SWIMMING

Evening Star, Issue 19723, 25 November 1927, Page 14

SWIMMING

[By Hooker.]

DATES AHEAD. November 30 and December I. Primary Schools’ Championships. December 8 ■ and 10.—Otago Championships, Municipal Baths. January 21-27.—Now Zealand Na- : tional Championships, Municipal Batiis. KIWI JOTTINGS. There was a large attendance at the Kiwi Club’s hour on Tuesday night, Some 40 or 50 swimmers being iu tho water, including a good sprinkling of junior members, as well as a large mini-, ber-of lady members, some of ivliom have just linked up with the club. N. P. Pithcaithly is getting down to training, and over a length is quite a fair swimmer, though if ho got into proper condition the writer believes he would do well over a longer distance. R. Geddes was an absentee, but the junior diver has been training regularly during tho week and is reported to have been diving well. He is just a little inclined to twist, however, a fault which may be due to the fact that in getting off the board he puts more weight on one foot than on tho other.

A. E. Short was not moving along quite so freely as was the case the previous week, hut as tho writer has pointed out he is quite ono of the most promising handicap men in Dunedin, and with a little experience should do well oyer 100yds. An injury to his arm kept W. Boyd out of tho water. He was putting in some time with tho younger members, which gave tho energetic 'Secretary, Bobby Hector, a chance'to do a, little training. Tho latter is quite a, lair handicap performer, and should perform well in his club’s No. 2 relay team.

A likely looking breast stroke swimmer in R. Affleck lias been brought to light. Ho did not show tip particularly well on the crawl, but when tried out on tho breast stroke it was evident that he was a swimmer of more than ordinary ability, and his future > activities will bo watched by tho writer with somo interest.

L. Pi tide was moving along steadily on tho breast stroke, though in view of the 220yds Otago breast, stroke championship lie would be wise to vary slow work with somo sharp sprints. O. Holland, G. Brown, and T. Hnrlaml are a trio of good intermediates, but the latter is the best of the lot, and has come on considerably during _ the past few weeks. They took part in a good trial over a couple of lengths, and while Harland showed to tho best advantage, Brown, too, revealed good form. The latter has a nice smooth stroke, and should do well when he has hud a little more experience. Holland is taking his training much more seriously, and this is evidenced not only by an improvement iu his condition but also by. the fact that ho is developing his stroke nicely. B. Clarke was putting in some good work on the breast stroke and should lie heard of in breast stroke handicaps during the season. Miss K. Miller is now moving along in something like the stylo she showed last season, and of late she has been doing some hard training. Her stroke is more what it was last year, and she is not dipping her elbow, to tho extent that she was at an earlier stage of her training. She should be in good form for tho Otago championships, though the writer docs not expect her to reach her best until tho New Zealand championships como up for decision. Miss P. Lang and her younger sister, Miss O. Lang, arc both regular atteuders at training, and that is one of tho reasons why Miss Lang Inis found a place in tho Kiwi ladies’ relay team. Miss J. Lcdgcnvood, the Otago breast stroke chart pion, has joined up with the Kiwi Club, which has also benefited by securing the services of that .strong .swimmer N. H. Bailey, who intends getting into serious training, and if ho strikes form ho will be a contender for honors iu the Ota_go men’s 100yds championship, in which he should not be easy to beat. Though the Kiwi carnival w;a» decided too late for comment in these columns it is phasing to note tho splendid support that was accorded tho intcrclnb relay handicap, for which seven teams entered. Both Dunedin

and'Kiwi entered three teams, each ot these chibs having a team wholly comprised of ladies.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS’ CARNIVAL. One of tho most enjoyable carnivals of tho year, and ono that always brings to light much promising materia!, is ■ tho fixture, staged by the Otago Schools Sports (Association. This 'season's primary schools’, championship will he held in the Municipal Baths on November 30 and December 1, and tho arrangements for the meeting arc in the capable hands of Secretary H. H. Hawkins, who has had'.much experience of this kind of work and is well fitted to carry out the necessary duties iu connection with tho meet.

A very attractive programme has been arranged, and, though it is too much to expect that another “Buster” Olds will be brought into prominence by the meeting, it is safe to assert that more than one embryo champion will he among the competitors. The programme is listed as follows: —2syds championship (boys under 11), width of baths championship (girls under 12), 50yds breast-stroke championship (hoys under 14), 25yds championship (boys under 12), 25yds championship (girls under 13), 33Jyds championship (boys under 13), 33|yds championship girls under 14), 33Jyds championship (boys under 14), boys’ diving championship and neat header. Standard IV. boys’ relay (Olds Cup, width of baths), Standard IV. girls’ relay (Olds Cup, width of baths), Boys (under 12) junior relay championship (width of baths), boys (under 14) senior relay championship (length of baths), girls (under 14) senior relay championship (length or baths), lOOvdit championship (boys over I I), 662yds championship (girls over 14), mixed relay championship (under 14, length of baths, two girls and two boys, 665yds), championship boys (under LI), and girls’ diving championship. .In relay races teams arc comprised of four swimmers, and m all events the age counts as at December 31, 1927. DOINGS. Tho Dunedin Club had Us biggest muster of the season nt the Municipal Baths last Friday 'night, but a difficulty that lias been encountered is that swimmers who have been in the baths prior to the club’s hour are apt, to remain iu tho baths when club’s training hour commences. There, Ims been such an inllux of new members that measures arc being taken to regulate traiujim, and a meeting for this purpose wiTl bo held at the baths prior to tho dub hour to-night. Tho club’s tree membership to primary school elmtlren has been popular, but the writer is of opinion that a small membership fee is a desirable thing for juniors who wisli to join up with a dub. To-night the cup races will be commenced with a senior 50yda event and a 33Jyds junior championship. In addition, a 25yds beginners’ race is to bo decided. . A. Rix is dissatisfied with Ins arm stroke, and intends doing little competitive swimming until ho improves it. Ho js tho makings of a good swimmer, and -is wise to develop ins stroke along the right lines. Miss Edzer, tho ex-Hawko’s Bay dis iancc crack, has joined up with .the Dunedin Club, and on Friday night brought with her a number of other students. It is to bo : hoped that Miss Edzer will bo persuaded to take part iif competitive .swimming locally, and enthusiasts would ho "leased to see her >takii)f part in tho Annette Kellerman Cup harbor race at' tho New Zealand championships. Miss M. Jopson, the Otago 100yds ladies’ champion, was training bard, though troubled by the bad light, one swam in the 33 l-3yds scratch race, which was held foi tho purpose _ of selecting teams for tho Kiwi carnival relay event. The finish was a good one, 14. M'Kewan and W. Cunningham touching together, while bliss Jopson, J. Fleming, aml Rix were also liaiidy in a bunch, ' Miss Eggers is improving on the diving boards, and is now attempting tho fanev side of tho art. She executed a full screw, and when she has the rough edges taken off she snoidd blossom into a more than useful pcvlonnci. There were a number of divers haying a try at some of tho fancy dives, which augurs well for tho success of this branch of the sport in Dunedin. Roy Calder. tho_ New Zealand men s diving champion, is keeping ill steady training, and Ins form is so consistently good that he is going ,to take some beating at tho New Zealand champiouSI T Fleming was _ doing some solid preparation, as ho intended co,u !’ e t nl g ill the TOOrds, as well ns tho 33 DJyd.s handicaps' at the Kiwi carnival last. night. Fleming rfionH furnish into a good man over the 100yds, and should ho encouraged to carry on with the good work. Ho won the Otago 100,v (>s intermediate title last year, anc, though ho has not yet reached Ins best, form, ho should be moving well by next month. ~ . Youim P S. Matineson was drring well. and. though his flight leaves room for improvement, he is probably tho beat junior diver in his club. NELSON SHIELD COMPETITION. Recently the .New Zealand Council of the Royal Life-saving Society wrote to the Canterbury Surf Life-saving Association asking for suggestions with regard to the rules of the Nelson Shield competition, as it.was intended to revise the drill. The C.S.L.A., in reply, recomenmded that the council should strongly consider advisability ol eliminating the seventh man, as no useful purpose was obtained by retaining him. It was thought 1 that this was the only alteration necessary, ns adopting Australian rules straight out would not be suitable to conditions in New Zealand, The suggestion to alter the rules is open to argument, in the opinion of a Christchurch. ‘ Star writer. The drill as at present hud down, if followed correctly, could not be improved uoon. Since tbo last Nelson Shield competition, which Canterbury won. tlicrc has been much discussion in .the north as to the correct interpretation of tho rules, and, at the same time, plenty of criticism having been levelled at methods of the Canterbury team, it is fairly safe to assume that tins is the reason which prompted the New Zealand Council to ask for suggestions to alter tho rules. Instead of altering rules a better solution of the would be to go into the question of judging, and fix a ruling on all matters with which there is a differ-lit interpretation, as this '• seems to. bo tho root of all the trouble. Some judge*, 'are inclined to award points on things which, although thev look well..arc not, laid down in the rules, and this is. where tho council should rule definitely that no points be awarded for extras that are often obvious and unnecessary, as points so pained mav ■• have ' a great effect on tbs result of the competition. It is honed that the council will leave the rules intact, and endeavor to overcome the present difficulty, along the lines 'suggested. ■

AUSTRALIAN DOINGS. . Tho performances of tho lady swimmers again overshadowed tho men, a now. prospective champion iu Miss_V. Armstrong, of tho Telephone Ladies’ Club, winning tho 100yds handicap in the splendid time of Imin 8 l-ssec (says a Sydney writer). Nob only is. this the "fastest time for tho distance this season, but it is the fastest time since the days of Misses F. Durack and M. Wylie, who swam first and second respectively in tho 100 metres world championship at tho Olympic Games iu Stockholm in 1912. Miss Armstrong’s effort brings ber into championship class, her nearest approach to it before? being a third to Misses E. Davoy and B. Taw in the 150yds State championship last season. The 13-ycar-old champion of Sydney Club, Miss B. Taw, after being impeded by another swimmer, registered Imin 56 l-ssec for 150yds. Miss Cocks appeared in sprint events only at Bondi, and did 50yds in 31sec.

Miss E. Robertson, of the Metropolitan Club, and Australia’s versatile champion, covered the 106yds course in Imiu 9 l-osep, whilst Miss li. Taylor, of the Telephone Ladies’ Club, recorded Imin 13sec, and her, consistent club mates. Misses M. and E. Mealing, were close behind, with Imin 13 l-ssec and Imin 13 2-ssec respectively, F. Doyle, tho 100yds Australian re-cord-holder, was the best of the men, and after conceding Isec to F. Carberry, who was, having his first race since his return from America, was Just beaten by his old rival out of third place iu Sydney Club’s 100yds handicap, recording 58 3-osec for the distance. Carborry’s time was 59 2-ssec. Notwithstanding that there were no push-off boards at the Spit Baths, which are now being brought up to championship conditions, from a diving start M. Campbell, the State backstroke champion, revealed good form to swim the 60yds backstroke in 31sec—a performance that was equalled with surprise' by his club mate, D. Sheather. Campbell also did well iu sprint over tho 50yds free stylo iu 25sec. Another good 50yds backstroke effort was registered at Balmoral Baths by B. Storey, who, with a regulation push-off start, took only 34 1-oscc. At Rnshcnttcr Bay Baths A. Laidhnv, of East Sydney Club, pleased his supporters with a 2min 23scc for 200yds. STRIKING FEATS. A number of striking iconoclastic feats were chronicled during tho recent outdoor swimming season, but none achieved by waterman equalled in merit tho 220yds free style performance _in 2min 13 3-ssec returned by John Weissmuller, of the Illinois A.C., in a 110yds* pool at Honolulu ; none credited to mermaid the one mile in 25min 13 _3-ssec negotiated by Miss Martha Norelius, of the New York W.S.A., over a 55yds course at Massapequa, N.Y 7 . (says L. de B. Hanley, the famous American Olympic coach, in a bulletin recently received by the writer). It is a gauge of tho class of Weissmuller’s exploit that Arne Borg, of Sweden, who slaughtered world’s records from 400 metres upward, swam his fastest 200 metres (218.72yd5) at Bologna, Italy, when he did 2min 13 3-ssec iu a 50-metre tank, and that this performance represents about 2min 17sec for the furlong in a 110yds bath, allowing for the difference in distance and gain at tho turns. As for Miss Norolius’s one-mile swim, suffice tho fact that it slashed more than half a minute from the international standard, held at 25min 40scc by Miss Edith Maync, of England. ST. CLAIR MURMURS. Tho attendance, at tho St. Clair Beach Day on Saturday was good, considering that the weather was very bad up till noon. There were about 300 present, so that tho opening function was more or less a success. The sandmodeliilig, races, treasure bunt, etc., attracted attention and caused a lot of amusement. Tho club night-was well attended by s mom hers, including a large percentage of ladies. Coaching was carried out during the night, a largo crowd of boys from St. Clair School being present. Somo of these bids are developing good strokes, and will be heard of later. Frank Paapo is 'taking on breaststroke racing again in handicap events and the Otago championships. H. Pollock is another who is swimming lor St. Clair in the breaststroke championship, and should be a strong contender for honors. Miss Vera Rowlatt has settled down nicely, and her stroke is getting back to its previous standard. A. Harrod is a swimmer who should take on the breaststroke more seriously, as ho is the right typo and has docked 87scc for 100yds. v ENGLAND’S NATIONAL TITLE SWIMS. Several surprises were sprung in five of England’s national swimming championships decided lately, but the most unexpected results marked the women’s 440yds free stylo test, decided in a 30yd bath at Torquay. It was the universal belief that Miss Joyce Cooper, title holder at 220yds, would win, with Miss Edith Mayno, r credited with tho listed ono mile world’s record of 25miu 46sec. Instead, Miss Marion Lavcrty defeated them both decisively in 6miu 11 2-ssoc. Miss Mayuotook the second place in 6min I9sec, and Miss Phyllis Scott was third in 6min 32sec. Miss Cooper withdrew at, 240yds. In tho women’s 150yds back-stroke event all predictions were upset by Miss M. A. Barker, a 15-year-old newcomer, who led homo the field in 2min 3 4-ssec, nipping tho British record of 2min ,6sec. ■ ■ Miss Ellen King, the former champion and favorite, followed in 2min 5 3-ssec, then Miss Cooper in 2min 6 l-ssec. The men’s 100yds free stylo classic was featured by unlooked-for speed on the part of N. C. _ Brooks, considered an outsider. He tied with O. K. Baillio for first place' in 56 4-ssec, 3yds ahead of T. Scott.

Louis Van Parys, of Belgium, took the measure of tho Held in tho 200yds/broaststroko fixture,; winning impressed in 2min '42 2-ssee. Second place went to R. Flint, and third to J. H. Hascldcnc. NEW ZEALANDERS’ SUCCESS. . The loss that New Zealand swimming has sustained by tho departure of the Olds family for America is clearly shown by recent nows of their performances that have come to hand lately. ' Tho ex-Now Zealand junior boys’ champion and record holder, Leslie Olds, last month put up a great performance at a meeting staged by a young Californian club, the Pacific All Stars. Ho carried off the 200 metros (218.72yd5) , in 2min 45sec, which is remarkable time for a 13-year-old boy, and suggests that in a year or two he will loom forth prominently in the American swimming world. His elder brother, D. Olds, evidently getting back to his form of a couple of years back, was second, and also captured the 90yds medley in 56sec. The Pacific All Stars is composed of young swimmers, one of whom carried off tho 50yds in 24 l-ssec. OAMARU INSTRUCTOR’S FEAT. Now instructor at the Oamaru Baths is ‘‘ Skipper ” Francis, the wellknown cripple champion, who 15 years ago succeeded in a point-to-point swim across the Bristol Channel.

I have received a letter from “ Skipper ” Francis in reference to the cable' gram that recently appeared regarding tiio feat of Migs Kathleen Thomas, a 20-year-old girl, who swam the Bristol Channel. He encloses a copy of the ‘ South Wales Argus,’ which refers to the foot of Francis as follows: “ Ho was the son of Mr James Francis, of Newport, and was Jamo_ in one leg, hut ho had athletic ambitions, and in January, J9ll, in New York, won the ‘cripple championship of tho world’ for wrestling and running. In September of tho same year he swam from Newbridge-on-Uck to Newport hxidge, a distance of 11 miles, in 3n 4min, He had previously iron in Belfast in 1908 a mile race in which ho swam, cycled, walked, ran, and sculled. “All this athletic activity led up to his Bristol Channel swim in 1912. Ho entered the water at tho Outer Wrack Buoy, Penarth, and ho swam to a point beyond a line drawn from New port lighthouse to tho Bell buoy, a distance of about 13 miles, in 4h 32min.” Miss Thomas, the “Skipper” points out, swam from land to laud, a distance of 12 miles, in 7h_2omin, whereas ho had swum from point to point, a distance of about 13 miles, in 4h 32min. On the course he had taken it was necessary, owing to the turning of the tide, to complete the distance in sfh, otherwise the chance of success was practically impossible. An idea of the current to ho met was given in the report of. Miss Thomas’s performance, showing that she had covered a much longer journey than tho direct lino of 12 miles. It was estimated that Francis in his Channel swim covered 15 miles. In 1912 “Skipper” Francis was captain of tho Cardiff (Wales) premier swimming club and .water polo team. ’ SPLASHES. An event which created quite a lot of interest at a recent Wellington carnival was tho plain diving competition, in which W. Hicks, an cx-New Zealand champion, took part. Many thought that ho would win very easily, but they were doomed to disappointment, for J. Penman 'gained first place, with Palmer, of the Hutt Club, second. Hicks may come back again, but he will have to very much _ improve before championship form is reached (says .an exchange). It has been suggested to the writer that it would he a good idea if it were possible to.arrange for swimming and water polo teams from Dunedin to visit some of the country centres such _ as Oamaru and Alexandra with a view to stimulating interest in the sport and also with the object of ascertaining what material is available in tho country. The suggestion is a good one, which is worthy of the Otago Centre’s early consideration with a view to despatching a team as soon as possible. Swimmers locally aro still marking time and waiting for tho weather to recognise the fact that summer has arrived (says the Christchurch ‘Star’). So far there has been practically jio swimming in tho outdoor baths. With tho long afternoons that daylight saving has provided it only requires a warm spell of weather to see the swimmers very active in all the baths. Carnival 'Week in Christchurch saw a return to very cold weather conditions, ami for that reason what swimming is being done is being confined wholly to tho tepid hath,';. New Smith Wales girl swimmers' put up some performances so remarkable that unless they fall away before March, when the Australian Olympic team is finally chosen, at least five will stand excellent chances of selection (says the Sydney ‘Referee’). _ Most astonishing was the 150yds swim of 12-year-old Jean Cocks, of Bondi. From scratch in a club handicap (50yd laps), she i amazed tho timekeepers by recording I Imin 55 3-ssoo, covering the first 100 yards in 75sec, and winning as she j liked by* lords from good swimmer Marjorie Mnsgrovo. to whom she conceded lOsec. This is the speediest swim ever put up hy.ti 12-year-old child in tho world. Fanny Durack’s Australian record is only 4 2-sseo better than Jean’s time, and Gertrude Ederle’s world’s record is hut 10 3-ssec faster. Besides, Bondi baths is one, of the slowest in Australia. Fanny Durack’s record of Imin 51 l-ssec was put up in the Domain baths, good water, with one turn. Gertrude Ederle’s world’s record was made in the fast water of Bermuda over 25yd laps, with five turns. Had Jean swum at the Domain or under as favorable conditions as the American champion her time would have probably been in the vicinity of Imin 25sec.

H. J. Grieser, coach at the Balboa Swimming Club, Canal, Zone, claims to have solved the much-mooted, question of relative propelling power derived from arms and legs in the crawl stroke. Ho experimented .lately by timing oO boys and girls twice over a given distance, first making them swim with arms only, feet bound together; then with logs only, hands tied. Striking an average of the respective figures relumed, Grieser reached the conclusion that in the, crawl the arms yield no less than five-eighths of (ho speed attained ; the legs not more than three-eighths. This is not •nr from the estimatcs'"previousiy hazarded hy_ experts that the arms provide three-fourths ■of the impetus. Tito International 'Federation., ..National des Amateurs, which is the controlling body, of amateur swimming throughout the world, issues to every swimmer who breaks an existing world's record a silk costume badge with the _ event, date, and Himes worked : on it ; the times are certified to by the officials conducting the meeting. The honor-

ary secretary of the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association (A, AV. B. rawcett) recently received Irom tho controlling body two badges won by frank Beaurepairo as lar back as May, -a-li-nearly seven years ago, states an Australian paper. It cannot bo explained why the- recognition was so belated, but tho badges will bo prized just as much by Beaurepairo, as tho memory of those record-breaking efforts is still fresh in his mind. Last Saturday the Wellington Amateur Swimming Club commenced ms season by staging a carnival at ie Aro Baths. Bad weather conditions, however, made matters very unpleasant with the result that only a small crowd of enthusiasts, were present (says tne ‘Dominion')., This was a pity, because some first-class sport was witnessed. Most of the finishes were of an exciting nature, and one or, two competitors gave every indication of making good as the season progresses. The lUOyds President’s Cup, for club members'only, was won in great nyk* by A. Watson, who, coming with a f-ae burst of speed over the last few yards defeated J. 0. Blakeley, who also well. L. G. Leask was third. The time, 68sec, was quite satisfactory, considering that it was so early in the season. The 50yds luterclub Race was also an event of interest. It was won by. -I. Lawson, who narrowly defeated C. Claridge, H. Shannon was third. > time, somewhere around 26sec, was also good, for though not exceptionally fast, it must be remembered that slow times are nearly, always the rule when swimmers turn out to race for the first occasion in many months. Claridge swam excellently. He is : sure o, be heard of again before long. His football playing has done him tho world of good, for it would be bard to find anyone iu better trim than tbit popular young sportsman. My valued correspondent, Professor John A. Jackson, is highly spoken, of by an American writer who states that he is one of the best known Pacific lifesavers and under-water swimmers on tho coast, holding the record for tho latter. He saved all of 20 people from drowning, and possesses a number of medals given him for deeds of daring and in appreciation of life saved. He is also a water polo star. Ho lias been active, in fact, tho leading spirit, in the formation of the National Swimming Teachers’ Association. Tho Canterbury Centro of tho New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association is making a big effort this season to revive tho slowly-declining interest in water polo. As a first stop players, both senior and junior, were asked to meet the selector, L. Annand, at the Tepid Baths, and all swimmers actively interested in tho sport were urged to attend. Canterbury at pVesent can show the other provinces a point or two so far as tho championships are concerned, but the danger of overconfidence will have to ibe guarded against if tho province is to repeat its former successes (says tho ‘ Sun ’). The Australian swimmers, who returned home a few days ago from a trip to Japan, did not, as a team, swim up to homo form. Reg. Grier, of Queensland, was the star of tho Australians, and did even better than -at home, but all the others found the water too cold, and the food not to their Biting. Grier, on one occasion, swam 200 metres in 2min 25 4-ssec, Tho water was never warmer than 68 degrees, and once, when competing in water of 62 degrees, tho Australians had to cover themselves with thick oil.to counteract the chill. For some considerable time now things have been in a bad way with tho Manawatu Centro of. the N.Z.A.S.A. At the. beginning of last season the headquarters of the centre'were shifted irom Palmerston North to Feilding, but those who expected that an improvement would follow this change were doomed to disappointment. An attempt was made recently to hold a meeting of tho centre, but only three members attended. Mr W, Niccolls, who lias been secretary for the past 12 months, is moving to Wellington, so tbat,_ in addition to being in a weak condition, the centre is losing the services of its principal working official. On several occasions the suggestion ngs been made to the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association by school teachers that during the hot months of summer they should be permitted to substitute swimming for the usual physical drill in the school, The matter was taken up by the Council of the N.Z.A.S.A. with the Minister of Education, who has now advised the swimming governing body that teachers nro at liberty lo nso their own discretion in this matter. “As swimming is ■included in the syllabus of physical training irom which tho teachers work,” .says tlie Minister, “ there is no restriction regarding the substitution of swimming for the exorcises performed in tho usual playground.” So far as Dunedin is concerned, swimming is a-part of the school curriculum, so that such action would hardly bo necessary here, where the Education Board for years past lias done all it can to encourage children to learn to swim. Swimmers in Auckland are commencing their training in earnest, and several are reported to be already moving along well._ Enwright is sprinting well, and the opinion is held among some of the Aucklanders that lie is going to have another bid for the 100yds title that he lias held so often in the past. Baird is beginning to get bis old pace! again after a very slow start. Whether or not he will be seen in action at the. championships -is a 1 moot point, as ho has expressed an intention of going to Sydney in January.