Clash Of Dates For Pool And Surf Swimming

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29004, 19 September 1959, Page 5

Clash Of Dates For Pool And Surf Swimming

THE clashing of dates of the New Zealand swimming championships at Blenheim and the national surf titles at Gisborne in February next year has created a problem for many of this country’s leading swimmers which should not have occurred. The lack of co-operation between the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association and the New Zealand Surf Life Saving Association does neither body credit. The effect of the two meetings on the same dates means that many of the country’s swimmers will have to choose between loyalty to their team at a surf club and their personal desires to achieve success as individuals in Pool swimming. The sports are very closely allied, and there are very few top swimmers who do not indulge in surfing. In Canterbury alone, a rough check has shown that there will be 13 swimmers affected by the coincidence of dates, and similar numbers are probable in other Provinces. The surf association apparently does not intend to alter the date of its meeting, and at the meeting °f the New Zealand Swimming Association's council last week, the attitude was one of disinterest. It appears that both bodies wish to have a trial of strength, but the persons who are going to

suffer are the swimmers and not the officials who make the decisions. The essence of surf life saving is that it builds up team spirit and' is remarkably free from the fierce competition and jealousies which sometimes arise in pool swimming. On this count alone,

several of Canterbury’s top swimmers have indicated they would sooner not let their surf team down in favour of attempting a national pool title. If the dates remain unchanged, there will be titles changing hands at both meetings that might otherwise not have been won.