MIXED RECEPTION FOR SURF TITLES REPORT

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30191, 24 July 1963, Page 13

MIXED RECEPTION FOR SURF TITLES REPORT

QEVERE changes, wmen may have far-reaching effects, have been made in the constitution of the four Canterbury championship surf carnivals for next season. These changes, made on the recommendation of a special sub-committee of the Canterbury Surf Lifesaving Association, headed by a former national president (Mr F. H. Jackson), appear to have found more favour with older administrators and many surfers have received them with rather mixed feelings. Fortunately, the constitutional changes in the programmes will be given a 12month trial before they are adopted completely—a wise move in view of their radical nature. Because of the fast increasing entries, some alterations in the conditions governing the carnivals was obviously essential and credit must be given to Mr Jackson for being the first to take any definite action.

At the conclusion of the 1962-63 season, Mr Jackson placed some recommendations before the Canterbury Association after studying the four championship carnivals. As a direct result, a special sub-committee, consisting of Messrs M. B. Restall, D. J. Lyons, J. A. Lee, C. O’Neill and L. J. Tointon, with Mr Jackson as chairman, was set up and the new arrangements are the product of its findings.

One of its most important conclusions was that more six-man rescue and resuscitation events and more four-man alarm events would help Canterbury to reach a higher standard in national competition. Accordingly, seniors, juniors and women will have a sixman contest at each carnival and two four-man events during the season. Each will have championship status.

The team rescue events, which are usually long and drawn out and provide no indication to the public of which team is likely to win, will now form a predominant part of the proceedings. However, as two arenas will be used at each carnival, it will probably be possible to retain the public interest by holding the spectacular individual and craft events from one and the team rescue events from the other.

This situation will underline another problem which will have to be considered. It will be very surprising indeed if at some time a competitor does not have to choose between an event in one arena and an event in the other. This may affect the standard of the less spectacular team events, as a competitor could elect to compete in an individual event if he had to make a choice.

By restricting entries from each club to tour individuals in the belt events, two teams of four in the surf races, two teams in the surf relay races, two teams in the beach relays and four individuals in the beach sprints, the association has been rather too drastic. Few will bemoan the restriction of entries in the beach sprint, but the gains from restrictions in other

events are probably outweighed by the losses. By restricting entries in the surf races, the only “achievement” will be the detraction of interest from some of the most spectacular events on the programme. It takes just as long for 100 surfers to swim round a buoy as it does tor 50 and certainly no more officials need to be employed. Surprise wins are not uncommon in surfing, as some swimmers can deal with different conditions bettei than others. Restrictinj entries to four from eack club in the belt event; will minimise this. It will also deny possible championship winners from even competing. Last season, the Waimairi Club had at least six juniors who were al capable of winning the final It would have been a sac day if anyone of them hac been prevented from competing The loss of the surf sk relay races cannot be con sidered anything but a retrograde step It has beer extremely popular witt both spectators and com petitors for many years anc the sooner it is restored t< the championship pro gramme the better. One club in Canterbury has already lodged a forma objection to the report anc although its attempt to have it rescinded and referret back to the dubs failed, i should have at least beet enough to convince official that all was not well witt their decisions.

Nevertheless, if it has done nothing else, the "Jackson report” has at leapt highlighted the problems faced by the association, and surfers in Canterbury can rest assured that the championship programmes will be adjusted at the end of next season if necessary.