NEW ZEALAND SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Evening Star, Issue 17484, 15 October 1920, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Otag-o Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association have now commenced to organise their resources for the above meeting, which will take place during Carnival Week in February next. It is expected that there will be somewhere in the vicinity of 300 visiting swimmers from all parts of New Zealand, included in which there will be the champions of both 6exes from the different provinces. The Dominion schools' championships are now included in this fixture, making it much more interresting to parents and their children. The Wangamii team have already signified their int-ention of competing, which serves to indicate the keenness of the North Island in this important branch of sport. The various events covered by the national championships are the 100 yds, 220 yds, 440 yds, j-mile, one-mile, free-style distances, the 220 yds breast stroke, and the 150 yds back stroke. In addition, the national diving championship will be decided, and the usual keen contest for the water polo banner. This is at present held by Canterbury, but it is anticipated that Ota-go will b9 able to put a good team in the water for this event. The ladies' championship' distances are 100 yds and 440 yds free-style. It is confidently anticipated that Miss Violet Walrond. who is now returning from Antwerp, wheTe she has been representing New Zealand -at the Olympic Games, will be defending her title as holder of these two championships.

The junior championships, which are confined to children under 14 years of age, comprise the 100 yds and 440 yds for boys, 50yds and 100 yds for girls. The New Zealand intermediate championships, confined to competitors under 17 vears of age, are intended to reach that class of competitor between the junior and adult stage. The events under this group consist of the 100 yds, 220 yds, and 880 yds free-stvle for boys, and the 75yds and 100 yds for girls.

During this meeting the life saving ohampionship of New Zealand for the Wigra.ni Shield will be contested, and also tne surf competition for reel teams will be held on the beach at St. Clair, and it i* understood that the St. Clair Club will take •an active part in this competition, the winners of which will become the holders of the Nelson Shield for the ensuing vear. The Canterbury team were successful" in winning this event at Auckland last vear. and can be relied upon to provide a first-c'aps team again. The whole series of championships will provide the public with a. natatorial exhibition not previously equalled in Dunedin