SWIMMING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18563, 22 November 1923, Page 12

SWIMMING.

C. HERO'S GREAT SWIM.

Probably the greatest, performance ± by a New Zealander. in the history of natation, was that of C. Herd, the Chnstchnroh boy breaststroke swimmer, at the : opening gala of the season held in Chriutchuroh on November 9. Herd, who is only 18 i years, of age. competed in a handicap against free-style swimmers with a, atari of 28s. He won his beat in 5'3-5s and the final in 8m 6s, actual time. - : l-• ■•■ ~, .v-n-v-* Both these performances axe better than C. Atkinson's Dominion record of 3m -7s. A», Herd is bound to' progress > with constant and careful training one is justified in expecting him to beat <8m for the furlong swim in the bear future. Some idea of Herd's phenomenal speed can bo gained by comparing it with the exploits of oversea chamLiona-, ':■■■,'.';.-'? • , . - :> - SousaarT won,the, Australian breastetroke championship in 8m Wis in February Still more meritorious is the swim when it' is knowns that last month. W. Kirschbaum, of t Honolulu, competing in the, Hawaiian championships,' set 'a new 5 American breaststroke record for 200 metres (218.72 yds.) in 8m 7, l-55.... and defeated - Sam Kahanataoku, brother of Duke.,_ '■>.■■ ■ The brillianoe of the Christohurch boy's feat; 1 " eclipsing, as it ■' does the best efforts of 'oversea experts, should earn for him a trip vto i the Olympic Games in 1924. for never before have we had such prospects of annexing a world title. J n Waitemata Club's Gala. . > The Waitemata' Club's- gala in the Tepid Baths on Tuesday evening was a great success and the very large attendance of the public was a sufficient indication of future prospects. With no unnecessary wait between events enthusiasm was sustained by the exciting finishes witnessed. The handicapping was, good, . especially when it is remembered that competitors' true form is not known so early in the Mason.-:;-..--' -■• ■■".■.':«. ■■■■;.:; -':.-h Mr. A. J. Pernandea, in the course of an address; emphasised the need for every publio school having its ' own swimming pool, and asked those present to '• support, by their attendance ■at races to be held next Saturday afternoon .in . Shelly Beach Baths, an effort to ' improve ' the' Curran.- Street school grounds. ~ : In presenting medals to Misses V. Weirond, and D. Magee and Mr. J. Enwright. Mr. Fernandez said that much to his own and the public disappointment it was rumoured : that Miss Walrond .was retiring this season, but .he :, sincerely hoped f- this wan only a rumour. .- ?v..;3 .-'..-•■*- ~"■:■ •,;.■-■.,;.; ~-*"■. With ; Miss Walrond's mooted retirement coming so soon after that of Miss P. Hoeft, New Zealand would rloee two clever lady swimmers who have done .a, great deal toward establishing the Dominion's high position in. the ladies' natatorial world. A reappearance by these ; ladies would be very pleasing, as they are' both-comparatively young, and further successes would be sure to come their way. : - In the first heat " of' the open handicap, 66 2-3 yds.. C. Farouhar showed great dash by winning, in the remarkably good time of 36 4-Sa. He was set a hopeless - task iin the final, the other entrants having hall the length of the bath start when he plunged, but he was close' up at the final. The 220 yds handicap was a great race. There were, 11 ; starters, and Stockley beat Wei son by a touch, with' Bradley 'a ton oh behind, and Stevens and Cnnnold close up.. Bradley- beat Cunnold from the same mark and both swam well to gain third place. ," The ladies' handicap. 66 S-3yds.. did not attract the usual good entries. Added- interest centred in the appearance of' Miss G. v Shand. who in 'her -heat was too heavily, handicapned to : beat -..-Minnas ..&$; Grant. 9s, and B Stockley. , 2a. v Miss P. Page was ' unplaced • in A her ' heat >' for $ the same reason. The final saw Miss E. Grant win from Miss L. Jones, with Misses Stockier and Bell equal for third place. , Miss Shand:, was ■> fourth.'■..':; ••'■; '. ..■'■■•.■' ■■.;'* ' ; ;. -A very nonular event f was the du»l relay ;.-•;; i ladies and gentlemen each swam a length of the bath. It. is some years since a similar event was . included on the programme, and . undoubtedly it was of interest to the spectators. • : :;; -" ;; Executing in Farauhar*a nerformanoe, no good times were recorded.; but this is only to :be expeeted since very ' few have. settled down to solid training yet. .-.;■'

Instruction of Children. *' : The educational classes for the Ponsonby school children begin next week, During this week Mr. Anderson, official instructor, is visiting each school giving theoretical lectures before the children take to . tile water. .-■--.; '.--'■- . v ,.v^^ ; - . Several new ~records.were established at the Hawaiian championship meeting in Honolulu - last month. ?£■ It . will be - remembered that Misses Shand and Hoeft competed at the same gathering last year. -~ -•;.: Gertrude Ederle again proved - invincible by setting new world marks for 100 1 metres, lm 12 1-Ss: 400 metres, 5m 6«l-5a: and 200 metres, 2m 46 2-ss. Over all three distances the American wonder was hard pressed by Mariechen Wehselau. of Hawaii, while Lily Bowmcr was a close third. The former record of lm 12 4-Ss for the 100 metre event was held .by Ethelda Bleibtrey. ' Warren ± Eealoha compassed 100 ; ' metres, back-stroke, in lm 13 S-6s, breaking 'his own world's record, made at the Olympic Games, by . 1 2-Ss, and Sam Eahanamoku swam the same distance, free-style, in lm 0 2-ss, winning from the Eealoha brothers.; . .^ ,' ' * Charlton Improves. On November 10, Alan* ("Boy") Charlton pleased his ' supporters ■ and , showed that he is regaining championship form by swimming y 150 yds. in lm 89 4~5s at Manly. This is only -6 4-5? 'slower than -the late ! Cecil Healy's New South Wales refcord. h -' : ; P.-: Doyle in a junior 100 yds. handicap won in good time. 69 8-6 a. and another youngster. A. Coppleson. left the same distance behind in 69a. This was the latter'? first swim of the season.'■'-■»"'--^-V Compared with our own ■ senior record of (60s, thee© times do not flatter the calibre of our swimmetrs. ; ; ; i CHELTENHAM CLUB.'' . '-■-'."."' Swimming enthusiasts of Cheltenham met last evening at the ■ Cheltenham Kiosk with the object t>t reforming the > Cheltenham Bwimming Club.' It was decided to amalgamate with the Dovonport Swimming Club, formed on Tuesday. A. combined general meeting is called for Tuesday week.