SWIMMING

Evening Star, Issue 20943, 6 November 1931, Page 6

SWIMMING

NOTES AND NEWS

[By Hooker.]

FIXTURES. November 9 to November 14 (inclusive). —“Learn to Swim Week.” November 14.—Otago Swimming Centre’s gala. December 3.—Dunedin Club’s carmval, December 15.—Otago champiouships, January 19. —Kiwi Chib’s carnival. January 22 and 23.—New Zealand intermediate and junior championships, at Lower Hutt. . . , • , January 23.—Kiwi Club s harbour race. , _ Febrnarv 13, 15, 16. and 1/. —New Zealand national championships, at Timaru. ’ „ „ . _ Club Hours.—Monday: St. Clair Life Saving Club and Training College Swimming and Life Saving Club; Tiiesdays and Thursdays, Kiwi Amateur Swimming Club; Fridays and Saturdays, Dunedin Amateur Swimming Club. Club hours are at the Municipal Baths from 8.45 to 9.45 p.m. “ LEARN TO SWIM WEEK GALA.” ‘On Saturday of next week the, first carnival of the present season will be held under the auspices of the Otago Swimming Centre as a wind-up to the centre’s big “ Learn to Swim Week effort. Entries do not close until to-morrow, but already the response has been most and in the six-a-side interclub relav handicap) for instance, at least sixty swimmers will be taking part. Nearlv thirty swimmers have entered for the 33 l-3yds interclub handicap under seventeen, and the 100yds interclub, 66 2-3yds interclub, and diving .handicaps have also drawn splendid entrMuch interest will be aroused by the three relay events for business houses, trades, etc., and in the men’s event already several entries have come to hand, including those from Ross and Glendining, ‘Evening Star Company, Bank of New South r Wales, Butterfield’s Ltd., and A. Murdoch and Co. The mixed event should also produce good racing. , , The programme has not been matle undulv long, and should he one of the most "interesting staged hero for a long time. KIAVI NOTES. 1 There was a large influx of new members at the Kiwi Club’s hour on luesday night, and others who joined the club only this year are already making considerable progress. One of the most promising of the newer swimmers is Miss Miller, who is likely to gam a place in one of the relay teams foi next week’s carnival. She is concentrating on her stroke at present, and looks like being useful over a length. It is a long time since Don. AA atson did any serious swimming, but he showed on Tuesday night that he has not forgotten the art, and swam a good length in the relay race that was held between five teams of five a side. Don. was one of the founders of the club, one of the best club men Kiwi ever had, and it is hopqd he will consent to play in the club’s polo, team. . He has been selected to swim in the interclub relay handicap next week. Another former prominent member who was attended this week was it. Hector, and his coaching was much appreciated by the water polo players, who had a good practice. AA dli his assistance and that of 4' atson and L. Pithie the club should be able to field, a stronger side than for some years past. Reg. Geddes has been showing particularly, good form at the game lately, but' 100 many ot the players have not devoted sufficient time to practice in the art of throwing, the ball, and others need to make themselves more conversant with the For the third time this season, M. Taylor led his team to victory in the relay race, the only other race that was held having resulted in a win for H. D. Gillies’s team. Misses C v . and P. Lang have now settled to training, and both have entered for the ladies’ handicap at next week’s carnival. Misses l.iand J. Taylor have also been training steadily. The former is swimming with plenty ot dash, but must endeavour to swnu a straighten course. A former member wlvo has rejoined the chib is Miss D. Burns, who showed; considerable keenness a year or two hack. Arthur Thomas is training well, and on the diving boards P. E. Matlueson lias been doing good work. Roy Geddes, a younger brother ot the intermediate champion, is coming along nicely,, and other juniors who call for mention are AV. Nicholson and J. Grubb. With AV. AV. Bucldand and one or two others taking part, competition should bo keen in the club’s junior championship. Miss Nancy Olds has been doing plenty of steady swimming, , and the concentration she has shown of late should be reflected by an improvement in her stroke. She will he competing in several events next week. Three or four teams are being entered in the six-a-sido interclub relay handicap next week, and little difficulty has found in filling the place. Miss E. Beck is improving steadily, and Miss Z. AVilsou is one of the most advanced of the younger junior girls. A new member who was present on Tuesday night was J. C. Fogarty, the well-known Otago champion cyclist. CHARLTON ESSAYS COME-BACK. Andrew (“Boy”) Charlton, oxOlympic 1,500 metres champion and runner-up in the 1,500 metres and 400

metres Olympic title, event at Amsterdam in 1928, is making a .serious effort to strike his old form and qualify for a place in the Australian Olympic team for the 1932 Games at .Los Angeles (says the Sydney ‘ Kelcrco ’). Charlton arrived in Sydney on Tuesday, of last week from “ Kurruiubede ” Station, Gunncdah, where he has been employed for several years past, and had his first training swim at Manly Baths on AVednosday. He appears, to bo already in good physical condition, but lie is ho longer a boy. Charlton is now hi his tworetv-fifth year, and looks it. Charlton realises that ho has a mighty tough job in essaying a return to competition swimming, hut with that dogged spirit which has always characterised Ins contests at home and abroad, has decided to leave nothing undone. He intends to concentrate on regular daily medium-paced swims under Coach Harry Hay until he feels that lie is well enough to try himself out against the watch. DUNEDIN DASHES. There was an exceedingly large attendance of members at the municipal pool on Friday evening, several new members having joined and many of the old members putting in an appearance. The .coaching is being very successfully carried out, thanks to an energetic committee. After an injury to his collarbone M. Butterfield was laid aside, hut has now recommenced training in view of the forthcoming harbour races. R, J'. Fleming was seen doing some very fast laps, evidently training for the middle-distance championships. Amongst the new members Misses Esme Hankey, B. M. Ellis, and A. Maxwell are very fair swimmers, whilst S. F. Groenslade and E. M. Freeman, though not quite so proficient, are very keen. E. Toase has reappeared after a season of inactivity, and F. Pearson, who possesses a powerful and even stroke, stands a good chance in the breaststroke events. The boards were not so much in demand, but Miss J. T. Munro displayed some talented diving, although perhaps still a little inclined to go too far over. Miss T. G. Rix is quite a good diver and has certainly been started off on the right lines. Miss O. M. Crowley also put in an appearance, but so far has not done any serious board work. Miss F. Kenriard, a keen life-saving exponent, has been doing some good water work, and little Miss J. J. Thomson lias certainly the makings of a very line swimm'er. In an impromptu race to wind up the evening J. O. Byrnes, AV. J. Jarvis, and V. Newall filled the places in a closely contested and speedy swim. On" Saturday evening the club’s patron, Mr D. C. Bannatyne, refereed an exciting water polo match between the probables and possibles to represent the club in the Stuart Banner competition. ■ The club's costumes are now to be had on application, to the secretary. OTAGO CHAMPIONSHIPS. , The Otago Swimming Centre is concentrating its championship meeting on one night, December 15, and the programme that has been selected comprises those events in which it is hoped most support will be forthcoming from the swimmers. The other championship events will be swum off during the club’s hours or at club carnivals. In the past the championships have received scanty support from the public, more largely by reason of the smallness of the entries. An improvement is promised this year, and it behoves all swimmers of reasonable standard to enter 'for the championship meeting. Only then will it he possible for the meeting to be such a financial success as to assist in the despatch of the teams to the New Zealand championship meetings. ST. CLAIR NOTES. The attendances at the St. Clair Club’s hour so far have been most disappointing, and it is hoped that members will take more advantage of the facilities offering before the season has been long in progress. There are some keen young swimmers in the club, and it behoves the older members to do their share by taking an interest in them. E. Tnrgis has been putting in some good work over 100yds, and with a few more club men of his keenness and ability there would he little cause for complaint. A. Knights is back in town lor a while and taking his former interest in the' club. Ho should bo an asset to the water polo team, and J. Swan, J. Woods, and C. Gore are others who have been practising at polo. AV. M‘Allen has shown improved form under the tutelage of H. D. Gillies, who is an associate member of the club .and does more than his share to foster enthusiasm among the younger members. . . , The club hopes to institute regular practices on the beach on fine Sunnow that the weather seems to he more settled, and no better way of stimulating interest in life saving could be found. NEXT WEEK’S BIG EFFORT. After weeks of preliminary effort, tho Otago Swimming Centro’s big “ Loam to Swim "Week 5 olfort will Ijg commenced on Monday next and.continued during the week. Uefrcsber classes for tho instructors have been held during the past week or two, and everything points to thenwork meeting with considerable success. The public lias been asked to enrol at the baths for instruction before Monday if possible, as it is intended to issue them with special instruction tickets. It is hoped, in this way, to have the classes properly organised lor thestart on Monday night, so that there will be as little conflict as possible. The classes are being arranged m sections, and they will lio graded as nouswimmers, swimmers, breast stroke learners, and free style learners. Ladies’ classes will be held every altcrnoon between 1.30 and 3.

Ordinary swimmers will still ho enabled to have their swim, hut the area for such purpose will ho considerably restricted during the week. As soon as the pupils como in to the baths, they will ho allocated to a certain section, designated by a letter, and the number of the instructor should ho remembered, as it is intended to have swimmers under the same instructors throughout if at all possible. All arrangements have now boon finalised for the big week, and given good weather it sliou!d_ lie a great success. Displays of various kinds and races will bo hold during the club hours each night. CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ CARNIVAL. Although it is but three years since the Christian Brothers’ High School instituted its carnival, this year’s meeting showed that there are a number et promising young swimmers in the school, and that the standard is rapidly improving. J. O’Driscoll, who won the _underfifteen championship, is a particularly promising swimmer, and besides winning all the championship events lie did

better than any other in tho handicaps. .11 is times ot 20 1-osee lor tho .‘33 l-.'iyds, 46 l-ssco for the 6G 2-3yds, and 63 2-sscc fur the 75yds wore distinctly pood, and as he has developed his stroke along the right lines and has a nice easy stylo ho should go a long way further in the sport. J. Barry did not have so free a style as the winner, but swam well to be runner-up in this division, and also did well in tho handicaps. W M'AUen retained tho senior championship that he won last year, and suffered defeat only in the 100yds. He is an improved swimmer, and did2o3-ssee for the length, and 48 3-osec for GO 2-3yds. in tho 100yds, however, ho was inclined to reduce his stroke towards the .finish, and must rectify this fault. B. O’Malley, who was runner-up, swam his best race in the 100yds, and stamped himself as a very likely sort of swimmer. He employed a smooth, clean stroke, and has a fair leg action, and should improve further as the result of the coaching he will receive in the Dunedin Club to which Barry and o ’Driscoll also belong. A. Kay won the under-thirteen championship, and little M. Hindmarsh, a son of Mr W. S. Hindmarsh, a popular member of the baths’ staff, the uudercleven title. Young Hindmarsh. was unopposed, but he pluckily swam over the distances on his own, swimming on the back for all hut one. At this style ot swimming he is likely to do well when he is a little older. Tho whole meeting was excellently organised, and went off without a hitch, as do all fixtures controlled by Bro. O’Connor, principal of this school. SPLASHES. The New Zealand championship dates have been fixed by the centres controlling the respective fixtures, and the intermediate and junior meetings are to he held in the Riddiford Baths at Lower Hutt in the second last week of January, the senior meeting being fixed for February 13, 15, 10, and 17, at Timaru. The South Canterbury Centre has wisely decided not to leave the championships until too late in the season, and Timaru is such an ideal place for the gathering that big entries may be confidently expected. An outstanding example of what can he accomplished by enthusiasm and determination is afforded bv the remarkable progress made by the Oreti Surf Club (says the 1 Soutldand Times ’). At the close of their year in September they had as assets two reels, a motor truck, and a number of club badges and costumes, but dsepite the handicaps of a small bank balance and a limited membership they have already commenced the new season with a substantial addition to their accommodation at the beach and the installation of a range for heating and cooking. Then 1 work at the beach has been recognised previously, and will be followed with interest again this summer. They have also become-very well known to tho public at the baths, particularly in water polo games, where they have given good displays, the navy and maroon caps always being well in tho fore. The social aspect has not been neglected during “ Learn to Swim Week,” and the centre is promoting a combined swimmers’ dance in the Embassy Salon on Thursday next. Indications point to the function being a most enjoyable one, a good orchestra has been secured, and that well-known swimming enthusiast, Mr M. Campbell, will be the M.C. Although no official advice has been received from tho New Zealand Swimming Council as to the dives for the New Zealand championships, Mr R. C. Calder has received from Mr P. Coira, of Wellington, a list of the-dives he has recommended for tho men’s and ladies’ championships, but nothing lias been said about the intermediate numbers. Mr Coira was appointed by the council to make recommendations concerning tlie compulsory divek, so that apparently international rules are not to be brought in this year. The ladies’ dives arc:—Low board : Running hunch and half-screw forward running; high board—Pike dive running and one somersault backward. The numbers, from the degree of difficulty, are worth 1.3, 1.6, I.G, and 1.6. The men’s dives and their degrees of difficulty are; — Low board—Pike dive , running (1.5), one screw forward standing (1.9) ; high board—one somersault backward (1.6) and one Molberg somersault, standing, take off from both feet (1.8). Tho junior and intermediate national championships have been fixed for January 22 and 23 at the Riddiford Baths, Lower Hutt. If previous years are any indication, the number of entries will necessitate programmes for tho afternoon anil evening to enable all the heats and finals to be disposed of, thus making four carnivals altogether (says a Wellington writer). Over thirty swimmers journeyed to Whare. Flat on foot last Sunday for the Kiwi Club’s third outing, and a most enjoyable time was spent there, many having a “dip ” in tho swimming pool. These tramps are proving very popular, and are an excellent means of fostering good fellowship among the dubs. The next outing will be to Sandymount on Sunday next. America’s phenomenal < swimming champion, Miss Helen Madison, established two long-course American swimming records before 4,000 San Francisco spectators recently, covering 300yds in 3min sßsec, compared with tlio record of Miss Martha Morelins, of Now York, of 4min 5 3-ssec. Miss Madison negotiated tho 600yds in Omin 43 l-ssee, compared with Miss Morolius’s record of 7min 3-osec. Roy Calder, the ex-champion diver, is reported to have recovered from the injury that kept him out of tho sport for some time, and may shortly try himself out on tho hoards (says the Wellington ‘Post’). It is to bo hoped that there are no ill-effects,_ as divers of his calibre are scarce. His re-entry as a contestant would he very pleasing to all who recognised his skill.