SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 138, 7 December 1912, Page 18

SWIMMING

(By "Header.") There has been much concern among a few swimmers in Wellington this week, and this is how it has been brought about. Most of them have been used to a "free and easy style" in connection with the management of local swimming matters. Therefore, when they saw notices to the effect that entries for to-day's carnival would close on Tuesday evening, they did not worry themselves a great deal, and thought, perhaps, what a long time it was between Tuesday and Saturday. Therefore, although they wanted to compete, they did not take the trouble of signihg their names there and then, but were content to wait— Wednesday would do, as the day after had done in the past. But this time Wednesday did not do, and consequently some are disappointed. They have nobody to blame but themselves. The 'notices were quite plain. The handicappers got to their work on the Tuesday night, and completed their task, and quite rightly objected very strongly to the inclusion of new names the next day, which were likely to upset their calculations. At the time of writing the Thorndon Club was very annoyed, because its B team for the relay race had not been handicapped, owing to_ the fact that the entry had been received too late. It had not then been finally decided whether the team would be admitted. However, the incident has taught a needed lesson. The handicappers objected strongly to handicapping a further team on Wednesday, and they intend to maintain a firm attitude in this direcijpn ott all future occasions. If this attitude had been adopted some time ago the present trouble would have been avoided. The Manly swimmers were gjven a most cordial reception on arrival in Wellington last Wednesday. The civic reception at the Town Hall was & big success, and 6ays much for the way it. had been organised by the secretary (Mr. H. C. W. Blick). The Mayor (Mr. D. M'Laren) was in a particularly happy mood, and he alone must have made the visitors feel how very welcome they were. Since Wednesday the members of the team have been frequent visitors to Te Aro Batlis, and their performances have created much interest. It was at once noticeable that Tod Solomons is swimming as well as ever. He rolls in the water as though he was using every portion of the body to assist in propulsion, and he has a remarkable leg-kick which is worth watching— and emulating, if possible. Hay has also given a sample of what he can dp. He has a lovely stroke, and his right arm action is similar to Stranger's. The hand is taken right round, and brought out of the water with a jerk. "Header" did not see him crawling. Riddington did not give promise of being a very quick sprinter, and he does not profess to be such. He is perhaps the neatest diver ever seen at the batlis. His headers off the board are as neat and clean as one could wish for. Remark must also be made of the initial dive and turning of both Solomons and Hay. Solomon's start must be worth quite a second or more to him. Here is something which can be learnt by local men to the greatest advantage. Solomons has brought news of an ex* citing contest which took place in Sydney last Saturday between the Sydney and Manly Clubs. The first event was a teams' relay race 6yer a mile course— seventeen men to swim 100 yards each, and the last man to swim 60 yards. Sydney won by 8 yards after a most exciting contest. Then there was a diving competition and a four-oar race. The victory at the conclusion went to Sydney. The last-mentioned item needs a little explanation, but as Solomons said to the writer, it is easier to explain it in the water than on paper. Four swimmers take to the water together, and each swimming on his breast, clinches hie legs round the body of the man behind. The three fronl men propel with their arms only, while the back man uses arms and legs. As may be imagined a good sped is obtained by a practised set. Such an event would be a good novelty for Wellington, and - will ( probably be tried before the Australians return. Novelties have always been very Bcarce at local carnivals, and the visitors would be doing a great favour if they taught us some of the Sydney variety. A snecia-1 point stressed by Solomons in an interview in The Post laet Thursday was the need of teaching the young. In Wellington this is not done to any great extent, except where the teachers are enthusiastic enough to give the spare time. Some of the classes at various schools attend the baths" regularly, and the teachers are doing good work. The example should be followed by all schools, and the subject should be treated as a compulsory one. Mr. T. Shields, who has always been a good friend to the boys at Te Aro, has not yet commenced classes this season, but intends to do so when, the weather improves. He complains, however, of the very little encouragement given, and mentions that certificates won for proficiency last year have only just come to hand— many months late. The New Zealand Council is responsible for the delay, which has caused so much inconvenience and disappointment among those children who were eager enough to qualify. The Swifts' Club takes some exception to remarks published last week, hinting, at the possibility of the dub making a poor start with this season's racing programme. This still seems highly probable, but "Header" said that a poor start was worse than no start at all. It is this remark they don't agree with. "If we had thought that last season," said one member, " we would not have done anything at all. As it is, we intend to stick to the programme drawn up, and. to do our best "under the circumstances." The programme is as follows:—10th December, 50yds; 17th December, 50yds B class (those who do "50" in 37sec or over); 14th January, 60yds handicap (first distance for Smith Cup); 21st January, 100 yds handicap (second distance for Smith Cup) ; 28th. January, 150 yds handicap (third distance for Smith Cup). Early in the season "Header" drew attention to the fact that considerable feeling was working up in swimming circles, and that "the little opposition which thinks itself so vast in importance was making itself felt." He referred to the "stabbing in the back" which had been noticed by all. The paragraph concluded : "It is tiring and monotonous, too, to hear them oppose everything, and give credit to nobody. The real enthusiasts get very weary of this sort of thing, and only this week a prominent member of the centre suggested resigning. He was tired of it." Now the crisis has come. Many of those prominent in the "opposition belong to the Maranui Surf Club. The Maranui Club had fixed its opening display for to-day, and did not see fit to postpone the function, just because the Australians were in Wellington. Mr. G. S. Hill (vice-president of the Surf Club) was appointed timekeeper for the carnival at, Te Aro tw-da\, but, in consequence of the Maraniii opening, he declined office. The centre thereupon elected a new timekeeper in his place, who was to act for both days. Mr. Hill states that ho was available for the second day, and is somewhat annoyed because his services , were not availed of. In consequence of a letter he received, the secretary has handed m his tesignation, which will be considered at a meeting of delegates next Wednesday.-