SWIMMING

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5558, 8 April 1905, Page 15

SWIMMING

(By '‘Plunger,’') Describing the raoo for the 100yds championship of Ihe Eastern Suburbs Club (Sydney), “Trudge,” in the “Sportsman,” says:—Mr Griffith got the quartet away to a beautiful start, and for about twenty yards it was neck and neck, then Wickham opened out a slight load, followed by Healy. At fifty yards the E-übiana boy turned about half a yard ahead of Healy, his time being 37 3-6 sec. For about twenty yards up the return journey Wickham increased, his lead, then Healy began to gain. Inch by inch he brought AUok back, and at 90yds drew level. Wickham, as he has often done before, shot his bolt, and Healy beat him by about a yard in GOsoc deao. The 58sec therefore remains, and in my opinion Healy will never equal or beat it over a course with a turn. Baker and Tartakover put up a great race for third place, and it was not until about 7oyds had been covered that Baker shook “Tart” off. and gained third place two and a-half yards behind Wickham. The same writer, speaking of Koran’s

recent successful attack on his own record for 880yds, says;—One could hear cars lifting as the megaphone announced tho coming of tiio long-distance champions. The starter; and handicaps wore —B. B. Koran (Sobraon) scr., R. R. Craig (Alert’s Dock) 7*5 sec, It. Jleaiy (East Sydney) 80aec. W. Dickenson (Rose Bay) 95scc, 11. Garland (East Sydney;) 95ec, and W. Watkiuson (Sobraon) I2osec. Koran was sent away by pistol shot, and when ho left the board Craig had finished two laps, and Watkiuson was at tin, end of his third. Tho champion brought tho markers back with every stroke, and at 10 laps had overhauled Craig, who immediately retired. At fourteen laps Keren was swimming second, but was still more than a lap behind the Rose Bay boy, Dickenson, who was “crawling” in groat style. Lcran gained but at the turn of -50yds lie was fully fifteen yards behind. Both spurted to the finish. Dickenson touching about ton yards ahead in the time of 12min 37 4-osec, a rattling good performance for a new man, AVhen the champion touched tho rope the clocks showed llmin 11 3-.sseo, or 18 l-sseo bettor than tho world’s record, which ho put up on tho occasion of that memorable race with Dick Caviil last year. It was a marvellous swim, and “Barney’’ well deserved the ovation with which .he was received 'by the spectators. The times for the various hundreds wore —looyds, train G 3-ssec; 200yds, 2min 23500; 300yds, 3rain 41 2-Osec; 400yds, 4min 59 l-sses; 500yds, Gmin 18sec_; 000yds, 7min 37 l-sseo; 700yds, Smin 04 1-oscc 800yds, lOmiu 11 3-ssec; full distance, half-mile, llmin 11 3-ssec.

“Trudge” further remarks re Dickenson’s “crawl” : The marvellous “crawl” of Dickenson must not bo overlooked, for by covering the distance by moans of a speed stroke ho has proved conclusive!; that the crawl may be used as a means of propulsion over the long distances. Peter Murphy some ten yearn back astonished the swimming world by trudging for half a mile, and that swim caused tho side stroke to become obsolete. This boy Dickenson, by his half-mile swim on Saturday last, has probably sounded tie death knell of the trndgeon stroke, for what one man can do another can also, and the time is not far distant wl(on tho trndgeon stroke wil follow tho side stroke and for all distances will be shouldered one side by the South Sea Island stroke. If tho crawl becomes tho order, what price records? Tho “trudge” put into oblivion the figures put up by means of the side stroke, and the question now is: Will Kcran’s phenomenal records made by means of tho trndgeon stroke be beaten by a new champion, whose method of propulsion over a long distance is the crawl stroke? Who will be the next swimmer to crawl oyer a long distance? Dickenson only learnt the stroke last season. Last Saturday was his first essay in big events, having previously only taken pa;t in a couple of handicaps at the Rose Bay Club. He started a fortnight ago to train seriously, and under tho coaching of J. Brown, he made such progress that he was sent for the East Sydney Club’s half-mile handicap. Dickenson swam in an ordinary stockingette costume, which made his performance all the more meritorious. If he still continues to improve tin, distance races next season should provide something out of the common for the contests during the present year have been practically swims over for the phenomenal Keran.

The following table should be of interest, as it gives the world’s records over all distances from fifty yards to one mile. It shows also that every record is now held by an Australian. For tho sake of comparison, and to illustrate Keren’s wonderful performances, the record lists are printed. It will be noticed that Keren holds every world’s record from 200yds to 1 mile, with the exception of the 220yds. which he has equalled. That he is the most wonderful swimmer the world has ever seen is undeniable in tho face of his performances, which no man before him, or since, has ever approached, much less equalled:—

The season in Wellington was brought to a close with a very successful,smoke concert, which was held last Saturday evening Air W. T. Churchward, in replying to the toast of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, said that in Mr Francis the association had an excellent secretary and treasurer. Mr D. Noven (Swifts) had a lot to say in replying to the toast of the prize-winners. It was hard that he should have bad to say what he did, but in view of the fiyst that if he had not said it no one els© would have, no one will wish that he had not said what ho did. He alleged that it was the practice of Wellington handicappers to p'nsh forward the men in front of a winner instead of pulling the winner back. This, as Mr Neven said, is hard on the scratch men, and certainly good swimming will not prosper if such illogical methods of handicapping are followed. The speaker said he would like to see an inter-club handicapper appointed to handicaps tho Wellington clubs. Class swimming, he said, was also needed, and he instanced a case whore a large increase of membership had followed on its introduction. Mr Churchward agreed that an inter-club handicapper was necessary, and thought swimmer? should he classified, those able to cover 50yds in less than 38sec to be in the first class. Ho defended the city handicappers, and mentioned that some time ago he suggested the appointment of a second handicapper, but his agitation bore no fruit. He did not deny that the handicappers of the’city chibs frequently “fell in” over inter-club races. All the handicappers, however, had, in his opinion, done their duty. Mr L W. Ludwig said he would like to see more of the general public at carnivals and club-raoes. He promised that something would be done next season about the annual Government grant for the encouragement of swimming. With the exception of the schoolboy championships, it was not generallyknown how the money was spent.

PREVIOUS RECORDS. Distance. Holder. Time. yds. m. s. 50 A. Wickham 0 24 3-5 100 R. Cavill 0 58 ‘ 200 J. Tyers 2 20 220 F. C. V. Land 2 28 3-5 300 R. Cavill 3 34 3-5 440 R. Cavill 6 26 1-5 500 J. Nnttall 6 24 1-5 880 B. B. Koran 11 29 4-5 Imile B. B. Keran 24 36 1-5 PRESENT RECORDS. Dis. Holder. Time. Date. ydfl. m. b. 50 —Unaltered. 100 C. Healy 0 58 Dec. 10, '04 200 B. B. Koran 2 13 Feb. 21, ’05 230 B. B. Keran 2 2834J Moh. 11, '05 300 B.'B. Keran 3 314-5 Feb. 26. ’05 410 B. B. Keran . 5 25 3-5 Feb. 20,'05 500 B. B. Keran ' 6 10 3-5 Feb. 18.'05 880 B, B. Keran 11 113-5 - Mch. 18, ’05 1000 B. B. Keran 12 521-5 Feb. 11. ’05 1 mile B. B. Koran 23 164-5 Mch., 4. '05