SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 124, 21 November 1931, Page 20

SWIMMING

RIGHT WEATHER

INCREASED ACTIVITY

A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK

If the weather of late is an indication of what the summer is to be like, a great season will be experienced. As has already been stated, there is a keenness among swimmens that augurs well, and from the numbers that have been observed at the various bays and beaches, together with the increased attendances at the baths, there is every reason to believe that the sport will come in for some of that patronage that adverse seasons reduced considerably. The warmth of the water has been freely commented upon; actually, the temperature is higher at the present time than it was at any time last season. This is a big factor in local swimming, which is practically all open-air, and, if conditions continue as they started, participants can have little room for complaint. Daylight saving is also proving of benefit, although the full hour would be more acceptable.

Activity is particularly noticeable in the smaller towns, happily possessed of swimming baths, where numerous bathers are availing themselves to. the full of the very favourable conditions prevailing. The Biddiford Baths at Lower Hutt are being extensively patronised, and, here also, the water is at a temperature that entices even the most timid. In preparation for the expected carnivals that will be held at these fine baths, improvements are being effected, especially in regard to the lighting, so that, by the time the national junior and intermediate championships come up for decision in January everything will be in tip-top order. Question of Grading, A suggestion was brought forward at the annual meeting of the "Wellington Centre- that "A" and "B" grades should be reverted to in respect to senior men swimmers. This system was tried out some years ago, but for some reason or other was allowed to drop. It may have been that the "A" class of swimmers was too limited to allow of much competition, but this would not apply nowadays. There are any amount of swimmers- who would qualify for this grade, taking last season's times as a basis, so that the objection could not actually be supported on facts. Of course, the grading is only intended to apply to the short races, of which quite a number are held during the season, and the number of entries received for these events has always been sufficient to allow of a grading. The new recruit to the sport probably feels diffident about starting in a short race when in receipt of what appears a liberal handicap, and the object should be to encourage rather than discourage him. This can be done by haying a."B" grade, wherein the limit handicap would not be great, and the competitor would be made to feel that he was not regarded as what might be termed a "hack." It is not forgotten that a little trouble occurred when this system was previously in force, resulting in disqualification in some instances, but this was due to incorrect times being furnished, and, naturally, if was to be expected that some action would be taken. This, however, should not prevent another trial being given to grading, especially as there appears to be new material available from the respective clubs. The entrant could be made responsible that any time furnished to the handicapper was correct (with a reasonable margin allowed for improvement), and would know the penalty that would follow if the information was false. The grading would also make for more even racing, especially if the "A" limit was made somewhere round about 32sec.

National Records.

The national records which follow are those to the credit of lady swimmers:—

50 yards, E. Stoekley, 28 2-ssec, 5/3/29, Auckland; 100 yards, E. Stoekley, 65sec, 27/3/29, Auckland; 100 metres, E. Stoekley, lrnin 11 4-osee, 27/3/29, Auckland; 150 yards, K. Miller, lmin 50 2-ssec, 1/4/30, Gisborne; 200 metres, G. Shand, 2min 53 4-ssee, 12/2/24, Christchureh; 220 yards, G. Shand, 2min 47see, 25/12/23, Auckland; 440 yards, K. Miller, 6min 6 2-ssee, 9/2/29, Wellington; 880 yards, K. Miller, 13min 54 3-ssee, 7/4/28, Christchurch; 100 metres (breast), G. Pidgeon, lmin 42sec, 4/3/30, . Auckland; 220 yards (breast), G. Pidgeon, 2min 35 3-ssec, 11/1/27, Auckland; 300 metres (breast), G. Pidgeon, smin 40 4-ssec, 27/2/30, Auckland; 400 metres (breast), G. Pidgeon, 7min 56 l-ssec, 20/5/30, Auckland; 100 yards (back), E. Stockley, lmin 16 2-ssec, 18/4/29, Auckland; 100 metres (back), E. Stoekley, lmin 24 2-ssec, 30/4/29, Auckland. Hardly had the men's records appeared in these columns last week before one of them was broken. This was the long-standing plunge record which had remained intact for many, years. The new honour goes to Carl Atkinson, now domiciled in Hawkes Bay, who was successful in adding two inches to the previous figures. This performance adds to the long list of successes gained by the ex-national champion, who, at different periods, has won every national title except diving. Possibly if he had gone in for that branch of the sport he might have won that, too! Notes. The Maranui Club is holding its official opening this afternoon. The Worser Bay club will follow suit next Saturday. In addition to the usual club races for members, a life-saving display will be given, while the evening will be devoted to a dance. All persons interested in the club are invited to be present.

Through the decision of the Eoyal Life-saving Sr iety's local head centre not to affiliate ivith the Swimming Association, Mr. J. M'Nie loses his seat on the association, although he has been re-appointed local officer and will thus retain some connection. Mr. M'Nie has served on the Swimming Centre for many years, filling the office of treasurer most of the time, and later being appointed to his present office. His services have always been freely given, and availed, of, and he has been one of the live wires of the sport ever since he has been associated with it. It is not expected, however, that he will be allowed to remain out of harness long, as he will probably, be asked to represent another club on the parent body ere long.

A. Hepburn, winner of last season's Kellerman Cup race, is in slow training again, and anticipates defending the title next year atTimaru. He has plenty of stamina, together with a suitable stroke for distance swimming, and later on may be found participating in the centre championships of half a mile and one mile.