SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 65, 10 December 1930, Page 19

SWIMMING

By

“Plunge,” )

Breast-stroke .Certificate PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ TESTS To discuss the conditions of the breaststroke certificate a deputation from the Primary Schools Amateur Swimming Association waited upon th®. general executive of the Wellington Centre of the Royal Life-Saving Societv recently. Mr. Keen, headmaster of the Berhampore School, said it was the desire of the headmasters and staffs of the schools to encourage the art of swimming and lifesaving in the schools, but owing.to their numerous tasks they sometimes felt that they were over-worked. He thought that if it was possible for a teacher to undertake the examinations for the certificate and the headmaster to certify that the examination had been carried out by a teacher competent in that branch, and that the examination was in accordance with the regulations as laid down by the Royal Life-Saving Society, that would meet the position. ... Mr. H. R. Fisher said that it was the desire of the Primary Schools Amateur Swimming Association to assist tho Royal Life-Saving Society as much as possible, and he endorsed the views expressed by Mr. Keen. Mr. Barry, headmaster of the Newtown School, said that the suggestion offered by Mr. Keen was carried out by the Swimming Centre in regard to swimming certificates, and if the Royal LifeSaving Society agreed to these conditions then he felt sure,, that they would do their best to help in the very laudable object of endeavouring to get scholars to secure the certificate. Other speakers endorsed these views. The following resolution was unanimously approved by the executive committee : “That the headmaster of the school concerned in the procuration of the breaststroke certificate be empowered to endorse the application for the issue of the certificate to the effect that the examinations had been carried out by a qualified examiner and in accordance with the rules of the Royal Life-Saving Society, and further that in the event of the headmaster not being able to secure the services of competent examiners from his staff that the services of examiners of the Royal Life-Saving Society be secured.” Conditions Set Out.

The following are the .conditions under which the certificate is issued:— 1. The certificate shall be issued to anv boy or girl by the local head centre, who (a) is on the roll of any’primary school at the time of qualifying for the certificate; (b) shall swim 25 yards by the correct breaststroke with the frog kick (see page 41 N.Z.A.S.A. handbook) ; (c) shall 25 yards on the back with the hands on the hips and using the frog kick; (d) shall dive from the surface or from the side of the baths to a depth of not less than five ..feet of water for a suitable weighted object, weighing about 41b. 2. The local head centre shall from time to time appoint examiners, teachers preferred, who in the opinion of the head centre possess a proper knowledge of what constitutes a ‘‘correct breaststroke,” but who need not be qualified to examine for the ordinary awards of the society., charge is made for the examination or certificates. .4. Although it is required that the swim should be done at the one time, the council has no objection if the child is allowed a mintue or two to rest to recover breath between the two swims.

Nelson Shield Competitions. The Nelson Shield competition had been set down for a Friday at Wanganui. At a meeting of the Wellington Centre of the Royal Life-Saving Society strong exception was taken to holding the premier life-saving competition of the Dominion on such a day, as it was considered that Friday is recognised as a shopping day pure and simple, and that the people would not go to the beach to see a competition. ■ . - . _ Several members expressed the view that the life-saving competitions had been relegated to the background in favour of the swimming events. Objection was alsQ taken to the holding of the race for the Annette Kellerman Cup (three miles) on, the Saturday afternoon, when some of the competitors in this race would have to compete in the championship events in the evening. ' It was considered that the Nelson Shield should be held on either a Saturday .or a Sunday. The latter was preferred, as it was stated every section of the community recognised that life-sav-in- displavs were not merely sporting events, but were realistic manifestations of the efficiency of the various teams to help in case of drowning or disasters. Helen Madison May Visit Australia. The New South Wales Ladies’ Association is reported to be conducting negotiations for the bringing .out of the U.S.A, star, Miss Helen Madison. Miss •Madison has made a remarkable entry into the swimming world. Only sixteen years of age she first came into prominence in 1928. She showed such promise that the well-known coach, ay Doughters, took her in hand, and she went ahead like wildfire. She has broken eight world’s and six'American records oyer distances varying from 50 yards to a mile. Her'best tiines are: 50 yards in 26 2-5, 100 yards in 60 4-5, 100 metres in 68, 200 yards in 2.35, 500 yards in 66 2-5, and 50 metres in 31. Judged on her performances, Miss Madison is the best lady swimmer in the world to-day. Australia possesses no such versatile girl. Jean Cocks is a champion over the shorter courses, and her best tiines are a good way outside those of the American. Jean has done the 50 in 28 4-5, and the 100 in 64 3-5. Her time over the furlong is 2.41 4-5, and the 100 metres in 73 3-5. Jean, who is only 16 years of age. is likely to show a big improvement this season.