SWIMMING.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 February 1932, Page 2

SWIMMING.

LAST SATURDAY'S CARNIVAL.

EXCELLENT SWIMMING.

COACH SUGGESTED FOR NEXT SEASON.

(Notes By “Natator”)

The final carniA’al of the Levin Amateur Swimming and Life-saving Club which Avas held last Saturday evening, Avas marred to a large extent by the boisterous weather. The rain, luckily, did not fall heavily until about half-Avay through the programme, Avheu it simply poured doAvn. Naturally the attendance Avas affected, as no doubt had the weather been fine, a record gathering Avould have resulted. It Avas very gratifying to see the public present in such numbers, however, considering the elements prevailing that evening.

A good standard of sAvimming avus Avitnessed and there Avere some very close finishes, during the sports, particularly _ in the men’s 25 yards dash, each of 'the four heats being won on the touch. The final suav Cicland winnarrowly from SieA 7 ers.

The 100 yards handicap Avas a good rade, the limit men setting a solid pace from the commencement and they eventually Avon. They Avere “all out’’ at the finish and just hold their lead long enough to beat Gallate, the scratch man.

Gallate, a IT at t swimmer, demonstrated iiis prowess in the back-stroke. His easy and powerful action saw him win from scratch, from his club-mate Milne, in the good time of 42 1-5 sec. In the 100 yards he gave Palmer, the local club captain, a start and beat him to the finishing post by about a yard. In the final of the 25 yards, for which he qualifield 'by winning the second heat, he did not start, reserving himself for the other races in which he was entered.

Cleland, of Hutt, won his heat in the men’s 25 yards dash in 14 4-5 seconds and in the final, won in the time of 14 1-5 sec.

P. Keedwell, a local swimmer, won the second heat of the men’s 50 yards in 32 2-5 see, winning by two lengths and in the final, although re-handicap-ped, won by a yard in 31 4-5 see. Keedwell swam well and deserved bis victory in the final. The breast-stroke race saw only two competitors, Tremewan (Hutt) and Dewe (Feilding). Tremewan, receiving a start from Dewe, swam very strongly and Dewe did not make up much leeway. It was expected that in the-final 25 yards, he would catch his opponent, but such was not the case, as the Hutt swimmer had some reserve, and Dewe, realising in the last lew yards that Hie could not catch Tremewan, eased up. Dewe will be remembered as creating a surprise in the breast stroke at the previous carnival by beating Smith, the New Zealand breast stroke champion. Dewe possesses a' nice free action and will always be a hard man to beat, i

I. Palmer, the Levin Club’s popular captain, had his first swim at the carnival this season. An accident kept him from training earlier in the season, and it was very doubtful if he would have been able to swim this year. He was second to Keedwell in the men’s 50 yards, (but unplaced in the final. In the men’s 25 yards dash Palmer won the third heat in 15 4-5 sec. and in the’ final was third to Cleland and Sievers, the time being 14 1-5 sec. The 100 yards saw him receive a handicap from Gallate but apparently lack of training told, as be was unplaced. It was in the flying squadron race that Palmer was at his best. In the final 25 yards of the race, he gave Gallate and Bade (Peilding) a start and it looked as if Bade would win, but Palmer simply tore through the water to win a very exciting race. The ladies race saw several new competitors. Misses H. Milne and P. Walker, local girls, making , their first appearance and there were some from Peilding. It was very gratifying to see the ladies’ events better filled than usual, there being eight competitors in the 25 yards and six in the 50 yards. It is hoped that next season, there will be further additions coming forward, as there is plenty of talent available locally. It only wants the girls to make a start.

The ladies’ dive saw four entrants, the winner -being Miss 11. Milne, a now competitor. Her standing dive

was very neat and her running dive , was also good. Her win was well decerved. The second prize-winner, Miss jj. Parsons, spoiled her dive by overbalancing, but possesses a good flight. The boys’ dive was an outstanding exhibition by the winner, T. Kerslake, who in bis standing and running dives, performed very neatly, his flight being excellent. His high dive was not quite so good, but he had too many points to be overtaken. His win was a popular one. J.Smaill gave a creditable exhibition and earned second place. Some of the boys do not Avorry about their flight; as long as they enter the water neatly, they think it is alright, but such is not the case as the judge takes into consideration the flight of the hody through the air. The men’s di\iing was \ T ery good, and the Avimißr, Bade of Feilding, proved his superiority over a very strong field. His first lavo dives were perfect, but "in the high dive he did not show nuite to advantage; nevertheless he deserved his win. The Intermediate Boys’ 50 Yards Kanawa tu Championship was an excelrace, the winner just winning on touch. At the end of the first length of the baths, Sievers had a good lead, hut on the final 25 yards ho appeared to tire, and Hurdle, the Feilding swimmer Avas overtaking him fast but Sievers held on and won an exciting race on touch. The time is very good for l3 °The success of the carnival Avas due no small measure to the club s energetic secretary, Mr E. Webb, avlio although neAV to the work until this season was busy with his secretarial and various duties and kept the carnival moving along smoothly. The handicapping Avas a credit to him and the club are fortunate in their painstaking official. _ A suggestion, that the Levin Cluo next season .could seriously consider m a suitable coach for local swimmers. There are numerous swimmers —boys and girls —avlio have shoAvn promise and all it Avants is .someone to take them in hand and deA-elop their stroke and style along correct lines.

It would give the necessary encouragement to the young swimmers and by doing so, will benefit the local club in their future carnivals. It is a sug gestion worthy of consideration!