SWIMMING ITEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23284, 1 March 1939, Page 18

SWIMMING ITEMS

CENTEE CARNIVAL MAORI TEAM COMPETES LAX METHODS OF CONTROL Keener interest than usually displayed in non-championship carnivals rewarded the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association when it held a carnival last week on the occasion of the visit of the Maori swimmers from the Ohinernntu and Whakarewarewa Clubs, Rotorua. However, although good swimming and competition were witnessed, the carnival was not altogether beneficial to the sport. A year or two ago the centre made n rule that the swimming events at carnivals wore ru>t to continue later than 10 p.m.. and that, when water polo was played, carnivals were to be concluded by 10.30 p.m. The North Shore Club recently broke this rule bv conducting a carnival for which the programme was so lengthy that it was not completed until 11 p.m. At the carnival last week the centre itself ignored the rule, the events not all being decided until shortly aft-er 11 p.m." Consequently, the carnival dragged on uninterestingly, the main reason being the irksome delays between events. These delays were the result of nothing else than faulty control. Weak organisation was evident in the 220 yards race, in which the contestants swam 27 yards too far.

The matching of the Auckland A teanj in the relay contest with the teams from the Ohinemutu, Whakarewarewa and Wliangarei Clubs seemed unfair to- the visitors. The race was to have been one between the Auckland and Bay of Plenty Centres, but owing to a misunderstanding the Rotorua teams were entered separately. It was regrettable, however, that the race was not made an inter-club event to meet these changed circumstances. Auckland A's victory was a foregone conclusion.

A creditable swim was put up in the 220 yards handicap by R. Simon, of Ohinemutu, against A. Pascoe, the Auckland distance champion. For the whole distance they had a close tussle, Pascoe finally beating his Maori rival by a touch for third place. It will be recalled that Simon defeated P. Hanan in a quarter-mile invitation scratch race at Auckland two years ago, and that he was runner-up for the national title in 1935.

© PROMOTION OP CARNIVALS COMBINED EFFORT NEEDED Limited competition prior to championship meetings is a drawback to Auckland swimmers. Among the representatives at the national meeting in Invercargill recently there was a feeling they would have done better had they had more racing beforehand. That actual racing is the finest training is well known, yet the first carnival was not held in Auckland until December and prior to the decision of the Auckland championships there were only three carnivals. The cost of carnivals —they almost invariably result in a financial loss—is the greatest obstacle. However, A. Pnseoe said that he would willingly take part in races for which there were no trophies simply for the competitive practice. Other swimmers, no doubt, are equally as keen to have this training, without being concerned about trophies. It is desirable that competitions should be arranged for these enthusiasts, commencing each season no later than the beginning of November It is not necessary to look far for swimmers who do not receive trophies. The members of the Kaikohe Club have, practically since its inception competed in their club's events without the inducement of prizes. The money saved lias been used to improve the club's pool. It is hoped that the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association will act quickly to provide frequent competitions of this kind for swimmers i» training.

So far as ordinary club carnivals are concerned, the opinion has been ox pressed repeatedly that the present system by which clubs conduct carnivals is a failure, proof being consistently heavy financial losses and the reluctance of clubs to hold carnivals. Another system should be given a trial. Carnivals will have much better prospects of being successful competitively and financially, if the Auckland Centre and its affiliated clubs all combine to promote carnivals, sharing losses and profits equally. It is more in the interests of the sporj; that any loss should be spread over several clubs. Co-operation will enable special attractions to be arranged, such, for instance, as visits by champions from other places. To recover public interest, relief from the monotony of ordinary club carnivals is essential. Any action by clubs in joining forces will give swimmers the benefit of greater practice.