FEWER TO SWIM?

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32127, 24 October 1969, Page 13

FEWER TO SWIM?

Restricted Titles Only two heats will be held for most events at the national swimming championship if an Auckland more at the annual meeting of the New Zealand association in Christchurch this week is successful. Auckland has proposed that the best times of swimmers shall be submitted with entries so that two preliminary heats can be arranged, except in the 800 and 1500 metres in which only one heat would be held.

In a similar attempt to improve the competitive standard, the championships committee of the national association has proposed that all divers wishing to compete in the New Zealand titles will have to average 5.5 points a dive in a series of specified dives before three centre judges. A satisfactory dive is considered to be worth five to six points and to compete at the championships it is felt that a diver should be able to perform every dive in a satisfactory manner. The committee also proposes that all events at the i championships shall be [ changed from yards to metres, !to bring New Zealand in line | with world trends. ! Bay of Plenty will seek to 1 have future New Zealand agegroup championships held in 55-yard or 50-metre pools. The I centre believes that age- ; group finals bring together the top seven or eight swim--1 mers who are entitled to the best facilities.