SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 75, 29 March 1930, Page 22

SWIMMING

mv "HxjkDttr NATIONAL MEETING

SPLITTING OF CLASSES

OPPOSITION 1 LIKELY

It would appeal' tbat. the decision arrived at during the last conference, to split the national ehaanpionships into two classes —senior, and junior- and intermediate—is likely to meat with some opposition now that the matter has been re-, ferrcd to the affiliated centres. As a result of a discussion during the championship meeting at Greyiriouth the New Zealand Council -has asked that all delegates to that body should be instructed by their respective centres in which direction to vote on any notices of rriition that come before the controlling body. Such notices are circularised to all centres for discussion prior to the mooting of the council, and the local centre dealt with three of them at its recent meeting. It is learned that Wellington supports the splitting of the championships, and the attitude is easily understandable when it is known that the local centre sponsored the idea for many seasons. The proposal has found favour at the last two conferences of delegates, so much so that it was thought there would be little difficulty in bringing about the change during the nest season. It was anticipated that there would be no lack of applicants to the junior and intermecEate- championships, but such is not the case. Applications for the control of aext season's national championships were submitted by the Wanganui, South Canterbury,'and Manawatu Centres, but two want the senior grade and the other all the grades. The junior and intermediate grades alone are not wanted by either of the three centres, consequently the council cajled for applications for the latter championships, and the local centre lost no time1 in making its claim. It is understood that other centres are also in the field. Naturally with all the voting that become necessary to determine the locale orf each grade, the jjosition will become complicated, especially when there is an additional motion to consider in cor?junction with that named, i.e., that if one grade is held in the North North Island tl>e ether must be held in the South. As the position stands, it

would occasion no surprise if the majority of centres reversed' the voting of their delegates at conference. The championship would thus remain undivided i ti this case it may bo- found that Wanganui will bo the controlling centre next year. Hutt Valley Club.

The Hutt Valley Club is to be congratulated on its effort: of last Saturday in staging a school children's carnival for the scholars of the primary schools in their district. Competitors were numerous and enthusiastic,, with the result that competition was close and the racing interesting. The Eastern Hutt representatives were well to tho fore duriug the afternoon, winning the majority of events and filling several of the places, winding up with a substantial margin of points. Other schools, however, were also prominent, giving indications that in the future more successes will come their way Tho two championship events served to show up promising, swimmers in Miss S. Maftindale and D. Bertinshaw. : The former won the girls'' event in convincing style, having a good margin over her opponents at the finish, while the latter also scored a comfortable victory. Both will be heard of again. Other competitors likely to improve are Misses Simpson, Skinner, Beasley,. Pritchard, and Walker, and H. Gerhall, Phillips,' M'Kissock, and O'Brien. One feature noticeable was the straight swimming of- the contestants. Although the competitors in each event were stretched right across the bath, each kept a fine course, and on no occasion did interference spoil °.the chance of any swimmer. The success of the gathering will amply repay the officials of the club for their energies, and no doubt will lead to the formation of an organisation to I carry on the good work, similar, to that of the Wellington Primary Schools' Association. .

Cameron in Australia.

There are possibilities"that the u.\--Nuw Zealand spriut. champion. and recordholder, W. Cameron, will', be one of the team selected to represent Australia at the forthcoming British Empire Games'. Recent advices were to the effect that a special trial over 100 metres was to be held, and if Cameron was -successful, his chances of selection were rosy. At the Australian championships he just failed to win the 100 yards event, Soussari beating him by a touch in 65 2-osee.' Cameron is apparently just reaching form, and the result of the trial will be awaited with interest. His inclusion in the Australian team would be well received in New Zealand. . . ■ ■

Nordern Cup Contest.

Owing to' the lateness of .Easter, and the fact that the majority, of the tcam'vvill be absent participating in another branch of sport—football—the Northern Cup contest between Canterbury and- Wellington has been postponed until next-season. The arranging of a suitable date for this competition has always presented difficulties; Progress in Otago. ' ■ .

Mr. J. M'lndoo, president aud chairman of the Otago Centre, recently passed through Wellington. During a conversation the writer learned, that a very successful season had been experienced by the southerners, and that the sport was progressing in good style. Tho attendances at carnivals had been exceptionally satisfactory, proving additional interest on the part of the public. The possibility of Boy Calder being included in the team for the British Empire Games had been favourably received, Mr. M'lndoe estimating that the appeal for. funds on the diving champion's behalf would be successful. Water Polo,

The 'Maranui Club have been declared winners of the water polo competition for the season. They won all their games.

"A new type of backstroke evolved in England has aroused considerable interest among European. swimmers, for it is the claim of the inventor, H. Jones, that within one week of first trying it expert devotees of the orthodox stroke have been able to equal or better the times made with tho latter, "states an English writer. "He concludes, therefore, that all existing world's backstroke records wil] bo broken when his method ~. is adopted. The action of tho new stroke is described as follows: Assuming a supine position, the right arm .is extended above the head and tho left arm is

placed across the body to the right side, causing the body to dip slightly to tho right. Both arms are swept through the water simultaneously and across tho body to the left side, this time with the loft arm1 uppermost and tho body dipping to the left. Tho arms again are swept together through the water, then back across the body to the right side. Either the old backstroke kick or tho crawl leg drive can be used effectively with the now stroke."