SWIMMING.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 77, 30 March 1912, Page 14

SWIMMING.

(By "Breast-stroke.")

In writing a resume of the past swimming season one would riot be. hampered . by excess of material. Rarely if "ever has. Wellington had such a.disappointing:. disappointing: period as that from November of last year to February of tbic. Tho con.dt-, tione, indeed, have been bad in many parts of Now Zealand, and ths set-back to swimming has been marked. Itt; Christchurch, tho tepid' baths had an appreciable effect on the sport, and this is ijot to bb wondered at. , Laet.week, 111 Chiiistchuich, the weatb. er was far from pleasant, and yet at five o'clock every evening every available diofceingroom in tho building wae occupied. This too, on days -alike wet or Hue. The' baths have- turned out, iff great success, and the Cbristchurch Qity Councillors ar<j beginning to congratulate themselyes oh what ie fojf Now Zaland an jpnbvatiou, and for their town, a sound commercial venture. Moreover, the' establishment is kept, scrupulously clean, and the water, changed * every evening, is au clear as it could well be. Undoubtedly Wellingon swimmers would appreciate such baths in this city, and perhaps in tho near future they (the baths) may materialise. t . ' Some time ago it .was stated in these columns that in the. opinion of the writer the tepid baths ■ were not. suitable for' the ; fiwimming'of the New Zealand Championships. This was on the authority of some well-known swimmers; both of the Canterbury town and of Wellington. After seeing the baths he is more' than eiver of that opinion. It surely stands to reason, that aay swimmei! used to salt water would feel as if he were in a' different element; in . the baths in question, and for various reasons. Firstly, the water is slow, and doeti not possess the buoy J ancy of salt water. ' Secondly, tlie baths are too small, 'and races like the half- ( mile and mile- were robbed of a great deal ot interest by ."having to be 'swum in heats., • Onß almost carry ou the objections to the proverbial' "sixteenthily"- or "seventesnthily" of .the' Free Kirk pastor, but a few more should suffice. When a number of swimmeis are getting through tlie water at a fair pace eacn makes a species of "bow-wave"* and each leaves a "wake." Coming back again, after doing the first lap (33 1-3 yards) they_ meet tnese troubled waters again, and it takes a very expert swim.' mer to keep his' hold dry. Perhaps tho chief reason- 'for the objection is, however, that the*, majority of competitors at a New .Zealand championship meeting .are used to swimming in salt water, registering their times in it, and training in it. Despite this 'attenuated grumble, there >s not ' the slightest reubon why local dubs and centres, tho members of which are aecustonu'fl to eucli baths, bhoukl. not hold o vents in them. Certain it Is, that m ChustuliUfuii they have doim a great deal fpr the gjjort, aud will yet .do ju'jre*