SWIMMING

Evening Star, Issue 23128, 30 November 1938, Page 4

SWIMMING

[By Hooker.]

FIXTURES. December 6 and B.—Otago senior, intermediate, and junior championships. Municipal Baths. December 10. —Balclutha Amateur Swimming Club’s carnival. December 17.—Kiwi and West End Clubs’ dual meet, at Tiinaru. January 15. Batt Cup harbour swim, Macandrew Bay.

Janary 21.—Country clubs’ championships, at Cromwell; Dunedin Club’s harbour swim.

January 26 to 28.—New Zealand intermediate and junior championships, at Rotorua. February I. —Dunedin Amateur Swimming Club’s carnival. February 14 to 18.—New Zealand national championships, at Invercargill. February 19. —Annette Kellerman Cup harbour swim, at Bluff. February 21 and 22.—Maori championships, at Dunedin. February 25.—T0k0. Club’s carnival, at Milton... .. .March IoL-Otago University Club’s carnival. April 10. —New Zealand University .championships, at; Dunedin. ST. CLAIR NOTES As reported during the week, the Sagar Cup was held last Sunday, and ■provided an interesting competition, members showing good form for this time of the season. H. D. Gillies as usual swam a good race, but his time suffered through his being the first swim of the day, and other competitors profited from his experience by allowing for the drift. E. Toase was fortunate in that he did not strike a particularly heavy sea, but nevertheless his speed was outstanding, and he registered fastest time. P. D. Young was also fortunate in.this respect, and put up second fastest time.

% AV. Dyson, who gained third fastest time, did not have the easiest of seas to encounter, and had it not been for the fact'that he is'particularly fit his time would have been a lot slower. . As it was, his was an outstanding swim, and 1 had he met a small sea would’have gone close to fastest time honours. J. Robert, in fourth place, showed the benefit derived from training at the baths, and is an improved swimmer in the' belt. K. Leckie and C. Eidd were a little disappointing, but Leckie is capable of better, and lack of swimming may have been the reason for his not registering faster time. . C.-Kidd, had a heavy sea, and this was his first experience of competition here. However, he is a reliable swimmer, and good performances are expected from him later, when he gets more surf experience.

A. G. Beadle would have done better had he had time to train, but his was, nevertheless, a good swim. His energetic work before the competition in instructing new members did not allow him any time to devote to training, otherwise he would have kept the top men busy.

I. Rodgerson swam very well in view of the fact that he has just entered senior status, and should prove to be one of the club’s best beltmen.

C. Elliott swam well, but is capable of a better performance, Amongst the juniors, most of whom were having their first swim in surf competition, the following performed well:—I. Anderson. A. Cunningham, A. Deachrass, S. Myles, and B. Ingram, while A. Carter worked smartly on the line.

In the water polo competition the club is level with Kiwi and Zenith, and have been showing great improvement. All are playing well, and J. D. Alexander proved a tower of strength in goal last week. A member who would have developed into a serviceable player was I. Hay, but unfortunately he played in only one game, and other swimming interests have occupied his time. A visitor to the beach last Sunday was D. J. Shanahan, a former member of the club, and now secretary of the West End Club, Timaru. “ Dan ” could not resist the call of the surf, and substituted for an absent member as patient in one of the Sagar Cup teams, and showed that he had not lost any of his ability at taking the quickest and shortest way to the buoy. He no doubt wishes there was a good surf at Timaru, where he could demonstrate “ breaker shooting ” to the Timaruvians. KIWI JOTTINGS

With the championships drawing close, attendances at the club hone have been exceptionally good, and the early morning training session conducted by the club captain, A. Thomas, has been very, well attended. It is many years since there have been so many promising breast stroke swimmers in the club, and the coaching of Mr A. Greig, Mr Bert Isaacs, and Miss Winnie Dunn is reflected in tjie swimming of many of the young competitors who will he seen in action at the Otago championships next week. A promising breast stroke exponent is Anette Armour, who will be competing at the championships. Pat Wenborn left her training a little late, but is now showing form, and but for a “ break ” would have won the intermediate event at the club’s carnival last week. Ivan Hall has been training solidly, and should give an excellent account of himself in the intermediate boys’ IQOvds back stroke next week. He did 53 3-ssec for the 66 2-3yds back stroke last week, a big improvement on anything be has done previously. Don-Reid is a painstaking coach, and is also training solidly himself. In the

Notes and Comments H

distances especially he should be well to the fore, for he is swimming with a much freer stroke than previously. David Caddie is the makings of a good junior diver. He should endeavour to secure greater height from the board, for he is a neat performer. Mr A. Greig has effected a big improvement in Dick Isaacs’s style, and from the back mark the boy swam a good race in the 33 ; \yds breast stroke under 12 at the club’s carnival. Other youthful breast stroke exponents showing good form are Graeme Sinclair, Vic. Simonsen, and Douglas Hannah. L. Barrett shows just as much aptitude for free style swimming as for the breast stroke, but he must endeavour to get his elbows up a little higher. Ho could copy his brother’s style in this respect. Eddie Dolan is the most improved intermediate swimmer in the club, and should do well in the 100yds championship in his division next week. Edna Goldthorpe is swimming both on, free style and back stroke, and should figure in championship competition in the intermediate division. Miss Greta Harris has resumed her swimming in earnest, and considering the short time she has been training, is moving well on the back stroke. She will tackle the 100yds ladies’ back ’ stroke event next week. Gay Harrison is an improving junior free style swimmer, and she signalised her entry into interelub competition bv winning her heat of the 50yds intermediate and junior handicap. Marjorie Goldthorpe is showing improved times on breast stroke, and should be prominent in the junior event next week. A strong team will be making the trip to Timaru on December 17 for the dual meet with the West End Club. The Vernon Smith Memorial Cup junior boys and girls’ handicap senes are nenring completion and will be iollowed by a handicap series for competitors in the 12 and under section. DUNEDIN DOINGS It is most gratifying to find many cf the parents taking an interest in the activities of the club. Largo attendances are still being maintained. Die 33 l-3yds free style race for the MTaggert Cup will be held to-night. Races for the Ferguson Cup will oe held at a later date. ; A newcomer to the club is Miss D. Marslin, who promises well in the intermediate ranks. . S. M'Dougall is showing good term. His son is also getting down to training and should give a good account or himself. ... ~ Joan Kerr is swimming well on the breast stroke and has obtained a better glide. , , , W. M'Donnell is a good club man. He can turn his hand to polo or to swimming, and he is also a good diver. M. White lias the natural ability as a free style swimmer, and with more practice should be in the running at the championships. Jack Hogg has been working very hard on the free style and will tackle the mile event at the championships. Miss Lorraine Phelan has started training again. She is a strong swimmer with good relaxation. Roy M‘Taggart and Graham Jenkins have both showed improvement from last year, but should concentrate on more training. No junior member has shown more improvement than Jack Longworth. This boy is very keen and will soon be taking part in competition. Allan M'lntosh is an improved junior swimmer, and with more long distance work will show up well on the free style. Bruce and Jack Ingram are consistent attenders at the dub hours and are tackling their work with enthusiasm.

ZENITH COMMENTS Lesley and Ruth VVaddel are both starting well, and have confidence in the water. J. Johnson has developed a more correct style. O. Smith is kicking on the board with plenty of vigour. S. Johnson is kicking on the side very well. B. Smith is relaxing well, but should endeavour to keep his elbows higher. Mavis Bode won the 33-J- under 12 in fine style at the Kiwi carnival. E. Lawrenson also swam well at the carnival. H. Borland is showing some of his old form. G. O’Sullivan is a promising young swimmer with a well-timed kick. J. Perry is the most promising of Zenith’s junior swimmers, and is progressing very well with the correct kick. The junior polo matches are causing a groat deal of excitement between the two teams selected by Mr W. W. Buckland and Mr W. H. Bucklnnd. The best players are I. AC Ewan, R. Patterson, A. Main, and R. Rowland. KAIKORAI ACTIVITIES There was an excellent attendance at the club session on Saturday last, and some pupils from the Wakari School attended in response to the club’s invitation to teach them to swim. With more tuition they will he able to manage the width quite easily. Joy Sloan was present for the first time this season, and with coaching and plenty of practice will develop into quite a useful swimmer. Jim Hermiston needs to use the hoard and do some consistent hard work. Bill Peters, one of the youngest club members, can manage to paddle round on his back very well, and is now practising free style across the width. EDUCATIONAL WORK THROUGHOUT DOMINION

Mr Baxter O'Neill was re-elected hon. secretary of the New_ Zealand Amateur Swimming Association at the annual meeting last week for the twenty-first consecutive occasion, and, in referring to the Learn to Swim ” campaign, which is to be conducted throughout the country this summer, ho stated that a circular would he sent before the holi-

! days to every child in every school in the Dominion. Mr O’Neill said that tjio plan would involve the sending out of 250,000 circulars, which would be in the form of illustrated instructions on the lines of the association’s official instructor. It is intended to allow the i children to have them so that they can j study them during the holidays, and be i prepared for the climax of the “ Learn i to Swim” campaign in February, when even the smallest place would have ■ someone to teach non-swimmers.

| Although the Otago Centre is holding its annual “ Learn to Swim ” campaign in November as usual, it is co-operating in the national campaign by holding another in February, when it is reckoned at least 100 instructors will bo available in Dunedin, and for the whole of Otago at least 200, so that this province may well count itself as making a creditable contribution to the scheme to provide 1,000 instructors for the whole of the Dominion.

Mr F. G. Dunn, who was re-elected president of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, has done a great deal to develop the educational side of the council’s work. Describing the many activities that would be undertaken, Mr Dunn mentioned that where it was not possible to provide tuition in baths, or other stretches of water, it. was proposed to take small canvas baths to schools, fill them with water, and carry on the work. Further, within the next fortnight it was hoped to start a tour of the whole Dominion by two of the best available swimmers. The Government had provided £250 for the tour, which should prove of inestimable benefit. EMPIRE GAMES TEAM A gratifying feature of the Empire Gaines swimming team has been the willingness of members to put back into the sport some part of that which they have taken out of it, and since the return of the team Misses Mona Leydem, Joyce Macdonald, and Gwen Rix have alf taken part in an educational tour of the North Island. Miss Winnie Dunn being prevented from, doing so merely by her inability to obtain leave. Miss Dunn has, however, done splendid work in coaching young breast stroke exponents, and coaching work has also been carried out in Auckland by Noel Crump, representative at the 1934 and 1938 Empire Games. Peter Hanan was laid aside through an operation soon after his return, and Len Newell recently underwent an operation. Newell has always shown a willingness to appear at carnivals in other parts of the Dominion, and even before being selected for the Empire Games J. C. W. Davies assisted in an educational tour by University swimmers on the West Const and to Nelson. Miss Macdonald has already given further evidence of her willingness to assist by coming from Invercargill to compete at the Kiwi Club’s carnival, despite the fact that she had to swim in a Southland championship event the following night. She is also to appear in Christchurch next week. Already this season this 16-year-old swimmer has established a New Zealand ladies’ 200 metres hack stroke record of 3min lOsec, and in competition with some of New Zealand’s best men back stroke exponents, the Southland intermediate finished just out of a place in the 100yds invitation event last Wednesday, her time of 77 3-ssec being only 1 2-ssec slower than her New Zealand record. At Invercargill the following night Miss Macdonald won the 50yds intermediate Southland free style title convincingly in 31 4-ssec, and then in dead-heating for first place in a 100yds back stroke handicap registered 76sec, which is one-fifth of a second faster than her official New Zealand record. SPLASHES The New Zealand intermediate 220yds champion, J., C. Cameron, retained his Southland intermediate title over this distance at the ex-pupils’ carnival at Invercargill last Thursday in 2min 47 l-ssec, after leading from start to finisli. Walden Johnson, the cx-Auckland and Otago swimmer, who did not engage in much competition in Dunedin last season, won the 100yds Southland title in Imin 0 3-ssec, Keith Shaw (the Southland breast stroke

champion) being a touch back second, with A. C. Millar third. Later in the evening Millar won a 100yds free style handicap in 58 3-ssec, which was actually 1 l-ssec faster than the Southland record.

The Otago Centre has been advised by the New Zealand Council that there is nothing to prevent a junior swimmer from competing in an intermediate event in centre championships unless the centre rules forbid it. The sole prohibition in the association laws is in respect to New Zealand championships—local championships are not affected;

The opening of the Middlemarch baths will now take place on December 10, and although this clashes with the Balclutha Club’s carnival it is hoped that at least a few swimmers from Dunedin will be able to make the trip to Midlemarch to stage demonstrations and take part in a few races. The Otago Centre’s educational officer (Mr D. C. Bannatyne) is conducting the “ Learn to_ Swim ” campaign at Lawrence this week, and will be at Milton for the following fortnight, the Balclutha campaign being conducted by Mr H. R. Isaacs. Entries for the Otago championships do not close until to-night, but already the indications are that the two carnivals to be held next week will attract better entries than any championship meeting in recent years. The carnivals .will be held on December 6 and 8, and events will be swum at the club hours on other nights during that week.

Mr W. T. Parata, the well-known Maori Rugby official and sportsman, called on the writer lafet. week and stated that a swimming pool was being constructed at Omakau, where it was hoped to form a club. Mr Parata has been co-opted as a member of the Otago Centre for the Maori championships, and he says he is hopeful that some of the Maori competitors will visit Omakau after the championships in Dunedin. In connection with the Maori meeting, the local centre has been advised by the secretary of the council (Mr Baxtfer O'Neill) that there will bo a team of Maoris from Temuka taking part. They are very keen on a scratch race being included on the programme for Maoris from the South Island.

The Alexandra Club proposes holding a carnival on Saturday, December 31, and the Wanaka Club on Sunday, January 1. It is hoped to arrange for a team of Dunedin swimmers and divers to compete at both meetings. A decision in favour of a proposal to raise a loan not exceeding £18,500, with a currency of 25 years, was made by ratepayers of Newmarket (Auckland), at a poll last week, by a majority of 400 votes. It is proposed under the borough scheme to provide an Olympic swimming pool and other amenities, including the provision of motor car parking areas near the shopping area of Newmarket. The voting was as follows :—For, 430; against, 30. The total number of voters on the roll was 936.