SWIMMING.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 14, 17 January 1913, Page 5

SWIMMING.

(Notes by "Sidmtvok©.")

The period of warm weather has furnished excellent evidence of the popularity of swimming in this town, the municipal baths, to which Improvements in the way of accommodation have recently been made, being well patronised every day. The crowds have been so large oa occasions that th&re can be no doubt as to the baths being a source of revenue to the Council. Improved conditions have popularised the baths among the ladies^ and during the hours &ct apart tor tho fairer sex of swimmers there is generally a, large attendance. The sport is now being recognised- for its recreative excellence, and it seems that, with the progressive Blenheim Swimming Club in existence and under present conditions, the sport will flourish. It is ; remarkable tho interest taken siv.co the quiet beginning just about a year ago. The progrcssivsness of the Club is being manifested in still another direction, that is, by being represented at the Now Zealand championships at Wanganui next month. Pfankuch, regarding whose future "Tod" Solomons was very optimistic, will be competing in several of tho championships, while a team to be picked from Gridley, Leslie, Stono, Jose Jackson, and Cameron will compete in the handicap relay race. Last night the final for the 100 yards club handicap was decided^ and resulted in a win for E. Lucas, with A. Gridley second and Pfankuch third. The heats, swum on the previous evening, resulted as follows: — First heat, Pfankuch 1, Gridley 2; second heat, Lucas lj Fawcett 2. Victorian enthusiasts are making attempts to have the brilliant young Beaurepairß recognised as an amateur. /This swimmer is a paid instructor of swimming; he is, in point of fact, a professional pur© and simple. Still, the Victorians are trying hard to "strain a point," and the V.A.S.A. has actually declared Beaurepaire eligible as an amateur. It will be interesting to watch, the result of this manoeuvre.

W. Longworth, by winning .tho 100 yards and 800 yards championships of New South "Wales on Saturday, lias given convincing proof that he has regained tJie form that was responsible for his selection as a member of the Australian team at tho Olympic Games in Stockholm. Tlhere, it will he remembered, illness prevented him from doing hirntrelf justice, but tho times he registaml on. Saturday show that he must now be as well as cvev he was. The swimmer who can win over TOO yards in 57 4-5 sec, and on the same afternoon, achieve success over 880 yards in llmin. 58 1-5 sec., is a performer of rare merit.