SWIMMING ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20760, 31 December 1930, Page 15

SWIMMING ITEMS.

A SUCCESSFUL YEAR.

TEN NEW DOMINION RECORDS

AUCKLANDERS PERFORM WELL,

The past year has been one of Uio most active and most successful in the history of swimming in tho Dominion. Swimmers of all ages contributed to tho activities of a great year ana of tho 10 new records established eight were for seniors, one for intermediates and one for juniors. Six records were secured by A ticklanders. G. Bridson shared honours equally with Miss G. Pidgeon for the distinction of heading tho entire list of record-breaking performances, each establishing three new marks. -As all of Miss Pidgeon's records aro the first to be recognised for tlieir respective distances tho greatest improvement was therefore mado on men's middle-distance records, and while none of (hem is notable from an international viewpoint there is consolation in the fact that the standard is being steadily raised. A marked decline in free style swimming among ladies has boen revealed and this was one of the few sections in which no real progress was made.

Other outstanding incidents of the year have been the visit of tho Australian champions, Noel Ryan and Owen Griffiths, and tlie sending of two swimmers and a diver lo the British Empire Games in Canada.

Bridson's Championships. Bridson commenced his sequence oT record-breaking performances at tlie Auckland championship meeting in January, when ho reduced tho 220 yds. free-style record of 2in 295, held jointly by D. P. Lindsay and himself, to 2in 26 l-ss. Ho brought down the figures for 500 yds. to 5m 59 4-5s and also lowered L. L. Kronfeld's 150 yds. record of lm 39 3-5s to lm 33 l-ss. Bridson won tho fivo availavle free-stylo titles, from 100 yds. to one mile, at tho Dominion championships.

As ono of New Zealand's representatives at tho Empire Games Bridson performed very creditably, being second to Ryan, Australian champion, in tho 200 metres and 1500 metres events, thus proving that the standard of free-style swimming in New Zealand compares favourably with the best in tho British Empire. Miss Gladys Pidgeon has experienced one ol the most successful years since she commenced competitive swimming in 1925. Returning to the sport after a year's absence she struck her best form and found.no difficulty whatever in winning the Auckland and national 220vds. breastroke championships for the fifth time. Miss Pidgeon took advantage of creating records for three distances, for which there were no previous standards. Her times, lm 42s for 100 metres, 5m 40 4-5s for 300 metres, and 7m 56 l-5s for 400 metres, were high-class performances and should remain intact for somo years.

At tho Empire Games Miss Pidgeon was pitted against very strong opposition and she performed well to finish sixth in the 200 metres event.

Calder at Empire Games. R. Calder was also a representative at the Empire Games and to him fell tho distinction of being the first diver to represent tho Dominion in international contests. Unfortunately Calder injured his back while training and was unable to do himself justice in the competition, in which he was placed fourth. L. Moorhouse, Canterbury and Dominion champion, accomplished the finest backstroke performances, dropping his own 150 yds. figures to lm 49 l-5s and 200 metres timo to 2m 51 l-ss.

Two Otago swimmers were others who etablished records, Miss M. Mathicson, intermediate champion, who won the 75yds. breastroke in 1m 4 2-ss, and R. Geddes, junior champion, who covered that distance at tho same style in 59 3-ss. One of tho outstanding performers was Miss Kathleen Miller (Wellington), who, against weak opposition, won all three of the ladies' free-style titles at the_ Dominion championships.- She had previously won tho 220 yds. and 440 yds. championships for four successive years. Miss Miller's retirement from competition this month means a severe loss to tho sport. A wealth of young talent has come to light during the year and there is no fear that tho general standard will decline in the future. Swimmers who promise to distinguish themselves with marked success during tho next few years are R. Thomas, N. Crump, Misses D. Dowrnan. E. Rainey (Auckland). J. Hattersley, E. McConvillo, J. McDonald, Miss 11. Low (Canterbury), R. Geddes, S. Jarvis and Miss M. Mathicson (Olago). Coaching Tour.

Tho annual coaching (our, controlled by the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, was undertaken by Misses M. Earquhr.r and P. Robertson. Tho ladies visited several towns 111 the South. Island and highly-successful results attended their effort's in spreading tho knowledge of swimming among school children. Swimmers leaving 0110 club for another am warned that they render themselves liablo to suspension should they fail to obtain a clearance from 1110 Auckland Centre and their old club before competing at a carnival as a member of their new club. While overlooking the case of a swimmer who failed to exercise this caution at the Waitemata Club's carnival, tho centro intends to take drastic action should a similar case arise.

Tho failure of the Hclensville Club to affiliate again with (lie Auckland Centre has caused a good deal of regret in swimming circles. Since its inception tho club has been particularly active and has done more in spreading the knowledge of swimming among children than most of the city clubs. A fortnight ago, for instance tho club, following its annual custom, engaged Mr. D. 13. Anderson, to conduct its " iofirn-to-swim " week, with excellent results. Until tho club fulfils its obligation it will bo unable to hold any inter club galas, as any swimmers participating in these will bo immediately disqualified by tho centre.

Intermediate Titles. An improvement in the standard of swimming among intermediate girls in Auckland is indicated this year, judging by the talent available. They are of an even class, iiono having outstanding claims for tho Auckland titles. However, the winner is confidently anticipated to provo more than a match for tho Otago champion, Miss M, Mathieson, who is the present Dominion title-holder, at tho New Zealand championshfps.

A suggestion that an intermediate boys' backstroke event should bo included on the New Zealand championship programme was before tho New Zealand Council at its annual mooting and Mt was resolved that tho matter should ,bo again considered when the finances are in a better position. There is no doubt that a backstroke race would be an attractive addition lo the present -intermediate programme, and, if additions aro being considered to that section of the championships, the possibility might also bo considered of including an intermediate girls' diving championship.