Surf Life Saving More Six-man Events Needed At Carnivals

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30092, 28 March 1963, Page 17

Surf Life Saving More Six-man Events Needed At Carnivals

There were not sufficient six-man and four-man competitions at the provincial inter-club surf carnivals to get the Canterbury teams in top competition for the New Zealand championships, Mr F. Jackson, a former president of the national body, told members of the Canterbury Surf Life-saving Association last evening. Mr Jackson placed a prepared report on the season’s activities and a list of recommendations before the association. It was decided to forward copies of the report to all clubs, so that their delegates could report back to the next meeting and discuss it fully. “I have studied the four carnivals held this season and I am of the opinion that the composition of the carnivals can be improved to the benefit of the competitors.” Mr Jackson said. The lack of six-man and four-man competitions could well be the reason why few Canterbury teams had been rescue and resuscitation winners at the national championships in recent years. Not a Substitute

“I do not consider the competitions between two clubs are a satisfactory substitute as too often the competition lacks championship standards. “The second carnival had no rescue and resuscitation events at ail and the ridiculous position arose this year

that rescue and resuscitation events were held an tihe side to allow national nominee judges to mark cards. “I agree that carnivals must have public appeal, which rescue and resuscitation events do not give, but these events are the backbone of the movement and should be given more prominence,” Mr Jackson said. Mr Jackson recommended that six-man and four-man events should be held at every carnival if possible for seniors, juniors and women, and that non-championship events, other than rescue and resuscitation events, should be deleted from the programme He also recommended that other events such as surf ski relays should be deleted as championship events. “I think there is a lot in what Mr Jackson says,” said Mr P. T. Goosey. The association might not agree with everything he said, but the idea of having more six-man events was a very sound one. he said. The carnival programme had reached a stage where it required reorganising, said the carnival referee (Mr S. B. Mason). Most of the carnivals had developed into "marathons,” a situation which had been brought about by the increase of entries, he said. Ferry Officers The Union Steam Ship Company’s officers had been rather over zealous in carrying out their duties, the liaison officer for the Canterbury clubs which travelled up to the recent New Zea'and championships at Napier (Mr M. B. Restall) reported. He said that if there had been any trouble with the surfers it would have been due to their officiousness. As it was, behaviour was quite reasonable, although some of the juniors were a little high spirited on the way up, Mr Restall said. Final points for the Canterbury championship pennant were announced as follows: Waimairi, 80.5, 1; Taylor’s Mistake, 42, 2; Sumner, 38, 3; New Brighton, 34.5, 4; South Brighton, 27, 5; North Beach, 25, 6.