SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 16, 19 January 1921, Page 2

SWIMMING

WORLD'S LADY CHAMPION

TO APPEAR IN WELLINGTON.

The world's lady champion swimmer, Miss E, Bleibtrey, who is at present'on a tour of tbe Dominion, passed through Wellington last evening, imd the opportunity was taken by Mr. A.; Mariyatt,. chairman of the New Zealand .Olympic Council to arrange fot- an exhibition by Miss Bleibtrey in Wellington, at the conclusion "of the tour. Accompanying the swin.mer. are Mrs. Bleibtrey,, a, friend, and Mrs. Batchelor, who is managing the tour on behalf of the' New Zealand Swimming Council. . The party arrived by the express from .Napier, and was met at the'station by members of the | Olympic Council and the chairman of ths 'Wellington Swimming Centre. Before proceeding- South by the ferry, steamer, the visifors^were, entertained at -dinner by the Olympic Council.' . - ■■...., ;■: ' ■

Mr. Marryatt stated to-day that, as a result of the interview last evening, a (fete has!» been arranged for Miss Bleibtrey's. appearance in Wellington: Tho champion is to arrive here;.on Tuesday, the Ist February, and-will swim, at Te Aro Baths on the afternoon of Wednesday, the 3rd February. If the weather is unfavourable, the; event will. take place at the Tepid Baths in 'he evening. This fixture will stand provided that the Sydney steamer does not sail before Thursday of that week. J... : .' It is proposed to celebrate the occasionby a carnival. ; In order to give added interest, \the Wellington Ce'ntre^is.vpbstponing the departure of its team for the New Zealand championships, and the Life-Saving Society's team is also being held, back to unite in making the' carnival a notable' one. Thess teams are competing, at 1 Dunedin on the sth February. Miss Bleibtrey wishes to swim in* an invitation distance race, and in'addition jihe lady champion will give exhibitions of diving and swimming,, which have been very popular in.other parts :ot the Dominion. The net proceeds .of the carnival, after paying tSe Swimming Club's share, will be divided-between tlie Olympic Council and the Wellington Swimming Centre, the latter portion to jo towards the expense of sending ' a team to the Championships. , » \ .

1 NEED OF COACHING.

i In conversaion with Mr.' Marryatt, the 'lady champion some interesting ■observations regarding swimming in New Zealand. What had impressed her chiefly during her tour through thl North Island was the splendid material, available; particularly in -the way of girl swimmers. It appeared to her,'hojwevey, that theie was nobody to show.the girls th.3 finer points of swimming. It would be of. value,', should'a similar tour/be arranged: at a later date, to have a, coach with the visiting swimmers in order to lend assistance in the direction of advice.; Miss Bleibtrey regretted that a coach: was not accompanying . lier on this occasion, as many. valuable hints might'have been given to New Zealand 1 swimmers. ■/.

».The~^vi^}tor mentioned that while at the Olympic Games, looking at the lady competitors; she immediately singled out Miss V. Walrond, the New representative; as being the only swimmer having tlie correct style.- ■ In the hands of a competent coach Miss Walrond would turn out to be one of the best of swimmers..- • -.- ■„' '■.'.■•? , '■■ - :