SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 131, 27 February 1929, Page 8

SWIMMING

(By

“Trudge.")

Unnecessary Work.

During the New Zealand life-saving competitions held at Lyall Bay recently the task of the jqjj;:es and officials was greatly increased by the intricate system used of awarding points. The officers, whose work it was to compare the sheets of the several independent judges, and to arrive at the final allocation of points, soon became entangled in the arithmetical problems and minute fractions W’hich required hard work to elucidate. The system of pojnts in New Zealand championship contests should certainly be simplified, especially in view of the fact that the officials in New Zealand championship contests are not paid accountants, but voluntary workers. Much of the hard work is really unnecessary. Tin-Tacks.

The Walrus and the Carpenter went walking on the sand. “Let us,” said the Walrus, “get down to tin-tacks. What do you really think of this business of trying to swim Cook Strait?” The Carpenter considered. "It is a great test of endurance,” he said. “Agreed,” said the Walrus, “but is endurance all that the art of swimming can achieve? Of what earthly use is it to be able to swim, Cook Strait?” The Carpenter stared. “Of what use, then, is competitive swimming?” he returned. “Endutance counts in a mile event, too.” “Admitted,” said the Walrus, “but speed and skill count just as much in competitive events. Ability in the water is to be admired, and swimming is a noble art. But long distance swimming, such as across Cook Strait, reduces the art to vulgarity, like dancing for a week on end, or eating pies in a combat. The trouble is, this is a recordbreaking age, and we are getting our sense of values mixed.” The Carpenter rubbed his chin. “Well, you have got me thinking,” he remarked. “That is good,” said the Walrus. A Fatal Flaw.

Curious how one fatal flaw in swimming records lias been overlooked even by officials (says the Sydney "Bulletin”). Re-cord-holders claim to swim, say, the 100 yards under sGsec. The trouble is they don’t swim 100 yards. Jumping off a board with the Impetus of a dive reduces the actual distance swum by at least three yards. Cyclists, runners, and scullers have to negotiate the full distance without the advantage of n flying start. Until swimmers fall into line with these athletes and swim the full course all the so-called records are just foolishness. Notes.

By covering 400 yards in smin. 5 3-ssec., the brilliant fourteen-year-old Sydney girl, Jean Cocks, has recorded the .fastest time over this distance that has yet been registered In Australia or New Zealand. Last season she swam 220 yards in 2min. 48 3-osec., but it was an unofficial performance, and could not be recognised as a record. This season she bettered the record by swimming 220 yards In 2min. 47 l-10sec. She won the women's 130 yards championship of New South Wales in ,1 min. 45 l-ssec.—only l-ssec. outside Gertrude Ederle’s world’s record, established at Bermuda in 1922. Bonnie Mealing swam back-stroke in the same race, and her time for the 150 yards was Imin. 58 sec. —a world’s record. Bonnie swam last in the event—but it was a marvellous swim. Victoria Is acclaiming a potential Weissmuller in young Dudley Trood, a Glppsland giant. He got over 90 yards in three laps at the Sale baths the other day in 52sec. dead—excellent time for a comparatively raw novice. Just on six feet, he turns the scale at 13 stone. It is expected that he will win the State sprint