SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 73, 19 December 1935, Page 18

SWIMMING

National Championships Programme COMPLETE LIST OF EVENTS General Notes and Comments

(By

Trudge.)

The programme of events for the New Zealand senior swimming championship meeting to be held in Dunedin on February 15, 17, and 10, has been finalised, and the complete order of events will be : Saturday, February 15. —100yds. men s championship, 220yds 1 . women's championship, 220yds. men's breaststroke New Zealand championship, one mile men's New Zealand national championship, men's diving championship (first section : compulsories, all from 10ft. board—No. 3a, somersault, forward running; No. 9. pike dive, backward; No. 13a, Tsander running; No. 18, backward spring, one somersault, standing; No. 23, pike dive with half-screw, running) ; women’s diving championship (first section : cotnpulsories, all from 10ft. bodrd —No. 3a, somersault, forward, running; No. 9, pike dive, backward; No. 13a, Tsander running) ; water polo championship (rounds) ; 100yds. men's inter-club handicap; 66 2-3yde; women’s inter-club handicap; 50yds. intermediate and junior boys’ and girls’ handicaps. Monday, February 17.—220yd5. men’s championship; 440yds. womens championship; 100yds. women’s breaststroke championship; SSOyds. men’s championship ; 150yds. men’s backstroke championship; women’s diving (second section: three voluntary dives from either board) ; water polo championship (rounds) ; 133 l-3yde. interprovincial scratch relay (four-a-side) ; 33 l-3yds. junior and intermediate boys’ and girls’ handicaps; open plain scratch dive (running «and standing, from 10ft. board). Tuesday, February 18.—Annette Kellerman Cup harbour race at Macandrew Wednesday, ’ February 19.—440yd5. men’s championship; 100yds. women’s championship; 220yds. women’s breaststroke championship; men’s diving championship (second section: five voluntary dives from either board) ; water polo championship (final) ; 50yds. invitation scratch race; 500yds. flying squadron inter-centre relay (teams of five) ; 50yds. women’s invitation scratch race; 100yds. medley inter-club handicap (breaststroke, backstroke, and free style) ; 133 l-3yds. primary schools* mixed relay handicap (two boys aud two girls under 14 years of age). The arrangements for entertaining visiting swimmers are well in hand, and, judging from the support the Otago swimming centre is receiving from Dunedin citizens, the championship meeting should prove a highly-successful and memorable one for both centre, officials and visitors.

Saturday’s Muddle. The muddle at Te Aro Baths last Saturday for the opening ceremony of the season was most unfortunate, particularly for the various clubs and their members. So far as can be gathered, no definite hour was fixed for the function, the majority presuming that the time would be 3 p.m., and at this hour fully 120 men were turned away from pie baths, the time for men’s bathing having expired. The Wellington centre strongly criticised the action of the City Council at its meeting last Monday, but actually was the council or its officials entirely at fault? Did not the Wellington centre show some laxity in taking matters for granted? Why were not arrangements made to see that the baths would be available until at least 4 o’clock? If due notice had been given, there is no doubting that the Director of Parks and Reserves would have conceded some latitude. Undoubtedly, the City Fathers have much to learn respecting the wants of local swimmer's, but respecting last week’s muddle, one cannot entirely blame the council. ' The centre was as much at fault with its laxity, and must take its fair share of the blame.

Concentrating on Sprinting. Keith Thwaites, Hataitai Club, is wisely coueentrating on sprint swimming this season and is malting noticeable progress. He will not be a competitor for the 880yds. centre championship, but will compete in the 50yds., 100yds., and 220 yds. titles, when t’hey come up for decision. He is developing the Jean Taris style and as a result is reducing his times. Thwaites is going to be heard of again when the centre sprint titles are decided.

Lyall Bay’s Porangahau Visit. The Lyall Bay Surf Life-Saving Club has definitely accepted the invitation to send two life-saving teams to give demonstrations) on the Porangahau beaeli on January 1 and 2. Club members are enthusiastic over the trip and it is pleasing to state that every member of the team which won the New Zealand lifesaving championship last season will be available. Both teams' will be under the charge of the club captain, Pete C'oira, who is among the best known and most popular swimming officials hi Wellington. The party will leave by bus on the evening of New Year’s Eve and will be the guests of the Porangahau Club while in Porangahau. There is every possibility of the Te Awa Club (Napier) also sending a team and the demonstrations between both clubs should be of an exceptiouiilly high standard.

Plank Joins Wellington Club. D. Plank, holder of the Wellington provincial 50yds. championship, has severed his association with the Maranui LifeSaving Club and joined the Wellington Amateur Swimming Club. It is essential that a member of a life-saving cluo should bold the silver medaliou after a certain period of membership, aud as Plank cannot find the necessary spare time to devote to life-saving he thought it best to withdraw his membeiship of the club aud swim for Wellington. Plank is swimming well at present and although he seems mbit sanguine respecting his prospects iu retaining his title he should nevertheless be very difficult to beat. He will certainly find strong opposition in Thwaites aud Pennington.

Pennington’s Prospects. , F. Pennington. Wellington Club, has been clocking some really smart times. He is the type of swimmer who should perform well in all distances. His prospect* this season of collecting a tree-style championship or two are bright. Not Defending Titles. Jack Blakeley, the present 100yds., 220 yds.. 440yds. and 880yds. Wellington champion, stated on Saturday that he would not be 'participating in the sport on the competitive side this season, and thus would not be defending bis titles. He has quite enough to do as handicapper to the centre. Blakeley is a good judge and should fill his new post with the greatest of satisfaction to competitors. To Visit Sydney. Walter Jarvis, the New Zealand 100 yds. and 220yds. free-style title holder and champion beltman of the Dominion, and Peter Jiatbiesoii, national 15O.vds. backstroke champion and record holder for 150yds.. 200 metres and 400 metres backstroke, have both been invited to compete at the New South Wales State championships in Sydney on January 4. 8 and 11. Both swimmers have accepted the offer and as the Approval of the New Zealand Council i* practically assured, they will leave by the Wanganella on December 30 for Sydney. They will return in time to represent Otago at the national senior championships for the Yaldhursl Shield. A Fin? Performance. The finest performance of the handicap harbour race for the .Wai Wai Shield, by

which the Ponsouby (Auckland) Club commenced open water activities lor this season last week was achieved by the New Zealand distance! woman champion. Miss Mona Lcydon, whose feat in recording fastest time (16.45) promises well for a continuation of record-breaking swims by her. R. Buchanan was only usee. behind Miss Lcydon. Tire winner of the race, K. Buchanan, a first-year intermediate, who celebrated his 15th birthday the same week as the race, demonstrated by his victory that lie possesses abundant stamina, the foundation on which lie may eventually develop into a first-class distance swimmer. His time was 20.24 —an excellent performance. Harbour Swim Next Sunday? Owing to the rough 1 nature of the harbour last Sunday C. E, Claridge refrained from fulfilling his intentions of swimming across it, but given more favourable conditions next Sunday lie should set out in the morning to endeavour to achieve hin object. Botli Carl Eversleigh, Maranui clul), and Derek Plunk. Wellington club, were to accompany Claridge on part of the journey last Sunday, and both are again prepared to take the water as soon as “Stump” sets out. It is understood that Claridge plans to swim from Bastbourne to Wellington. Asked on Monday his plans, Claridge said that ho would make the attempt on (lie “first fine Sunday.” Knowing timt he is anxious to make the cross the harbour before’the New Year, aud witli only two Sundays left, it seems assured that given favourable conditions Claridge will take tlie water on next Sunday morning from probably Eastbourne, finishing at a point in 'Wellington yet to be decided.