Strength, depth of swimming increases

Press, 11 April 1978, Page 30

Strength, depth of swimming increases

By

KEVIN TUTTY

Eleven new records were set and two equalled in the final two days of the Wharenui junior “Olympics” at the week-end.

The largest swimming carnival in New Zealand — there were 184 events, many of them with heats — attracted record entries and according to the president of the Wharenui club (Mr D. W. Cain), the strength and depth of swimmers increased markedly on last season.

New Brighton emerged as a future force in Canterbury swimming. Its club spirit was tremendous and it had 60 swimmers in the relays on Friday evening. The relays were the highlight of the carnival, but because of the large entries

the races took more than three hours to complete. Mr Cain believes another period will have to be introduced for relays if entries continue to rise, or even remain static.

A trip across the Southern Alps proved worthwhile for a number of West Coast swimmers. Several returned home with wins and placings to their credit. Records broken at the week-end with the previous time in parentheses, were.— Boys.— Wharenui A, under 13 freestyle relay, 1:21.6 (1:22.6) Gary Grimshaw (New Brighton), under 15, 100 m backstroke, 1:11.5 (1:13.4). Girls.— Wharenui A, under 15 freestyle relay, 1:17.7 (1:20.4); Wharenui A,| under 15 medley relay,!

! 1:28.7 (1:31.5); Wharenui A, (under 12 medley relay, 11:42.8 (1:43.2); Kim Dewar (Wharenui), under 14, 100 m breaststroke, 1:23.9 (1:25.6); Jane Bishop (New Brighton), under 11 33 1/3 backstroke, 24.6 (25.9); Kirsten Mclntosh (Wharenui), under 10 4xl length individual medley, 2:2.6 (2:3.8). The Wharenui A girls’ under 13 freestyle relay team equalled the record with a time of Imin 22.65, and Sean O’Brien (Wharenui) equalled the record for the boys’ under 11 33 l/3m backstroke. His time was 25.55. Miss Mclntosh’s swim to break the under 10 medley record was a fine effort. The previous record was held by her accomplished club-mate, Rickie Binning.