SWIMMING

Evening Star, Issue 22275, 28 February 1936, Page 4

SWIMMING

NOTES AND HEWS [By Hooker.] FIXTURES. March 7.—Cromwell Club's carnival. March 7.—Ravensbourno regatta. March 14.—Lawrence Club’s opening carnival. March 25.—Kiwi Club's intermediate and junior carnival. Club hours: Mondays (8.45-9.45 p.m.), St. Clair and St. Kilda; Tuesdays (6-7) and Thursdays (8.45-9.45), Kiwi; Wednesdays and Fridays (8.45 to 9.45), Dunedin; Saturday (8.459.45), Kaikorai; Tuesdays (8.45-9.45), centre’s polo hour. All club hours mentioned above are at the Municipal Baths. Zenith. Club hours nightly at the Y.M.C.A. Baths, except Friday. H.Z. SURF CHAMPIONSHIPS MAJOR HONOURS TO LYALL BAY No more fitting climax to a week of championship swimming could have been arranged than the national surf life saving championships, which were held on St. Clair Beach on Saturday and Sunday, and the Otago Surf Association is to be heartily congratulated on the success that attended its arrangements. For months past the officials have been at work on the organisation of the meeting, which, by reason of its nature, is not easy to control, and the fact that the whole fixture went off without the slightest hitch was a tribute to their work. Specially deserving of mention, of course, were the president (Mr J. L. MTndoe), the secretary (Mr J. M. Rodgcrson), and the treasurer (Mr 1. L. Turnbull). They worked very hard, and the fine support given by the public should be ample compensation. Some 0,000 spectators must have paid for admission to the enclosure on the two days, and though the heavy thunderstorm terminated proceedings rather suddenly on Sunday afternoon it was fortunate that the last event had then been decided. No reference to the organisation would be complete without high praise being given to the marshal, Mr M. Smale (Taranaki), whoso control and the prompt way in which he got the events off were faultless.

. The entry was not so representative as was the case at New Plymouth last year, but, as Mr Peter . Coira (president of the New Zealand Surf Association) stated, the meeting resulted, in one of the greatest gatherings of champion swimmers and surfraen to date. The fact that it was held immediately after the national swimming championships enabled many of the swimming champions to remain and compete in the surf fixture.

The performances were interesting and full of incident for the spectators, and the conditions provided A thorough test for the • ability of the various teams, although the teams which drew the No. 1 buoy on the first day were handicapped by the strong drift towards the St. Clair Baths, but that is all in the luck of the game.

Some fine waterwork was witnessed during the various competitions, hut ■that was not surprising in view of tho number of star performers' engaged, and the beltmen’s championship produced some great swimming before eventually A. T. Dalton (North Beach) scored a close decision over the New Zealand 220yds free style champion. D. 11. Symcs (Taylor’s Mistake). Dalton is a very powerful swimmer, and though be struck a bad stretch of water ho handled it like a champion, and his success was very popular indeed.

Symes again demonstrated what a fine all-round performer he is. He has the powerful stylo that is well suited to surf work, and he gave Dalton a great tussle, there' being little between them at any stage of the journey. P. E. Mathieson, who gained third place, was another who put up a good swim, more especially in bis heat in which ho registered the fastest time done on Saturday. Walter Jarvis, last year’s winner, won his beat on Saturday, but did not line up for the final.

The major honours of the meeting were won by the Lyall Bay Club, whoso record in surf work is one of which any club.-might well be proud. Nevertheless, from the local aspect, the improved showing made by the St. Clair teams was very satisfactory, and in appearance and in tho general execution of their work they compared favourably with any of the other teams. The success of the St. Clair Club’s junior teams was most gratifying, and indicates that tho club officials are working along the right lines in building up their club to be one of- the strongest in the Dominion.

The Nelson Shield is really emblematic of all-round supremacy in surf life-saving in the , Dominion, being awarded for the rescue and resuscitation championship of Now Zea'and foi six-man teams.. Lyall Bay scored its fifth success in this event, one of the outstanding features of which was the lino swim put up by the Wellington team’s beltman, R. Pelham, who is a former national 440yds free stylo swimming champion. Pelham gave his team a big advantage in points for time, and the remainder of its work was so uniformly smart and good that the decision in Lyall Bay’s favour was generally expected. One of the most interesting and ininstructive events of the meeting is the four-man alarm championship, and this also went to Lyall Bay,, the winning team in eacli of these contests being captained by Sam Muller. As the result of a fine last lap by J. Blakeley, Lyall Bay also carried off the senior surf teams’ championship which provided .the most thrilling finish of the meeting, Blakeley and W. J. Jarvis lighting out the issue nearly all the way.

All the honours in the junior division went to the St. Clair Chib. Its team won the William Henry Memorial Trophy for the junior rescue and resuscitation championship, carried oil the junior surf teams’ championship by a wide margin, and S. W. Jarvis, the New Zealand intermediate champion, won the individual Junior surf race championship. In the junior championship there was little between St. Clair and Maranui in drill and resuscitation,

both performing very smartly, but St. Clair had it all over Maranui on time. With such promising material the _ St. Clair Club’s future outlook is bright indeed.

Tho 'march past presented a very fine sight indeed, and while there appeared very little between the teams to the uninitiated tho smartness and precision with which Maranui carried out all their movements and their general appearance entitled them to the championship, New Plymouth Old Boys being runners-up. Competing in the surf championships for tho first time, tho Oreti Club performed well, in several events, its best performance being to take second place in the four-man alarm championship. It was in the final of this contest that P. H. M'Grath, the former New Zealand intermediate free style champion, put up one of thfc best swims of the meeting iti the belt. The national surf championships of 1936 have been a great success, and should give surf live-saving work in Otago a big stimulus. KIWI JOTTIHBS With the championships now but a memory, the ordinary routine of club activities has been resumed, but Kiwi can look back on the championship ■meetings with pleasure, a number of New Zealand titles being won by club members. Peter Mathieson, the club captain, lowered the national 150yds back stroke time when he won that title. A. Thomas (deputy-captain) was second in that event, and Miss Islay Purdie won the New, Zealand intermediate girls’ 100yds and 220yds titles in record time. Miss I). Pope is the first New Zealand - intermediate girls’ diving champion, and second places were gained at the respective meetings by Reg. Geddes (220yds. men’s breast stroke), Mrs E. C. Isaacs (ladies’ diving),- W. Dunn (intermediate girls’ breast stroke), and G. Chambers (intermediate boys’ breast stroke). D. Freeman was third-in the men’s diving. Geddes won the 100yds invitation men’s breast stroke scratch race, and Miss Purdie the invitation 50yds ladies’ scratch race. The committee making arrangements for a complimentary function to be tendered to these members next month. With the schools’ carnival and the club’s own intermediate and junior carnival in immediate prospefct; the younger members are now getting down to solid work again, and it is hoped every senior member will lend :r hand with the coaching of these juniors during the next month or so. A promising junior girl breast, stroke exponent is Miss Yuilleen Mj’or, . who will, be rbtidjf for championship 'competition . next season. She is making good progress under Miss. M.'Bpiijton.

Mr C. J. Lefeden has a number of keen youngsters shaping very well on breast stroke, and ho also has, some improving free style exponents 'tinder his charge. C. Triggs is a new member showing keenness. He requires plenty’of work on the paddle board to improve his leg action.

Jack M'lndoo, a son of tho Otago Centro’s patron, has joined up with the club, and he has such a promising style that he should be ready for competition at the next carnival. He relaxes well, but could also do with a little more attention to his leg action. He is a very promising junior. Russ Buchanan is training well, and should give a good account of himself in the club junior championship to be held shortly. He must rid himself of a habit of clenching his hands when about to make his pull. He could also reach out a little more with ‘ good effect. -■

Rog. Baker is a newcomer shaping well on the crawl. He is inclined to kick too wide.

Jim Henry is another- likely junior. He is inclined to dip his elbow, but relaxes well, and is very keen. He is devoting time to improving his kick, and should be ready for • competition when the club’s intermediate and junior carnival is held. Miss Maud Setwart is swimming well at present. With the right-atten-tion to stroke improvement during the winter she will be hard to beat over both distances on free style at the Otago junior championships next - season.

Miss O. Armour and Miss H. Peat are both swimming well at present, and should acquit themselves creditably at the club’s intermediate and junior'car T nival. Bob Peat is one of the best junior breast stroke exponents in the club, and good tilings arc expected of him at the schools’ carnival. Jim Purdie is another neat little exponent'of breast stroke. He is-developing a very nice glide. :

Edna Goldthorpe is a much-improved junior back stroke exponent, and her sister Margery is also very keen.

COUNTRY CARNIVALS APPEARANCE OF CHAMPIONS The holding of the national swimming championships at Dunedin benefited the Toko Club, which mouths ago made application to the Otago Centre for permission to arrange for some of the visiting champions to appear there at the conclusion of the championship fixture. As a result, Milton had the opportunity of seeing in action such fine performers as Miss Edna Rainey (Hawke’s Bay) ; Miss I. Purdie-(Kiwi), the New Zealand intermediate champion: Miss G. Rix (Dunedin), New Zealand ladies’ diving champion; Miss N. Bqsstian (Southland), national ladies’ back stroke champion; L. Smith (Wanganui), the' New Zealand 220yds breast stroke champion; Miss M. Mathieson (Dunedin), who swam so well at the championships; L. Yates (South Auckland) ; W. R. , Lloyd (Manawatu) ; J. Neville (Taranaki) ; J. Young (Canterbury) ; and quite a few otlrers. The visitors entered willingly into every class of race, and the demonstrations given should prove useful to the Toko Club, which numbers in its ranks many ■ promising young swimmers. The Roxburgh Club hold its carnival on Saturday, and J. D. O’Driscoll, R. O. Johnson (National diving cham-

pion), Miss P. Sporlo, and Mrs E. C. Isaacs made the trip from Dunedin, taking part in races and giving displays. Tho • Roxburgh , carnival was well supported by the’ Various clubs in Central Otago, and -proved a most successful affair. Some of the credit for the big advance made by swimming in the country centres should be given to the Otago Centre’s educational officer (Mr D. C. Bannatyne), who has conducted “ Learn to Swim ” campaigns in many parts of Otago during tho last few seasons. - - The improved standard of swimming in many of the country clubs be traced indirectly to liis efforts in many cases. One of the most capable and enthusiastic wrokers in the Otago Centre is. the Roxburgh Club’s delegate, Mr F. E. L. Forrester, who . has long played a leading-part in the activities of the Schools’ Sports Association. Mr Forrester is particularly interested in the development of swimming in the country and in the encouragement of the youngsters, and in both directions he is doing fine work on the centre.

7CK9. CLUB'S SPURTS A big effort to revive interest -in amateur athletics in -Milton is being made by the Toko Harrier and Amateur Athletic Club, 1 and for the track and field meet to bo held on the Domain on Saturday, March 7, a good programme has-been arranged. The track events are 100yds, 220yds, 440yds, 880yds, one mile, 100yds junior, 440yds junior, one mile interclub relay, 100 yards ladies,'. 75yds ladies’ ’ hurdles, ladies’ broad jump, high jump, broad jump, hop, step, and jump, throwing the discus, shot putt, pole vault, throwing the- hammer, half-mile cycle,, 1.-J mile cycle,-and three miles cycle. Entries close on Monday next with the secretary (Mr A. L-. Fagg), Milton, or with Messrs T. M. Brydono and B. R. MKernan, Dunedin. - ■ SPLASHES Now that the excitement of championships is past, the various clubs are resuming their normal activities, and club handicap and championship races will he held during the next few weeks. Tlie Kiwi Club will meet on Tuesday .evening next to arrange the programme for .its club championships, and this,year intermediate boys’ and girls’ championships will be added to the programme, the club being strong in each oi\ these divisions. Handicap events in the junior and intermediate sections jvill still be held each week. The- programme for the club’s intermediate |lrid junior carnival* ttt the end of next month will also be arranged. . A ■ keen and. generous Supporter of swimming has ' been removed by. the death of Mr Vernon Smith, who was a vice-president of the Kiwi Ginb'. Mr Smith was "in the habit 'of awarding cups annually for competition among the junior swimmers of. the club, and the big improvement made by many of them- has been due to tlie incentive offered by the contests for these cups. Mr Smith was a great believer in the encouragement of the younger element, ■and his kindly presence will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know him. r The Oamaru Club's* carnival is flow to be held to-morrow, and the appearance of several New Zealand champions from Dunedin should add to the interest being taken in' the fixture. P. E. Mathieson (national back stroke champion and record-holder), .Miss Gwen Rix (national ladies’ diving champion). Miss Islay Purdie (tho New Zealand intermediate girls’'• 100 and 220 yards champion and record-holder), and J. I>. O’Driscoll (runner-up in the New Zealand 440 yards and one-mile championships) have all accepted invitations to compete. ' The following Saturday the Ravensbourne regatta will be held, and as a good swimming programme has been arranged, it- is hoped the local competitors will attend in full force.

' Miss P. Sporle, who has been in Dunedin throughout the present season and represented Otago with great credit at the recent national championships, lias returned to-her home in Feilding, but will probably return to Dunedin before the beginning of next season.* Miss Sporlo showed marked improvement during the season, and at the championship - meeting proved herself to be in the first flight of New Zealand lady distance' swimmers. Two swimming enthusiasts have already agreed to take carloads of swimmers to Cromwell for that club’s seco.nd carnival on March 7,,and indications point to a most successful fixture resulting.' ' The Lawrence Club will .hold .its .first fixture on'March 14, when the fine new .baths at Lawrence will be officially opened. . There is only one way to stimulate. interest in' swimming in the country, and that is by enabling .members of the clubs .to see the best swimmers in action, and Lawrence is to bo, commended on following the example of other country clubs in this respect.

Leonard Spence, of the New York A.C.. American national indoor 220yds breast-stroke champion, who is not an American citizen, has announced he will represent Bermuda at the Berlin’Olympiad.

Dan Zehr, of North-western University. one of the American top-notch hack stroke stars, was a triple winner in the yearly varsity-freshman engagement staged in the 60ft home pool. After, scoring an easy victory in the 150vds hack stroke test in Imin 43 3-lOsoc. Zehr captured the 100yds and 200vds free style swims in 57 4-ssec and 2min 9Jsec (writes Mr L. Do B. Handlev). It is interesting to note that P. E. Mathieson’s Now Zealand record of Imin 42 4-osec was put up in a 33 l-3yd pool, and he won easily also.

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