SWIMMING

Evening Star, Issue 23438, 1 December 1939, Page 4

SWIMMING

NOTES AND COMMENTS

[By Hookeb.]

FIXTURES. December 2,3, 8, 9.—St. Clair surf givrl life sating championships. _ December 6 and 7.—Otago senior, intermediate, and junior championships, Municipal Baths, _ December 9.—Balclutha Club s carnival December Cup surf life saving competition, at St. Clair. December 10.—Logan Cup life saving competitions, at St, Clair. December itt.-—Kiwi and West End Cluba’ dual meet, at Timaru. . December 20.—Otago Centre’s mterolub carnival. Municipal Baths, January i4.—-Batt Cup Harbour Race, at Macandrew Bay. January 17, 18, and 20-New Zealand Centennial intermediate and junior swimming championships, at Dunedin. January 27.—Otago country cluba championships, at Balolutha, January (date to be fixed).— Otago surf life saving championships, at lnVe Febniary 3.—Taieri Club’s carnival, at 10.—Toko. Club’s carnival, at Milton. ... „ . February 10, 12, and 14.—New Zealand Centennial senior national championships, at Wellington. February 16, 17, and 18.->ew Zealand eurf championships, at WellingtoFebruary 17.—Kaikorai Club’s carni24.—Owaka Club’s carniV3 Mareh 2.—Balclutha’s Club’s carnival.

RECORD-HOLDER TO REAPPEAR. After an illness which checked his competitive swimming activities last summer, Beg Geddes Ka» resumed with the zest that has always characterised his efforts on behalf - of the sport, though he finds it more, difficult , nowadays to secure opportunities for training regularly. He has made areturn to form at water, polo, and last week represented Otago in each of the water polo, flying squadron, 500yds relay and diving contests with Southland, and though it is a long time since he gave serious attention to free style swimming—h© lias concfintcratfid. mainly on breast stroke for many years—he swfim a good 100yds. He does not engage much in competitive free style events, but has announced his intention of contesting the Otago 100yds. men’s breast stroke championship next week. Geddes’s record in breast stroke "swimming has been -a remarkable one. In 1928-29-30 he won the .New Zealand junior boys’ breast stroke titles over 75yds, and left a record behind him which was broken subsequently by G. P. Chambers, a member of Geddes’s own club. Kiwi, at the time and a Dudil of Geddes’s own grandfather and coach, Mr Alex Greig. In 1931-32-33 Geddes won the New Zealand intermediate boys’ 100yds breast stroke championship, and his record of 73 -3-ssec,. which was. put up at Dunedin 'in 1933 not only still stands as a New Zealand intermediate record, but m actually two seconds faster than the „ existing national senior record, held by LeU Smith, of Wanganui, whom Geddes v beat in tne 100yds invitation breast stroke scratch race at the national meeting in Dunedin in 1936. That year Geddes was runner-up in the New Zealand 220yds men’s breast stroke championship. but in the last year, or two a knee injury has prevented him from doing full justice to himself. Should he be anywhere near form next week he may be depended on to, give a good account of himself. An indication of his all-round prowess was shown when as a junior he won New Zealand junior titles for 220yds free style twice and lOQyds once. Several , times he won the diving championship of the Kiwi Club, and there are not many active competitors who have been associated with - the sport so long as he has and still continue to do much to foster interest in swimming.

LADIES’ CHAMPION IN FORM. The reward of painstaking training and plenty of long distance work has been gained by Mke Islay Purdie, the Otago ladies’ champion. Swimming at the centre’s second interclub carnival on Saturday night, she was timed in 67 l-ssec in winning her heat of the 100yds interclub handicap, and also finished third in the final. Her best is 64 4-ssec, which she clocked in set- .. ling a New Zealand intermediate girls’ 100yds free style record at Hamilton in 1936, but last week’s performance was ■ the fastest she has done in the Dunedin pool over the distance, though she has beaten it on a number of occasions elsewhere. There was real merit in this swim, for she has been concentrating 1 mainly on distance work for weeks past, timing her schedule with the national championships in view, but since she will be indulging in more sharp work from now on she should be capable of faster times by a good margin. Miss Purdie promises this season to produce the best performances of her career, and all the more credit is due to her because of the splendid part she has played in her club’s activities. She is assistant-secretary of the Kiwi Club and one of its most capable coaches, and she also acts as starter’s steward at intferclub carnivals.

INTERMEDIATE’S FAST HUNDRED. His performances in the junior division last season stamped Colin Sell as one of Otago’s best prospects, and that he has made advance he has shown already at the two carnivals at which he has competed this season. Sell was runner-up in the two free style and the hack stroke events at the New Zealand junior championships last season, and this season has entered the intermediate class. His performance at last Saturday night’s carnival in the 100yds intermediate and junior free style handicap was one of the most impressive swims of the night, the Kiwi boy being timed in 62 3-ssec in finishing second in his heat from the scratch mark. This represents one of his fastest swims to date, and suggests that before the season is over ho should be breaking 6Qsec for the distance. Sell has smoothed out his stroke considerably, and is getting up his elbows a little higher, and the slight modification ho has adopted in his stroke should prove beneficial.

STILL IN CHAMPIONSHIP CLASS. If J. D. O’Driscoll, of the Dunedin Glob, still liked to get down to intensive training he has it in him to regain New Zealand honours oyer the longer distances. In 1935, while still a pupil attending Christian Brothers High School, O’Driscoll signalised his eighteenth birthday by winning the national men’s 880yds free stvle title. The following year he was placed in the three distance events at the New Zealand championships at Dunedin, going closest in the qnaitcr-niilc. in which Len Newell, of Canterbury, beat

him by the barest margin after a great tussle. Since then O’Driscoll has given national competition a miss, but he was a member of Otago’s winning water polo team at the New Zealand championships in New Plymouth in 1938. He was selected for Invercargill last season in the water polo side, but could not travel south. It was a tribute to his play that M. B. Taylor, who has captained Otago for some years past and is one of the provincial selectors, stood aside as skipper in favour of O’Driscoll for last week’s game, and O’Driscoll made a good job of his new responsibility, also playing an excellent game. Swimming the last “ leg ” of the 500yds flying squadron relay championship, he reduced the leeway and was timed to do just over the minute, a good effort, seeing that he has done no racing this season. O’Driscoll will be a competitor # in several events at the Otago championships next week. ST. CLAIR SURF NOTES. Surf activity is now under way at St. Clair, and with the number of events to be held during the next two or three weeks keenness is. becoming much more apparent. A section of the club championships—beltman’s and surfman’s championships—is to be held on Saturday afternoon and Sunday

'morning, and the entries give indication of being the best to date despite the adverse weather that has been experienced. . On Sunday afternoon beach day is being held in aid of the special Hospital appeal. The following members have been selected for the various events: — / March Past.—H. Devlin, J. Durand, E. B. Toase, O. W. Elliott, H. D. Gillies, H. R. Callender, A. G. Beadle, J. B. Robert, J. G. Reid, Cranston, p, D, Young, J, D, Alexander, I. Rodgerson, K. R. Leckie, A. Raines, A. Pritchard, J. M'lndoe, It. B. Ingram, C. Lawrence, R. Buchanan, I. Wilson, G. D. Anderson, A, Deuehrass, Algie, A. Tye, E. Dolan, Watts, M, Goodwin, V. Aldous, Bewley, J. Swan, I. Hav, and H. James. Flag Race.—J. G. Reid, P. D. Young, A. Raines, R. B. Ingram, A. Tye, I. Hav, J. Swan, H. R. Callender, E. B. Toase, A. G. Beadle, K. 11. Leckie, C. Lawrence, W. H. Dyson. Canoes. —J. Swan, V. 'Aldous, I. Hay, H. James, Walker, H. D. Gillies, Gqre, Rodgerson, M. Goodwin, and With noil, • r, Displavs.—Senior; Six-man—J. B. Robert, E. B. Toase, H. R. Callender, A. G. Beadle, H. D. Gillies. C. W. Elliott; four-man—J. Durand, Cranston, I. Rodgerson, and K, R. Leckie. Junior: Six-man—C. Lawrence, I. Wilson, R. Buchanan, J, M'lndoe, R. B. Ingram, J. Deuehrass. Surf Boat. —H. D. Gillies, J. Swan, I. Hay, J. James, I. Rodgerson. The club’s congratulations are extended to Mr W. N. Woods on the success attained by the King’s High School in the recent secondary schools life-saving championship. There is no doubt that the success of the team is due in no small measure to the coaching given the hoys by Mr Woods. The keenness shown for life-saving at King’s High School is a source of satisfaction to the St. Clair Surf Lifesaving Club, as it is to the school that it looks for its future members. Two juniors showing keenness are R. B. Ingram and A. Deuehrass. In connection with the Sagar Cup members are reminded that it is up toi each individual team to get together and arrange for training, as this will eliminate a lot of work hy_ the club officials, who will have sufficient to do in the coaching of the teams. The canoe section of the club has been very active lately in getting the boats ready for the season, and in one or two cases canoes have, been taken down and recanvassed. This side of the club’s activities is looked upon as a purely pleasurable one, but, in conjunction with the surf boat, the canoes have proved their worth on more than one occasion.

INTERPROVINCIAL CONTESTS. Otago’s victory in the interprovincial water polo match over Southland by 7 goals to 2 last Saturday night was due to superior handling, positional play, and combination, but there was some excuse for Southland’s lack of concerted effort since the team Las had little opportunity for practice this season. There was too little attempt made by the visitors, however, to launch organised attacks, and it was not until well on in the game that they realised the folly of sending*in very long shots instead of working in concert to get closer to the goal. K. Shaw, A. Brown, and D. Davis were a good trio iu the Southland team, and Otago’s best players were B. Kerr, J. D. O’Driscoll, and M. Taylor. The lastnamed is invaluable in. any team, and it is doubtful if there is another player in New Zealand with a better all-round practical knowledge of the game than Taylor. O’Driscoll played one of his best games to date. Southland had its successes, however, scoring a good win in the flying squadron 500yds relay and in the three-a-side diving, each of which carried 5 points, as against the 10 for the water polo. The diving, which consisted of plain headers from each board, was not so good as might have been anticipated. ZENITH NOTES. After a short spell A. Main has resumed training, and should give a, good account of himself in the Otago junior boys’ championships. Two newcomers are W. M'Millan and A. Briggs, both of whom are progressing well with the kick, A little more attention to relaxation would give them greater speed. T. Johnson, a junior, is learning the secret of breathing in swimming, but should endeavour to keep his head up. L. Winefield, L. Brown, and R. Sherik are promising young swimmers, but more attention should bo given to the finer points. All should be ready for competition shortly, H. Dowland, who has resumed training, should endeavour to correct his arm action. Tl. Dowland and M. Buckland are in training for the long distance races, and also the harbour race, in which they should figure prominently.

Miss P. Black is developing a strong kick, and should be into advanced swimming soon. Miss C. Daglish is gaining more confidence, and Miss C. Macdonald is employing a perfect kick, and should be starting on the arm action soon. Miss O. h niton, and Miss E. Scott are also showing improvement.

A junior water polo competition has again been organised, and considerable keenness is being displayed. PROMISING BREAST STROKE EXPONENTS.

With competitors getting a proper lino on their competitive times, the declared time system of handicapping operated much more smoothly at last Saturday night’s carnival, and finishes without exception were very close indeed. Several competitors improved by more than the allowed margin, and one of the unlucky ones was Jim Purdie, who finished first in his heat of the 100yds intermediate and junior free style handicap and also in the final of the 66 2-3yds intermediate and junior breast stroke handicap. In the latter event especially his 57soc was a good swim, but the best times were recorded by his club mates, Harvey Newall and Bob Peat, who dead heated in their heat, the former being timed in 54 2-ssec and Peat in 53 2-ssec. Both swam very well, and when these lads and several others meet in the Otago intermediate boys’ 100yds breast stroke championship next week there should be some good times returned. The intermediate and junior breast stroke event on Saturday night produced good material, and there is no getting away from the popularity of this style in Otago. Winner of the final was Miss E. Grenfell, a newcomer to competition from the Dunedin Club, who shows promise, and was timed in her heat in 69sec. RECORDHOLDERS CONTEST ISSUE. If there is a fitter man when . the national championships arc decided at Wellington than W. H. Dyson he should be worth watching, for Dyson has under*gone a most thorough preparation in his effort to win the national 100yds and 220yds men’s breast stroke titles, in which last season he filled the position of runner-up each time. The Kiwi swimmer has won both breast stroke events in which he has started at the centre carnivals this season, and in both the 100yds and 220yds handicaps second place each time has been filled by his club mate, Miss Winnie Dunn. Last season Dyson set records for 200 metres, 220yds, andl 400 metres breast stroke, and with the New Zealand championships some 10 weeks distant his 3min 9sec for the furlong last week was a fine swim, although it was 8 4-ssec outside his own New Zealand record. Nevertheless, the only swimmers in Otago who have bettered last week s time her© are Dyson himself and J. C W. Davies. Dyson is likely to turn in much faster time over 100yds this year, and the strong finish he has always possessed is being developed still further. ' . Miss Dunn is leaving nothing to chance in her training to defend her national titles at Wellington, and she has laid the foundations for good performances ahead by her attention to distance work for stamina. Now that she is getting on to faster work, too, it will not bo long before she is approaching her own record marks, for she is swimming particularly well, ami went a good race in the 220yds breast stroke on Saturday night, being beaten by half a yard by Dyson, who was conceding her 22sec. VALUE OF CONCENTRATION. Concentration has its place in swimming, and a competitor who is prepared to specialise is bound eventually to reap the reward. One such is Ivan Hall, the Kiwi intermediate, who gained third place in the New Zealand 100yds intermediate boys’ back stroke championship at Rotorua last year, Whenever a free style handicap comes along Hall is almost invariably a starter, employing a good back stroke, and on Saturday night he gained second place in the 100yds intermediate and junior free style handicap, while in winning a semi-final of the interclub event he was timed in 79 3-Ssec. This is several seconds below what he will bo capable of when properly tuned up, and since there is a likelihood of strong competition in the Otago championships good time should be registered in the intermediate boys’ back stroke event. Hall’s most serious opposition is likely to come from Colin Sell and lan Johnston, who are both useful back stroke exponents as well as free stylo swimmers. Johnston gave evidence of improvement at free style on Saturday night by winning the 100yds intermediate and junior event in 76 2-ssec. SPLASHES. At the Collegiate Club’s carnival at Invercargill last week Miss Beryl Westerby, the New Zealand junior girls’ free style and back stroke champion, won the Southland 50yds intermediate girls’ free style championship in 30 2-ssec, only 1 l-ssec outside Miss D. Symon’s Southland record. Miss S. Brown won the 75yds intermediate girls’ breast stroke championship in 67 3-ssec, H. Parkinson the 100yds junior boys’ free style championship in 74sec, and Miss B. Fitzgerald the 50 yards junior girls’ breast stroke championship in 45sec. Members of the Kiwi Club who visited Invercargill for the Collegiate Club’s carnival last week speak highly of the form displayed by Miss Joyce Macdonald, the New Zealand women’s 100yds and 200 metres back stroke champion and holder also of the New Zealand intermediate girls’ 100yds title. Miss Macdonald, who holds all the New Zealand women’s back stroke records, has been training for the greater part of the off season, and she pays such attention to technique as well as to acquiring physical fitness that it will occasion no surprise if she improves upon last season’s record figures in the present season. Conceding Miss Islay Purdie 9sec, Miss Macdonald was beaten by only a touch in 86 2-ssec in the 100yds back stroke handicap. The Otago girl has not done much back stroke swimming this year, and her performance was a good one under the circumstances. The Kiwi team, comprising Miss I. Purdie, D. Freeman, I. Hall, and W. H. Dyson, won the interclub relay, and D. Freeman was second in the diving event to A. Branks, who was conceding him 5 points and who was runner-up in the New Zealand championship at New Plymouth in 1938. The entries in all classes for the Otago senior, intermediate, and junior championships next week are the best for many years, and with keen competition the racing should be interesting and some good times returned. The championship carnivals will be held on Tuesday and Thursday, and several

events will be decided at club hours, the first being held at the St. Clair Club hour on Monday night, at 7. - P. D. Young,' the provincial half and one-mile; free style champion, is confining himself to the longer distance events at the Otago championships, but he has sharpened' up a little by tackling the shorter events, and he gained a second place in the 100yds interclub event on Saturday. In the semi-final he did 67 l-ssec, but ho should soon be reducing this time by two or three seconds. Young is a powerful swimmer and he is acquiring a smoother stroke. Although Miss Elma Abernathy has given most time to back stroke swimming in previous seasons and has held Otago titles at that style, she has shown promise as a free style exponent this year, and a win in the 100yds interclub handicap in 79sec from the 18sec mark on Saturday night was well deserved. The first country carnival of the season will be held by Balclutha Club, which is staging a well-varied programme on December 9. entries closing on December 1. The programme is: 33 l-3yds junior boys’ free style handicap, 33 l-3yds junior girls’ free stylo handicap, 50yds local free style handicap, 50yds interclub back stroke handicap, 60yds interclub junior and intermediate breast stroke handicap, interclub diving handicap, 100yds in* torclub life-saving handicap, lOOvds interclub free style handicap, 100yds interclub breast stroke handicap, and 133 l-3yds interclub free style relay handicap. Falling not far short of Jack O’Dris* coil’s standard at Saturday night’s carnival was Ted Toase. the Dunedin Club captain, who won a heat of the 100yds interclnb handicap in 61 3-ssec. Toase is a steady, consistent swimmer, and while he has still to fulfill all his earlier promise, ho has the ability to improve still further..