SWIMMING

Evening Star, Issue 19699, 28 October 1927, Page 12

SWIMMING

[By Hooker.]

COMING EVENTS. November s.—Beach Day at St. Clair. November 7.—Dunedin Club’s carnival. November 24.—Kiwi Club’s carnival. December B and 10.—Otago Championships. January 21-27.—New Zealand National Championships at Dunedin. KIWI ACTIVITIES. Despite the bitterly cold weather and tho fact that Monday was a holiday, tho Kiwi Club’s hour ou Labor Day was attended by over twenty members, and some good work was indulged in by a number of those present. Miss Kathleen Miller, New Zealand ladies’ 220yds and 440yds champion, who is ladies’ captain of tho Kiwi Club, was iu attendance, and did a lot of useful slow work, followed, by one or two sharp sprints. Miss Miller is moving well, though slio appears, to have altered her stroke a little since last season. Though she may not bo quite at her best by tho date of the Otago championships, Miss Miller should be in fine fettle for tho New Zealand championships in January, and whoever wishes to wrest her titles from her will have to move very fast. Miss Miller got very close to Miss Gwitha Shand’s 440yds record of 4min Bsec last season, and before the present season is brought to a close sho should make those figures shiver with apprehension. W. Boyd did some medium-fast work, and "thou one speedy length of the baths, and on present form ho should lv a contender for Otago honors over the shorter distances. At the Dunedin carnival Boyd and L. Pitliie will probably contest tho life-saving event, and on present form they shoukl go well together. Boyd was diving well, hut the writer believes he would do better were ho to take a longer jump on the board in running dives.. Pithio was moving nicely on the breast-stroke, and in tho absence of G. B. Lewis seems to have a good chance of annexing tho provincial 220yds breast-stroko championship. He is capable of round about 3min 20sec for the furlong, and before the championships are decided should be able to improve on this time. Towards tho end of last season D. Short showed to some advantage ,iu open handicap events, and judging ou tho form he showed last Monday night Short should bo a useful addition to the Kiwi relay team this season. He has a long reach and fairly powerful stroke, and is a swimmer capable of improvement with a little handling. O, Holland, one of the most promising intermediates iu the club, did some very fair work on the diving boards, and the writer believes that with coaching ho would be worthy of representing Otago in tho intermediate diving championship. Holland has a fair flight, and, though as yet he is lacking in finish, he is game, and will have a try at any dive ho may bo set. Ho is worth persevering with. Of the juniors Miss P. Taylor was training steadily, and will have to be reckoned with in all junior girls’ events during tho season. WHITE ISLAND SWIM. Auont tho remarks that appeared in this column a fortnight ago concerning tho proposal of a swimming enthusiast to offer a trophy valued at £SO to tho first person to swim to White Island, “Swimmer” writes:— “ I read your remarks regarding the White Island swim with considerable interest, and, while agreeing with you that the suggested trophy would do something in the way of encouraging long-distance swimming I cannot see that it will benefit the sport as a whole. Some swimmer may take all day to get there, hut if he Is the first to succeed, thou tho trophy becomes his property, and £SO is gone. What lasting good.Veliki ifc do the sport? Very little, as far as I can sec.

“ Now, I have a suggestion to make that may appeal to the donor of thin trophy. If he wishes to expend £SO in the encouragement of swimming, why not spread it over the various clubs for some useful purpose, which he could lay down—say £5 to each club—and tho balance ho could donate to tho centre, which at present is in need of a trophy for water polo competition By following my suggestion swimming as a whole would benefit, and I trust that the St. Clair Club. who. I believe are the agents through whom the offer was made, will bring before the donor of tl.o .proposed trophy the suggestions made in my letter.”

“ Swimmer’s ” letter is certainly to the point, and in tho event of tho proposal referred to reaching a further stage consideration of the suggestions made by “ Swimmer ” might he given by those concerned. Should it he decided to go on with tho presentation ot tho trophy for the White Island swim, then the writer is of opinion that the best course to pursue would be to award it to the swimmer who during the present season recorded tho fastest time in swimming to White Island, the time in the various instances to be taken by timekeepers approved of by the centre. By awarding the trophy in such a manner it would represent a performance, of distinctly more merit than swimming to White Island merely by powers of endurance, with no test of speed DUNEDIN DOINGS. About thirty members attended the Dunedin Club’s night at the Municipal Baths last Friday, but the weather was far from tempting so far as swimming .was concerned, and many seniors were absent. An absentee was “Ginger” Bromner, a promising swimmer,. who would he an asset to his club if ho took his training more seriously. G. Standring, who was another of the absentees, is a swimmer who is developing a very powerful throw with the polo ball Many new members are keeu ou diving. Miss.Eggers is one of them, and she is getting the rough edges knocked off by E. G. James. She should develop into a good diver, for she is not afraid to, try them all out. Miss D, Foote, wdio was runner-up to Miss M. Morrison in the Otago ladies’ diving championship last season, commenced training again last Friday, making a promising beginning. Miss Foote promises to be well up to championship standard this season, and is a likely competitor at the New Zealand championships. . Miss Foote shows great promise, and if she trains hard she may emulate her sister, Mrs T. Thompson (nee Miss M. Foote) in bringing the ladies’ diving championship to Otago once again. A promising junior diver is young Mathieson. jlo is very game, and is not afraid to have a try at the hard stuff. He should make a good diver with a little coaching,-

The Dunedin Club’s membership is gradually and it looks as if the present seaVni will bo the D.A.S.C.’s best for some years. Special attention is being paid to junior members, and it is pleasing to note that free membership is being granted to primary school children. Water polo and team’s relay events are omitted from tho Dunedin Club’s carnival programme on account of the early date of the carnival, and tho consequent result that competitors are not yet quite up to standard. WATER POLO IN AUCKLAND. A member of tho Waitomata Amateur Swimming Club last week expressed the opinion that water polo is not so popular with tho public as it should be. This is true, but the public appreciates a good game, as was shown in tho case of the final between Auckland and Canterbury last January for the New Zealand water polo championship. This match was the most exciting and tho finest exhibition of the game seen in Auckland for some time. The spectators thoroughly enjoyed the game, the excitement and enthusiasm displayed equalling that at football matches. Providing local club teams give interesting and spectacular displays the game is certain to receive the support it deserves from the public (says the Auckland ‘ Herald’)._ This season there should bo no scarcity of club teams. Five clubs now exist in Auckland, and each should Ire able to provide at least one team, while it is possible some will enter two teams in the competition. The of daylight saving will give a great impetus to the sport, as players will be able to pay more attention to practice and develop tho finer points of the game. Last season in Auckland intcrolub matches wore often robbed of interest by tho assembling of teams at the Inst moment, and consequently there was no understanding or combination between players. Again, at times, there was displayed a marked ignorance of tho rules, and the position a referee bolds in a match. Some players have the habit of trying to see how best they can outwit the referee, and not bow they can defeat their opponents by legitimate means. . If a competition is to be run on successful lines those failings must be overcome. In Auckland there are water polo referees of first-class ability, only too willing to render service, but in eontrolling a game they expect to have the co-operation of the players and to have their decisions accepted. THAT TRAINING HOUR. With the Otago championships only about six weeks distant the centre has as yet bad no word from tho City Council in regard to a training hour being allotted two or three times a week for likely representative swimmers, but it is to be hoped some advice on the matter will have been received before the centre meets next week. _ With the New Zealand championships being decided here in January it might be thought that the City Council would do all in its power to assist the local swimming centre towards being fittingly represented at the fixture, but the lethargic manner in which the City Council has evidently considered the centre’s application hardly justifies the assertion that the civic authorities arc very desirous of helping on swimming in Dunedin. _ Swimmers with championship aspirations require more specialised training than can be obtained in the ordinary crowded pool and that is why this centre training hour has been asked for. Swimmers are urgently awaiting it, and should it bo granted the centre will take steps to see that only swimmers with genuine chances of representing the province at the New Zealand championships will be allowed to train during this hour.

DUNEDIN CARNIVAL OFFICIALS. The officials for the Dunedin Club’s carnival on November 7 have been appointed as follows: Local officer, Mr D. Bannatyno; referee, Mr 11. H. Henderson; judges— Messrs W. H. Saunders, E. G. James, and G. Cakler; diving judges—Messrs E. G. Janies, W. H. Matthews, and W. Jenkins; megaphonist, Mr D. Bannatyno; check starter, Mr 11. V. Jerrcd; time-keepers—Messrs E. J. Thomson, T. Fogg, and T. I’. Williamson; press steward, Mr B. Pinfold; starter’s steward, Mr N. Sutherland; competitors’ stewards—Messrs R. Henna, B. Haig, and W. Jepson; ladies’ stewards, Mrs Jepson and Miss N. Fleming; starter, Mr W. Jenkins. Y.W.C.A. MOVEMENTS. The Y.W.C.A. Club has commenced tlio season with a “Learn To Swim Week” at the Municipal Baths. A. squad of’ teachers received instruction at tho Y.W.C.A. and the Municipal Baths last week, and during tho present week each one handled a group of novice swimmers. Classes were held for beginners and improvers, and the enrolment left little to bo desired. Following tbo “ Learn _ To Swim Week,” the club for swiming and instruction will meet once a week throughout tho summer, and it might be well worth the while of the Otago Centre approaching tho Y.W.C.A. authorities with a view to the club affiliating with tlio local governing body. Affiliation to tho Now Zealand Amateur Swimming Association would bo beneficial to all concerned. SPLASHES. The Dunedin Club’s carnival should provide a good night’s entertainment on November 7. Intending competitors should forward their entries early, the closing date lor entries being Friday, November 4. ~ The water polo goal posts are nearing completion, and should bo up for training purposes next week. They require painting yet, and have still to bo rigged at the rear with wire-netting. A junior boys’ race is not included on the Dunedin Club’s carnival programme, but since it has been out many inquiries have been made in regard to this event, which tho writer thinks might be included with advantage. Tho various club secietaries could be notified to that effect, and entries obtained from their junior members.

The Kiwi Club is doing its best to sort out a representative polo team to take part in the interclub games during the season, and already a number of players have been asked to train ■vitb a view to inclusion in the club’s side. The club should be able to field quite a fair team from such swimmers as W. Boyd, R. Hector, Pithie (2), H. D. Gillies, * R. Kenna, D. Short, T. Harland, 0. Holland, Gedge, and Armishaw, who are among those from whom the side will be finally selected.

Otago divers will have an advantage over competitors from other centres in the New Zealand diving championships this season, as they will be thoroughly accustomed to the hard and heavy boards used in Dunedin. Divers who practice on springy boards wilLomki

al)ly have difficulty in adjusting themselves to the hard boards hero. Weight is a decided asset to a diver, as he or she is then able to extract tho maximum amount of spring from the board. Tho local boards have in the past favored the heavier competitors. H. D, Gillies, who was captain of the Kiwi Club last season, has boon an abiQ- toe from tho club’s training night so far on account of his studies, but lie is managing to spare time during the day for training, and will probably bo seen out in sprint handicaps during the coming season. Tho Otago Centre’s polo referee for the current season is H. V. Jerred,of whom there is no more capable in New Zealand. Several times lately the writer lias referred to the opportunity afforded the centre of availing itself of Mr Jerred’s services as the coach of the probable representative water polo team, and it is pleasing now to see that tho centre is getting into touch with the various clubs with a view to sorting out players tor special training under Mr Jcrrod’s guidance. The national meet is drawing closer, and no time should bo wasted in putting Mr Jerred in complete charge of the water polo squad. Otaco can hardly be expected to win the New Zealand water polo championship, hut with such coaching as tho old Canterbury crack can impart it should ho able to make quite a creditable showing provided the players devote plenty of time to practice. Included in the D.A.S.C. programme is an exhibition of diving, which shopld bo well worth watching, for those taking part will include Roy Calder (present holder of the New Zealand men’s diving title) and “ Mick ” Walker (exNcw Zealand diving champion). It is extremely gratifying that a branch of tho ■world-famous Royal Liie Saving Society has been formed in Auckland, and it is hoped that the centre will receive the support of the nublic and of swimmers (says a northern writer). Owing to want of organisation this most important work had been neglected locally, but it may be safelv assumed that under the capable control of the newly-formed body the knowledge of life saving win be strongly encouraged. The centre is fortunate in having tho services of a number of exnericnced instructors and _ examiners. Tho local centre has been in existence only a month, and a pleasing feature of the month’s work is that the subject has been taken up in several schools. It is understood more than 100 children have already been taught to render first aid, while some have qualified for the various awards of the society.

’ Tho surfing season will open soon, hut some of the surf clubs cannot understand the attitude taken up by racing swimmers in regard to lilo saving work at tho beaches (says the Christchurch ‘Sun’). _ Only a few of the crack swimmers inn Christchurch take up surf work—for example, D. Lindsay, who swims for tho Taylor’s Mistake Club; A. T. Bolam, a Sumner Club member; and A. Stokes and R. Wilkinson, who turn out for New Brighton. When asked why they do not take up surf work, speed swimmers claim that it reduces their speed. How do they account for the fact that “Boy” Charlton is Sydney’s champion surfer? ... F. Deliclc, of Prague, is reported to have shattered Czccho-Slovakia’s record for 100 metres back stroke with a performance of Imin 20 4-ssec. Life saving lias always been well encouraged in Dunedin, and the Otago bead centre of the Royal Life Saving Society lias done much good work in the past, though its activities have been of a rather unobtrusive nature. It is a body well worthy of support, in view of the important nature of its work, its affairs Being in tho hands ol Mr I). Baiuiatyno, who is secretary ol tho centre. These remarks are brought forth by reason of the fact that tho annual meeting of the local centre will be held next week.

The ribbon dive, which has been included on the Dunedin CluKs carnival on November 7, is a very interesting event. Competitors have to dive over a rope which is gradually raised. There is an art in getting the correct execution for this dive, and it is not always the heavy diver who wins. Keen coinpetition is anticipated, and it is worthy of note that a likely competitor will be Bill Cunningham, ex-New Zealand men's diving champion. This dive used to be Bill’s specialty, but he has been off the boards some little time now. Another interesting tho long plunge, at which the New Zealand diving champion Roy Calder is pretty adept. It has been included on the list of events to bo decided at the New Zealand championships, and should draw n Jarg© outvy. Local competitors should get in a little practice in the long plunge, for though Otago may not meet with a great deal of success in tne men’s swimming events the province is looked to to provide the winners in the various branches of diving. C, J. M'Lean, the Otago men’s free style champion, will probably return to Dunedin next month with a view to representing tho St. Clair Club at tno forthcoming Otago championships. The programme lor tho Otago championships has not yet been drawn up, but it is understood that more interclub handicap events than usual will bo included. One special feature of the Kiwi Club s carnival on November 24 should bo tno primary schools’ relay, which will bo contested by teams of six. An mterclub relay is also set down lor decision.

Mr E. G. James, who in past years has acted as a diving judge at the Otago championships, and would almost certainly havo been nominated for tho New Zealand championships, is hardly eligible for that position now,_ as lic is coaching two or three local divers, including Roy Caldcr, Now Zealand men’s champion. “Santa” James is the essence of fairness, but it would hardly bo fair to him to ask him to judge an event in which some of his own pupils were competing. The St. Clair members havo not yet got properly under way so far as the club’s hour is concerned, but following the committee meeting next Wednesday the active swimming members of the club should soon be in steady training. The suburban club has not yet fixed a date for a carnival, but this will probably be decided upon at tho executive meeting nest week. However, tho club will probably be represented in the polo competition at the Kiwi carnival, and some keen matches should be witnessed, as all tho clubs will probably be represented. The St. Clair Club is most unfortunate every year with the weather that is experienced for the holding of its Beach Day, and once again on Labor Day the elements were against the suburbanites, and the fixture had to be postponed. Beach Day will now probably ho held on November 5.

Tho novelty event at the Dunedin Club’s carnival will be the blindfolded race, which should be productive of considerable merriment. Each competitor swims one length of the baths blindfolded, after which his partner’s eyes are blindfolded, and the latter then swims back. Competitors find it difficult to keep a straight course, and

baths in tho belief that they have reached the far end. According to a letter received from Professor John A. Jackson, the San Francisco coach, Rex Mason, who won second place in the famous American Golden Cato swim, was born in Christchurch. He is about 37 years of age and is married. His wife was the Pacific coast champion girl swimmer m 1915.