SWIMMING ITEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23000, 30 March 1938, Page 20

SWIMMING ITEMS

PROVINCIAL TITLES TWO RECORDS EXPECTED CRUMP'S PROSPECTS IN SPRINT In at least two instances, it is probable that New Zealand records will lie broken when the senior swimming championships'of Auckland are decided in the Tepid Baths next Monday night. The swimmers of whom this achievement is anticipated are Miss M. Leydon, who should set new figures for 220 yds. or -I 40yds. free-style, and X. Crump, who has grand prospects of succeeding in his efforts to beat It. B. Krnnkhnm's time for 100 yds. freest vie.

Good performances by those and other contesants are keenly desirable, in case interest is restrained because of nil apparent lack of competition. Indications are that fields will not be as large as expected for Auckland championship events. Prominent contestants for the titles at the various styles will, no doubt, be P. E. Mathieson, A. Paacoe, F. S. Taylor, W. J. Jarvis, and Misses E. Grey and V. Coulthurst. Notable absentees are P. Hanan, the national sprint champion, and his clubmate, It. B. Frank ham. Hanan is recovering from an attack of appendicitis, which necessitated an operation the day after his return l'rom the British Empire Games, and Frankham ceased training several weeks ago, so as to have a rest until next season.

The time now the object of Crump's attention is 54 3-ss, which Frankham established as a record for 100 yds. in 1935. With Hanan absent, Crump is not likely to be defeated by any opponent, but may miss the spur of strong opposition. Crump's sprinting in Auckland this season augurs well for his success. His very disappointing display at the British Empire Games does not prejudice his prospects, as his failure there was due chiefly to lack of judgment.

It has not yet been decided whether Miss Loydon's race will be over 220 yds. or 440 yds. Her record for the latter distance is 5m 36 3-ss, but she lias swum splendidly during her North Island tour, and should not fail to do better, notwithstanding the difficulty of the task. Her ability to lower the record for 220vds, is greater. Swimming in fresh water at Gisborne last week, she was timed at 2m 40 2-ss. This was her fastest swim, and in the salt water of the Tepid Baths she should take less than 2m 40s, which is the record, held by Miss I. Purdie, of Dunedin.

PROMISING JUVENILES PRIMARY SCHOOLS' CHAMPIONS The promising ability of A tickland's juvenile swimmers was again demonstrated at the primary schools' championship carnivals last week. Several competitors recorded times that, in view of their ages, were very creditable, and not a few employed styles that were effective and capable of development by competent coaching. The clubs of Auckland will be losing fine swimmers if they do not enrol these boys and girls as members, and, in addition, do not assist them with instruction.

All the children representing Maungawhau school, which won the championship shield, are members of the Mount Eden Club. This club is exceedingly fortunate in possessing in one school alone such a largo group of young swimmers, who will constitute its chief strength in the near future. Credit for Maungawhau's success belongs to one of the club's instructors, Mr. C. E. Bernard, as the children wera his pupils.

Some youngsters who, it is hoped, will remain actively interested in the sport are M. Barton, of St. Heliers, W. Crump, of Devouport, a younger brother of the champion, L. Meeks, of Meadowbank, and Misses Z. Leitch, of Gladstone, and D. Arnold, of Otahuhu. Year after year these primary schools' carnivals are proving themselves the nursery of competitive swimming in Auckland.