Swimming

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 132, 30 November 1935, Page 24

Swimming

JAPANESE VISIT

DIFFICULTIES REMOVED

POSSIBLE NEXT SEASON

By "Header." The value of overseas tours has always been fully recognised by the authorities in New Zealand, and, although recent years have not been altogether favourable for such tours, due to general conditions, the New Zealand council has not allowed- this important phase of its activities to lie dormant, and from time to time overtures have been made in various directions. None of these was successful until last year, when the council was able to secure a short and hurried tour of part of 'the North Island and Canterbury by the noted French performers Taris and Poussard. The great success that attended the visit was ample evidence of the need for the periodical introduction of world-class performers,; and while it may be said that the visit! of leading swimmers from other than our own nation had attached to it an appeal distinct from that of former overseas visitors, yet there is no doubting that the public, as well as the swimmers, do appreciate1 the opportunity of viewing artists ranked amongst the world's best. • OPPORTUNITY IS THERE. It will therefore be more than interesting to learn of the success of the' efforts being made by the New Zealand ! Association to negotiate for the tour of a team of Japanese swimmers through the offices of Mr. S. Gudsell, who .is now in that country.. It is not expected that other than preliminary discussions will at present take place, but it can be definitely said that if the opportunity is there for the visit the council will riot hesitate to avail itself of it. The phenomenal success achieved by Japanese swimmers at the Olympic Games at Los Angeles is still fresh in the minds of sport followers, and, immediately following the Games representations were made, both by Australia and New Zealand, for a visit, but without success. The Japanese authorities were favourable, but as their swimmers were all young, .it was thought that the continued spell away from their own country would seriously interfere with their studies. This position is not believed to be so apparent today, with the result that further negotiation is being entered into. Naturally, should a tour be at all possible, it will, to a great extent, be dependent on the 'showing of the sons of Nippon at the Berlin Games next year, but close followers of swimming will know that there is every possibility that Japan will have a further run of successes. The progress that the sport has made in that country over the last few years has been amazing, and champions seem to topple yearly, with new ones coming to the front at each big meeting. A very strong team is being fashioned for Olympic representation. It would appear, therefore, that there will be no difficulty about the calibre of the swimmers for any tour; rather is it a matter of successful negotiation. May that come to pass. GOOD PROGRESS. Country clubs under the jurisdiction of the Wellington centre are making good progress, and all of them are hoping for a continuation of last season's fine conditions in order that they can go right ahead with their programmes. The close proximity of Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, and Featherston enables each club to function harmoniously at inter-club carnivals, and it has been observed that special attention is paid to the young swimmers with splendid results. In this respect the country clubs can teach the town clubs much,, and many of their carnivals are featured with races for the youngsters, which not only bring forth fine entries, but are productive of keen racing. These are the right lines on which to work, and the clubs are to be commended for framing their policies accordingly; Just when conditions appear favourable for a commencement of training, and swimmers are thinking of settling I down, the climate changes and winter I sports are more appropriate. It requires some courage to keep in the water, and competitors can hardly be blamed for feeling like giving the sport best. However, along comes another fine day, and off they start again. Almost two months have already been lost, and those with championship pretensions cannot afford to lose any more time. NOTES AND COMMENTS. W. Bell, who showed very promising form last season, is one of the few swimmers who has been in training for some time now, and, despite the conditions, has been putting in some good work. He already shows improvement, and can be looked to as^one who will be well to the fore in the decision of early events, particularly over the distances. Although only competing periodically during recent years* B. Gellate may take on the sport again seriously this season. He has been doing a fair amount of middle-distance swimming recently, and, if he concentrates on his training, should be able to reproduce the form that put him among the first flight of local sprinters. In his case it is more than likely that the spell has done good, and it is reasonable to expect that he will better any of his previous times. If appearances go for anything, Fred Mollier is the fittest swimmer in the city, and is sure to be on deck when the distance events come up for decision, particularly the harbour race. C. Claridge has been doing a lot of quiet training—more than he has been able to during recent seasons. He is attempting the "across the harrbour" swim again in the near future, and it should not present much difficulty if conditions are right. x