SWIMMING ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20819, 11 March 1931, Page 17

SWIMMING ITEMS.

DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS.

SOME UNINTERESTING RACING. I AUCKLAND PREMIER PROVINCE. By retaining the Yaldhurst Shield, the interprovincial swimming trophy, Auckland is again the premier swimming centre in the Dominion. The representatives at the Dominion championships at Wa'nganui last week performed splendidly, winning ten of tjie 14 events decided. Canterbury wrested two titles from Auckland, the water polo championship, for which both centres were the joint holders, and the 500 yds. relay race. From a spectator's viewpoint the racing at the meeting was uninteresting, every event with hardly an exception being won by wide margins. In several instances yards separated the second and third competitors. There is no doubt that the separation of the intermediate and junior championships from the senior events has detracted much interest from the meeting, as in the past the best competition has invariably been seen among the lower divisions. But for this fact the meeting was most successful, there being large attendances at each carnival.

Easily the outstanding performer was G. Bridson. Ho gave a fine exhibition of his all-round prowess, winning the five available free stylo titles over distances from 100 yds. to one mile. He was not extended in any of his races, and yet in all of 'them his times were rather poor. There was no swimmer at the meeting who the impression of ever being able to roach the calibre of Bridson, who should occupy his leading position for some time. Two Promising Swimmers. A. Stokes, Canterbury, who was run-ner-up to Bridson in the four distance events, is a fine swimmer, but ho is not in the same class as tho Aucklander. The two most promising swimmers were 11. Gowan, Wanganui, and D. Rcid, South Canterbury. Gowan, who was third in the 440 yds. and milo championship events, has a very rugged style, but with coaching he would greatly reduce his times. Rcid is much more of a stylist. lie has plenty of stamina, as was evidenced by his showing in the Kellerman Cup raco, in which ho secured tho fastest time, but he needs to develop moro paco.

The swimming of tho veteran Aucklancler, J. Enwright, was a feature of tho meeting. He was second in tho 100 yds. and third in the 220vds. championships, as well as being third in the 50vds. scratch race. He swam wonderfully well in the sprint event, and tho fact that, his time, 60 2-ss, was 2 l-5s faster than that when ho won the title seven years ago, illustrates the remarkable manner in retains his form. Another interesting point in connection with Enwright's performance was that N. Dowsett, the ex-New Zealand champion and record bolder, had never bettered Enwright's time in Wanganui.

The Auckland lady swimmers fared as well as the men, for they won every swimming title. Miss M. Farquhnr had a double success, winning the 100 yds. free style and 100 yds. backstroke championships. This was the first occasion on which Miss Farquliar had ever won a Dominion title, and her success was well-deserved, as she had been filling minor placings ill championships for several years past. She was also second in the 220 yds. event. Miss Farquliar scored 13 points for tho shield, which was tho next highest individual number to Bridson's, who was responsible for a total of 25 points. Miss Stratton Tires. The runner-up to Miss Farquhar in the free style and backstroke events, Miss N. Stratton, provided keen opposition in the early stages of tho races, but she tired, and Miss Farquhar,was ablo to win by a fairly comfortable margin. Miss Stratton lias only to develop more stamina to make herself a strong contender for championship honours. The new lady middle-distance champion is Miss E. Champion. Miss Champion won the 220 yards and 440 yards titles, which were held by Miss K. Miller, who is now a professional teacher of swimming. Miss Champiqn won her races very easily, her times being creditable under the conditions. Although Miss Champion outclassed them, Miss D. Anderson, Wanganui, and Miss S. Bracefield, South Canterbury, are two young swimmers who are likely to improve considerably. The holder, L. Smith, Wanganui, performed impressively in winning the 220 yards breaststroke championship for tho third successive year. He covered the distance in 3m 7 4-ss, which, although 3 4-5s slower than his own New Zealand record, ranked with the best performances registered at the meeting. Of tho other competitors in the event, B. Ifowarth, Wanganui, appeared the most promising. Had lie swum a betterjudged raco lie would no doubt have beaten the Wellington representative, K. Spry, for second place. T. Lowe, the Aucklander, was swimming in second position for most of tho distance, but he tired and dropped back into fourth place. Another event which was easily won was the 150 yards men's breaststroke, which resulted in a victory for L. Moorhouse, Canterbury, who has now won the event four times. A. Raper, Auckland, swam excellently in filling second place, and he promises to develop into one of the finest exponents of the style the Dominion has ever produced. In tho short period in which he has adopted tho style, ho has shown great improvement. Diving Championship. Competition in the men's diving championship was very keen, the entry being tho largest for several years. H. Walker, who won the event in 1923 and 1924, regained the title. He beat W. Hassan, Auckland, who was second, by a very narrow margin of points. Hassan dived well, but in the final section he failed in performing the running neat-header from the high board, losing several points. Auckland did not have -fully representative teams in tho relay and water polo championships, and Canterbury forced them into second place. The relay race was highly exciting, Auckland being beaten by Ift. Bridson and Enwright, in particular, swam excellently in this event. In the water polo match Canterbury had practically the same team which has represented it for several years. However, the Auckland team made a good fight, being beaten by sixgoals to four. Miss G. Tidgeon again scored a decisive victory in the 220 yards ladies' breaststroke event. Hie led throughout, and returned the fair time of 3rn 44 4 ss, which is much slower than her New Zealand record.

The announcement that Miss Pidgeon has definitely decided to retire from competition will be received with general regret. Her line record of winning the championship on six occasions is likely to stand for several years.