“LEARN TO SWIM"

Evening Star, Issue 23122, 23 November 1938, Page 3

“LEARN TO SWIM"

LOCAL CAMPAIGN NEXT WEEK CTAGO CENTRE’S EFFORT [Bv 11 OOK Kit. ] To the Otago Swimming Centre belongs the distinction of instituting an annual " Learn to Swim Week ” on a regularly organised basis, and from tho movement begun here in a small way by a band ot .enthusiasts many years ago has sprung a Dominion-wide campaign, having as its aim the instruction of every able-bodied man. woman, and child in the community in tire necessary, useful, and recreational art of swimming.

Last seasun marked the initial effort of the National Committee of Swimming and Life Saving, and the success that attended the “ National Learn to Swim Campaign ” was shown by the fact that no fewer than 12.907 children or adults were taught to swim. Recognising that in fixing a definite series of dates to cover all districts many local difficulties are raised, the National Committee this year has deto make a cover-all period for the campaign as from November 1 last to March 31 next, thus allowing iJio various district committees a lengthy period during which they can concentrate their local effort during any particular week or weeks most convenient to the district. The Otago Swimming Centre lias invariably adopted the policy cf holding its campaign early in the season, so that many of those taught to swim may follow up instruction bv joining a club, and this year's effort lias been arranged to ’take place from Monday. November 28. to Saturday. December 3, but so wide lias the scope of instruction become and so groat .have been the demands for tuition that it has been decided to hold a subsidiary campaign in February. The services of instructors during I lie campaign are entirely voluntary, mil almost without exception those on 1 >rtaking this work have had experience of coaching swimmers in their respective clubs. They are prompted hy a desire to assist in the important matter of endeavouring to minimise and reduce to the lowest possible figure tho alarmingly large number of drowning cases in the Dominion. It has often been stressed that no person is too old and none to young to learn to swim, and tho effort being made throughout New Zealand has as its objective the teaching to main - more thousands at least the rudiments of swimming, so that they may gain in time that necessary selfconfidence which will hold them in good stead when in difficulties in the water. So much for the utilitarian side of swimming. On the recreational side no other sport can offer so much so cheaply, and having in mind tho fac. that New Zealand is a sea-rirt country it is surprising what a largo proportion of tho population cannot swim even tolerably well. The swimming organisations of the country aim at correcting this state of affairs, and with the co-operation of those seeking instruction duriiigf the coming campaign in Dunedin much may he accomplished. Instructors are being provided*by the centre and clubs at the. lunch hour, after work, and evening sessions, and these will he under the supervision of the centre’s educational officer (Mr D. C. Bannatyne) and the baths superintendent (Mr P. A. Mathiesonj. A special session for ladies will be held each afternoon.

All styles of swimming will be taught, according to the desire of the pupil, and a uniform method of instruction will be followed. The acquiring of proficiency in swimming depends as much on the pupil as the instructor, and by diligent practice and attention to the hints that are given there is no reason why many of those taking lessons should not acquire reasonable confidence and proficiency in the water by the end of the week. It is hoped thatgroups of school children will take advantage of the instructors provided in the lunch hour session to obtain tuition. Opportunity will also be afforded groups from business houses to obtain instruction, and every effort will be made to provide the same instructor each dav. Following the campaign in Dunedin, the Otago Centre's educational officer will undertake “ Learn to Swim ” campaigns at Balclutha, Milton. Alexandra, Roxburgh. Cromwell, and Lawrence. Oamnru is holding it« campaign frnjn December 5 to December 10. ________