SWIMMING

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11709, 22 December 1923, Page 6 (Supplement)

SWIMMING

THE QUESTION OF CONTROI

ARE THERE TWO BODIES ?

CLUB AND GENERAL JOTTINGS

SEASON’S FIXTURES

DECEMBER. 2Cth.—Petone Carnival. JANUARY. Ist.—Lyall Bay and Maranui Beach Carnival. 3th.—Silver Reel Challenge, Lyall Bay. 12th.—Olympia Carnival, To Aro Baths 13th.—Paekakariki Gala Day. 13th.—Harbour Race (two miles). 20th.—Lyall Bay Carnival. 22nd.—Worser Bay Carnival. 26th, 27th., and Feb. Ist.—New Zealand Championships, at Wanganui. FEBRUARY. 2nd (about).—Wellington Club Carnival. 3rd.—Sanderson Cup Contest, Paekakariki. 16th (about).—Olympia Club Carnival. 23rd (about).—Carterton, and Greytown Carnival. 27th.—Schools Challenge Shield, Te Are Baths. MARCHE Ist and 2nd.—Otaki Shield. Bth (about)—Wellington Club Carnival. 16th.—Island Bay Novice Cup. Evans Bay and Institute Ladies’ Club’s Carnival dates to 'be arranged; also that for Dewer Shield for secondary schools competition. The movement in the North Island towards the formation of a separate association has lost none of its interest, and its supporters in Auckland are still actively working towards their end. Auckland’s recent deoiskm to sever official ties with the New Zealand body situated at Christchurch has not stopped there, and the northern centre is now endeavouring to form a North Island association—a move which baa been anticipated for some time. It is a moot point as to whether or not the North Island need break away from the Canterbury control at all, for despite the fact, that tho control of swimming has now been assumed by a central body at Christchurch we are not so sure that there is not a separate body at Auckland duly registered at the Stamps Depart, ment. This state of affairs places a new light on a particularly contentious question, and ar>se in this manner. When the N.Z A.S.A desired to sot up a separate and all powerful body at Christchurch, the control was removed from Auckland, who then had the "big say” in matters natatorial. The body at Christchurch was duly registered, but, although it assumed! control, Auckland did not actually cancel its registration. If such be the case, there is now existent In the North Island a separate Swimming Association, and there will he no need for the North Island—if it is really bent on doing so—breaking away. The question is one which needs a great deal of consideration, but if it can be ascertained that there is a perfectly legally registered northern Swimming Association matters will ho considerably straightened cut. N.Z. CHAMPIONSHIPS. The various oeuvres will apparently bo well represented at Wanganui for the New Zealand championships in January. Canterbury has already booked no fewer than 50 beds, whereas it is hoped to send 30 representatives from Wellington. With Auckland’s quota and the crowd at Wanganui for the races in the vicinity before and during the championships, accommodation will be taxed to the uttermost. OUR LADY SWIMMERS. Miss Gwitha Shand, who has for some time been confining her training to work Over long c'dstances, has decided to take np long distance swimming this season. With Miss P. Pago she has been putting in some hard work in Auckland, and was beaten over a 75 yards course at tho Shelly Beach baths by Miss EL Shockley recently. Despite the fact that Miss Hoeft has announced her retirement from swimming in the Dominion, it is expected that she will he competing in Sydney before long. The New Zealand girl is expected in Australia early in tho New Year, nvhen she is billod to meet' Miss Mina Wylie on February 16th. The secretary of the International Federation of Amateur Swimming expressed the opinion to the New Zealand Coureil, in a letter to that body at its at nual meeting last week, that if our lady swimmers could reproduce their present form in Paris they would certainly play a great part in tlie ladies’ races at the next Olympiad. LOCAL JOTTINGS. The activities of the Post Office Club were commenced during last week, when A short programme of races was disposed of. Jt ig to be hoped that more will bo 'heard of this club during thi« season than in past years There is no reason why the club should not enter arduously into competitions, and take upon itself the responsibilities expected of an affiliated club. Mt H. D. Edwards struck the right tone in declaring that the club should endeavour to conduct more races, which undoubtedlv do a sweat deal The Wellington end Olympia Clubs, iu conducting races almost weekly. have found that interest increases with each race.

Lyall Bay hare a happy "knack” of conducting a successful afternoon*® amusement, and Saturday week, despite the fact that lowering clouds threatened to deluge the assembly, proved that the club’s initiative had by no means diminished. The land drill was not well done, but a redeeming feature was the rvn out, which was carried out very well. The "dark town run out” was marred by the crowd breaking over the barriers, and thus the enjoyment of the many Was once more* sacrificed to the satisfaction of a few, which its appears will never. be understood by certain sections of an assemblage. WELLIXUTON-OLYMriA CARNIVAL. The IVellington-Olympia Clubs combined carnival on Saturday * last was a great success from a swimmers point of view, although one marked the absence of lady competitors. From a financial point of view however the clubs will suffer fairly heavy losses, which is to be regretted, and which should make the swimming centre think seriously as to whether it should not do more for the promotion of interest in clubs in our suburbs. If more clubs could be formed it would be found that not so« many swimmers would compete in tlie one race, and that interest would increase in the other events. Thus the public would be provided for to a far greater extent than is the case with an extended programme of similar events. At least six more events could be put through If there were but sufficient swimmers to fill the entries. The form of the competitors in the lOOyards championship was well up to standard, as is shown by the time of C. Claridge, who covered the distance in 60 4-ssec, but 4-sseo below the Dominion record jointly held by L. Kronfeldt, of Auckland, and Paterson, of Wellington. This time proves that "Stumpy” Oaridge is fast developing into a New Zealand champion, and if he assiduously adhere? to training will bo in a fair way to make a strong bid the title for Wellington at Wangenni. The first-class 50yds handicap was a present to L. Salek on the handicap. Eversleigh, who won the second-class handicap, is to be congratulated, as this is practically his ©rst appearance in competitive ranks. The teams race created considerable interest* and was remarkable for the excellence of the handicapping, there being only a foot- or two between the placed team* at the finish. This race showed that in McHardy we have a factor to be reckoned with in the near future, and if the clock bad been on him it must have recorded swimming extraordinary. In the divine, W. Hicks repeated 8 performance whose excellence loses nothing as the seasons pass. Hicks will nc tVrahb he Wellington's choice at the championships, and he is well worthy of the position. AT WORSER BAY. During the week-end, at Worser Bay* there were two challenge races for places on the championship ladder. Jack Blakeney defeated Vic. Allan for fifth place, and Lee. Williams by defeating "Bill” Lavelle retained his place as number one. I understand there are several challenges in for week-end* The next .series of club race&.varill be swum on Saturday, January stfi v - when the following races will be disposed of: 50yds Ladies’ Handicap, 25yde. Polo Cup (for j unior girlsl, 75yds Atkins Cup (junior boy?)* first distance Brodie Cup 50yds. second distance Rowntree Cup, and first method rescue in life-laving. At Te Aro baths Evans Bay defeated Worser Bay at polo by five goals to nil. Worser Bay have no reason to be discouraged, as it was their-first attempt at polo, and in the team there is some very promising material. The committee have all arrangements for the annual carnival on Anniversary Day (January 22nd) well in hand, the programme of events and officials having been approved bv the Wellington Swimming Centre. The programme will be sent out to the various, club secretaries during the next few days, and entries will close on Wednesday. January 16th. Worser Bay recently dispqsed of a programme of club races. Les. Williams won the 100yds, Mis? Morgan the 50ydt ladies* race, and the Srst'distance of the Atkins Cup for junior bovs was won by Master Warring. L. Grimstone won the first distance of the Rowntree Cup. All the finishes were close, and it is easily seen that several challengers are in for ladder positions. Bob Leslie and XV. Henry were out , swimming for the club again... A novelty was seen in the first distance of the Rowntree Cup (50yds! which the competitors swam half breast stroke and half back stroke. During the week-end menibsrs went a stage further with the starting platforms. by making an addition to accommodate a diving board. This should prove an extra attraction to "members later on. Among members working I noticed Joe Heath, W. Lavelje, W. Gerrie, and J. Butterworth. Several other prominent members promised to help hut did not turn up. They perhaps had the usual tired feeling. SURFING WITH BOATS. "Since the arrival of "Maranui the First,” the opportunitv of -making full os© of any surf which happens to be running has not been lost by the members of the club. Last Sunday advantage was taken of the good 6urf to take the out. but tho crew have to be thankful that the planks of tho boat aro able to withstand tli3 force of the breakers to a greater extent than the oars, one of which was carried shattered back to the beach. As stated before in this column, there is a certain amount of dnnrrer attached to this sport, but the fact that ex<itement is to be obtained with a good "run in" should not overrule th» former fact. When the lifeboats were first used on the Lyall Bay beach overturning? were frequent, and even yet the state of efficiency of the crews does not warrant hazardous venturing in a surf such as Lyall Bay, which is not the same for two consecutive breaker?: at a time. Them is room for more improvement in the handling of tho boats, which, of course, will come with time, hut at present one is forced to the realisation that precautions should be taken by the club to sec that each man is equipped against emergencies. For instance, eupTwe in such an incident as that, on Snndav last, one of the crew had been knocked unconscious with an nnr and v**s !e f t in the water whilst the others flo’m'Vi-ed hack to shore or to the Should the clubs not make strict rules, that, no matter whether there he no breaker?, or whether there be an exceptional surf. and everv merer wh« r-ne* nut ; u a life-boat should wear n life-belt? There are other masons for this. Tf, when the need «ri«e* to effect a rescue on a "dangerous** dav at the bnv. the rowers are not used to weering belts, and if thev imnede thefr motions with t Krt inevitable tremble will ho the result. The rowers must nr. nuaint themselves with the feel of the belts nnd also go*- u«*d t/> wearing them whilst rowine*. f©~ it is hnrdlv likely that on an extreraelv rnTi«*h day the crew* would venture out without life-helfs. These oeenriops will perhaps seldom arise, hut if is the infmoency that mo«+ guarded nmriust. The motto. "TV Premrrih” could well ndont«d by the life-boat men on Lvall "Bay bench.