Stopped, Then Swam On To Set Record

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31863, 16 December 1968, Page 32

Stopped, Then Swam On To Set Record

A. B. Kindred made I a thorough job of j breaking the 18min barrier for swimming’s longest event —the 1650yds freestyle—at the Coronation Pool yesterday, in spite of an unscheduled stop two laps from the end. Kindred stopped after swimming 43 lengths, but his coach (Mr V. T. Parkhouse) called frantically to him that he was short of his objective. In spite of the delay—which cost hint about ssec—Kindred swam on to complete the distance in the outstanding time of 17min 28sec. This effort represented an improvement of more than half a minute on his own national men’s short course record of 18min O.7sec, and

earned him the distinction of being the first New Zealander to break 18min for the event. His time compared favourably with the winning mark of 17min 25.95ec recorded by R. Jackson (Australia) at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston. Kindred, who is the national senior middle distance champion. maintained a strong stroke throughout his swim, covering each 110 yd in times ranging from 66sec to 70sec. He passed the half-mile mark in 9min 14.5 sec, which was faster than his own national record for this distance, but only his 1650 yd time was recorded officially. Kindred was taking part in the Canterbury centre’s time trial session, at which several other good efforts were recorded. The best swims were by two under-13 girls, Jaynie Parkhouse and Susan

Hunter, both of whom are favourites for titles at the national teleprinter finals next Saturday. Miss Parkhouse covered 440 yd freestyle in smin 20.8 sec to beat the New Zealand qualifying time, while Miss Hunter again beat the required time for 440 yd medley by recording 6min o.Bsec.