SWIMMING

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 31 October 1925, Page 14

SWIMMING

The Hawcra baths are now open, and if the weather will only cease its vagaries turn to its own particular business, cease being so wayward and give us what is- our due at this time of the year, they will b© well patronised. Thursday morning, after a frost during the night, was gorgeous fbr a brisk walk, but it would need some resolution to take a dip in the water outside. Nevertheless, a surprising number turned up for an early morning swim at the baths, and their attitude suggested that “the game was worth the candle.” It is to be hoped the weather will mend and permit of continuity in their early morning exhilaration.

Generally speaking the prospects look very good, not only in South Taranaki, but in the North, and one will look with interest to the first carnival of the season. It is doubtful if there will be many swimmers of note, and Hawera is certainly unfortunate in losing Frank Grant, a good swimmer, a live member and withal a good sport in every way. Life-saving has not taken on very much in South Taranaki, but it flourishes well in the North. There has always seemed ample room for its development. here. With the beaches and the rivers so well patronised the need seems, and in fact is, imperative. Efforts have been made in the past, but not with the greatest success. It is to be hoped that they who have at heart the cause of swimming will not be in despair, but will try once more to enlist the support of the community in their efforts. It. is rapidly becoming an urgent matter.

CANTERBURY CENTRE. The annual report for the Canterbury centre stated tnat the season opened with' 19 affiliated clubs, but. with, the formation of the Ashburton Centre the Ashburton and East Ashburton CluDs had seceded; however, with the reatiiiiation of the Christchurch Club, the season closed with 22 clubs. The centre’s thanks were due to the Municipal Baths Committee for the assistance given the centre and clubs, and to Mr. H. Breward (baths custodian), and his staff. The linancial position had improved during the year. In view of the fact that the centre Avould have to meet a number of tours to future Dominion championships, especially the forthcoming one at Napier, it behoved all clubs and swimmers to endeavour to assist the centre in building up the touring fund, thus ensuring proper representation. It would be necessary for the incoming centre to decide upon the dates of the provincial championships as early as possible. v In formally, moving the report and balance-sheet, the chairman said the centre had come through a most strenuous year. Regarding the New Zealand cnampi'onships, he said the centre had been handicapped by the epidemic of infantile paralysis. There did not seem to have been so much vim and ‘ ‘ kick ’ ’ in the club carnivals as previously. The financial position was good. He congratulated the centre on its year’s work.

IN AUCKLAND. Never before (says the Herald) has the outlook for a swimming season in Auckland been so full of promise as at present. The city now possesses,, II swimmers who hold New Zealand championship titles or records, so that local carnivals should be up to the standard of a Dominion championship meeting, with competition of the highest order. With so many good swimmers competing it will be surprising if several of the existing records are not lowered before the season ends and if some new talent is not discovered. All can be expected to give of their best with the object of selection for the New Zealand championships at Napier. ' In deference to the general opinion that the last championships should have been held earlier than in February this season’s tournament at Napier has been set down for January 23, 25, 27 and 29, with the Kellerman Cup race on January 28. The Auckland championships must therefore be decided by the middle of January, and probably they will be held between the last week in December and the first fortnight in the New Year under the jurisdiction of the Auckland Centre. The team chosen should be a formidable one, and quite capable of retaining the Yaldhurst Shield. At Napier the events will be decided in the salt water baths, which hfive the reputation of being the fastest in the /Dominion, and in that case local representatives will have conditions in their favour,, as the greater part, of their swimming is done in salt water, which is admittedly better than fresh water for the establishment of fast times. „ As in the past the New Zealand Association has been busy negotatng during the winter for a visit from one of America’s famous swimmers, but so far nothing definite has been decided upon.

It was hoped that J. Weismuller,* the greatest speed swimmer the world has ever known, would accept an Australian invitation, and extend his tour to the Dominion, but he has declined to xffake the trip, and for another year, at least, he will not leave his country, where his services at championship gatherings -are regarded as indispensable. . . Bearing in mind that a lady swimmer from overseas would meet with more opposition from' New Zealand ladies than would a man competing against our men, whose standard of prowess is far from high, the association then turned to Miss Gertrude Ederle, the young American swimmer, who recently made a great attempt to swim the English Channel. The matter is still in its elementary stages pending receipt of information from Australia, but if the association finally decides to carry out its proposal and Miss Ederle accepts its invitation the venture will be a great attraction. Even ..in the case of her refusal there are plenty more overseas swimmers in the first flight would could he approached. Indeed,, a visit from an Australian team would be by no means the Dominion body’s last resource, and would be a comparatively economical undertaking. Last year the sport suffered a severe reverse "through the infantile paralysis epidemic. No more striking proof of the interest taken in swimming by the school children of Auckland could have been disclosed than in the meagre attendances at galas and at the baths while the presence of children was prohibited. Baths difficulties also .had a retarding influence', hut these have . since been remedied, and the restoration of warm water at the Hobson street baths and of the fortnightly club nights are bound to bring, further progress.