SWIMMING

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 140, 10 March 1938, Page 3

SWIMMING

Wellington’s Lack Of Tepid Baths CARNIVAL AT HUTT TO-NIGHT

(By

TRUDGE.)

Wellington swimming enthusiasts will be gratified to find an overseas visitor of the standing of Frank Beaurepaire emphasising Wellington’s lack of modern facilities for a 11-the-y ear-round swimming. The subject has been frequently ventilated in this column, but despite the fact that the public has been incessantly crying out for tepid baths nothing but promises has eventuated. , Until facilities are available in Wellington for winter training the province will not be able to produce swimmers of real championship class. Wellington swimmers cannot hope to match those of the rest of New Zealand when they can train only in a short summer season. Swimmers in other main centres have tepid baths at their disposal and are able to keep in training all the year round.

Wellington has many fine swimmers and a great number of premising youngsters coming along. Given adequate facilities for training there is every reason to believe that they would hold their own in competition with the Dominion’s best.

To-qight’s Carnival at Hutt. There should be a record crowd at Riddiford Baths, Lower Hutt, to-night when the Empire Games representatives, Jlisses Jlona Leydon. Gwen Rix and Joyce Jlacdonald, will, besides competing in special races, give demonstrations of their styles of swimming. These three began a tour of the North Island last Jlonday, receiving a great reception at Napier on Jlonday and . Hastings on Tuesday. To the many Hawke’s Bay swimmers they offered a great education in style. They appeared at Levin last night and will make their first appearance in Wellington at to-night’s carnival, which will begin at 7.45. An attractive programme has been arranged, variety being the aim of the promoters. There will be the 150yds. Wellington centre breaststroke championship, at present held by J. Williams, Lyall Bay club, the SSOyds. free-style championship and special events in which the visitors will compete, and the humorous side of the entertainment has not been overlooked. Special events have been arranged for the women. Jliss Leydon will compete in the 220yds. open handicap and Jliss Jlacdonald in the 66 2-3 breaststroke handicap. The exhibition dives by Jliss Rix should be well worth seeing. She is reported to have considerably benefited from the experience gained at the Games. Besides the grade handicap events and a relay a water polo match has been arranged in which Hutt will meet a team selected from Wellington. Hutt is the unbeaten team on the Weilington A grade championship ladder. The water polo will he played before the relay race. Among the competitors will be members of the New Zealand surf team who returned from Sydney on Jlonday. The visitors will leave for Taranaki by to-morrow’s express.

Pennington’s New Record. In lowering the 100yds. Wellington freestyle record to 57 at Saturday’s carnival, Frank Pennington swam a fine race. At one stage 11. Hatchwell seemed likely, but over the final lap Pennington exerted himself and left Hatchwell two yards behind at the final touch. It was Pennington at his best.

University Club Notes. The University Swimming Club has been particularly active this year. There have been splendid attendances at the club nights every Wednesday at Thorndon baths, and the club has also been well represented in outside carnivals. The next important event in the club’s year will be the inter-faculty swimming carnival to lie held at Thorndon baths

next Wednesday evening. A unique attraction at this carnival will be the appearance of Professor Ah Jlihk, a Yogi professor of occult science, who will perform a miraculous under-water escape from a sealed sack. Promising Young Swimmer.

Saturday’s carnival revealed one exceptionally promising young swimmer in Jliss C. Alexander, the 15-year-old girl who staged a determined tussle with Jliss S. Gotlieb in the final of the women’s 50yds. handicap. Jliss Gotlieb conceded her six seconds, but the champion was all out to snatch victory. Jliss Alexander possesses all the attributes of a freestyle swimmer if coached on the right lines.

Lost On Turns. A feature of the 440yds. Wellington provincial title race at Saturday’s carnival, in which Pennington again revealed his true capabilities by retaining the honour after a thrilling encounter with J. C. Blakeley, an ex-holder of the championship, was the tine race of P. R. Malthus. He swam with the others, but lost considerable ground on the turns. But for this weakness it is possible that he might have emerged the new champion. He has a good style and possesses the necessary pace.

Gala Day at Oriental Bay. The Y.JI.C.A. club will hold a gala afternoon nt Oriental Bay on Saturday week. Jlareh 19. At 2 p.m. the club colours will be presented on the beach by his Worship the mayor, Jlr. T. G. A. Hislop. A full parade ot all club members is requested. The single-man rescue competition for the Spencer trophy will be held. All club members who hold the bronze medallion are eligible for this event; dressed as for award of merit, they will swim 100 yards and tow the patient 100 yards ’ y two different methods. There will be beach, events, children’s races, a treasure hunt, canoe races and other novelties