SWIMMING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22432, 29 November 1934, Page 5

SWIMMING

By Neptons:. Club hours: Mondays, St. Clair and St. Kilda Life-savjng Clubs;' Tuesdays and Thursdays, Kiwi Amateur Swimming Club; Wednesdays and Fridays, Dunedin Amateur Swimming Club; Saturdays. Otago Centre water polo practice. Club hours from 8.45 to 9.45 p.m., at the Municipal Baths. Zeuith Amateur- Swimming Club, at Y.M.C.A. Baths: Every night except Friday, 7 to 8.3.0; Kaikorai Amateur Swimming Club, Municipal .Baths, Saturday. ■ ' COMING EVENTS November 30.—Australians' demoustra- . tion at Milton. December 1. —Australians at Alexandra, December 5: —Australian's' appearance at Dunedin. , December B.—Australians at Oamaru. December 12.—Otago Intermediate and Junior Championships, Municipal Baths; Australians at Christchurch. December 14.—Australians at Westport. January 10.—Kiwi Club annual carnival. Municipal Baths. January 31— Otago Senior Championships. Municipal Baths. February. 4.—Batt Cup Harbour Race at t Macandrew Bay. . February. s.—Zenith Club annual :.....i carnival. THE AUSTRALIANS' VISIT „ Those who saw the Australians, Clark , and Tickle, in action last evening, are generally agreed that the visitors are ''the goods.' Certain it is that two more likeable personalities have never visited : Dunedin in connection with any branch of sport, and wherever, they have appeared they have won golden opinions for thenqualities as sportsmen both in and out of ; the water. . From the form displayed last night by both men, it is evident that they should just about be at their best at the second carnival next Wednesday night, and with the attractive programme that has been arranged by the Otago Centre, enthusiasts should witness a great nights swimming. Another 100 Yards Invitation Scratch Race has been set down for decision, and this, tff course, will result in a great tussle between W. J. Jarvis and the Australian champion. Clark will also give. a taste of his quality as a backstroke swimmer, and as he is a fine .performer on this style he should push P. E. Matheson, J. O'Driscoll, and W. J. Jarvis along in the short-limit backstroke handicap. In addition to giving another diving display. Tickle will compete in an eightpoint limit diving handicap and .will probably be opposed by the pick of Otago s divers. A water polo match, in which Clark will captain one of the teams, has been included in the programme. To-day, the visitors will take part in a demonstration carnival at Milton, which should prove one of the most successful, swimming features, ever staged in that centre. A strong team from Dunedin is expected to make the trip, and, given fine weather, the meeting should give a decided fillip to swimming' in the district. A further country carnival has been arranged for December 1 at Alexandra, and at its conclusion the visitors will be taken on a motor tour of the lakes district, making an appearance at Roxburgh on their way back to Dunedin. Walter Jarvis will accompany the visitors on their northern tour, and will appear with them at Oamaru,' Christehurch, and Westport. MACANDREW BAY REGATTA Always one of the most enjoyable aquatic fixtures of the season, the Macandrew Bay regatta will include in its programme this season a lengthy series of swimming events, and, as in previous yearß, application-has been made to the Otago Centre for its officials to take charge of the section. The. programme as-submitted to the centre for approval is as follows:—Plain Diving, 100 Yards Interclub Handicap, 50 .Yards Ladies Interclub Handicap, 100 Yards Interclub Breaststroke Handicap (trophies in each case being 12s 6d for first and 7s 6d for second), 50 Yards. Junior and Intermediate Handicap, 50 Yards Interclub Handicap, and 50 Yards Backstroke Handicap (trophies for first and second in each case), Greasy Pole, Pillow Fight, and Aquaplaning; ,\j . A WONDERFUL BATHING POOL ." England, and,. in if act, the whole of the British Isles,' is becoming waterminded, and huge bathing areas, baths, and swimming' pools are being constructed everywhere," stated Mr Harry. Hay, the well-known Australian' swimming coach, on his return from the Olympic Games. "Each-county seems to be: endeavouring to outdo the other, .'and many have the interesting • title of road houses. The greatest, of course; is the world-famous Empire Pool at Wembley, a remarkable structure, with its huge, wide expanse ot glass roof without one»,supperting column. Seating, accommodation is provided for 15,000 persons, and the approaches and exits are specially, efficient. The pool itself, is the last word in construction, and a. unique wave-making, apparatus is installed,'and in conversation with Mr Elvin, the manager of the Wembley enterprises (Which includes many playing fields and sports areas as well), I learned that enormous crowds attended the pool daily, as many as 8000 bathers passing through, the 'turnstiles in one, day, not to mention, the many hundreds of visitors and sightseers. The other pools that appealed to me were the West Ham Bathing Pavilion, with its five basins, and erected' at a cost of '£160,000, the. S.S. Brighton area at, the sea town of ; that .name, ' having a' huge bathing, space and delightful noyeltiesi and conveniences; Hastings Pool, again something novel and different was also attracting huge daily crowds. This latter concern is tinder the control of Colonel Drinkwater and a staff of some 35. Colonel Drinkwater's salary, by the way. is in the vicinity of £ISOO a year. : England is fast establishing herself ,as ■ pne of the greatest bathing nations of the world." CLUB NOTES KAIKORAI. , As the championship events draw near considerable improvement can be recorded in the standard shown by members of the Kaikorai Club. Keenness is the keynote, many swimmers being really fit and in: good form for what promises. to be a- big., season. A lively interest has been aroused by the visit of the Australian swimmers, their demonstrations being keenly followed and found most instructive. A good muster- of ladies has commenced training, and among the new members of this section Miss L. Abbott is regarded as being capable of registering good times in freestyle events. Miss H. Huddait has a nice, long stroke and relaxes quite well. She should endeavour to develop a stronger leg action. A large number of junior boys attended the club session last Saturday night, and many of these are showing signs of making excellent progress. E. Still is a game young diver, but his lack of balance will preclude his getting the best results. L. Highfield, an ex-Sou thlander who recently joined the. club, impresses with his all-round ability. He will be competing in interclub fixtures shortly. The recent return of Ivan Laing, the club's secretary, has considerably strengthened the competitive resources of the club. Water polo practice was indulged in on Saturday night, but, unfortunately, very few members have acquired much skill at this game, so it is not intended to enter a team in competition this season. However, with-coaching, ■ the material available should furnish a team capable of making competition very interesting in the near future. ZENITH. The recent spell of fine weather has resulted in a large increase in the nightly attendance at the club hour at the Y.M.C.A. pool. Swimmers generally are settling down to solid training in fine style, and this, coupled with an atmosphere of discipline, friendliness, and enthusiasm, augurs well for a tip-top season.

Miss E. M. Frame i.s now reaping some of the benefits of the hard work she has been doing this season. This member advanced a whole grade on Monday night last, and her action is becoming smoother and easier. She should be a potential contestant in future harbour Bwims if she sticks to training as she is doing at present. G. Hayden, the Zenith captain, is still giving yeoman service in both the coaching and administrative side of club affairs, and has been responsible for some excellent innovations and improvements. He ha* the happy ability not only to be keen himself but also to infect others with his keenness. The two young Hughes boys, Eric and Neil, are going great guns. They are both keen and determined little triers. A junior girl, Miss M. Steven, is now in the length-swimming clasa. This

young lady is another game little swimmer who shows promise. Miss ..Edna Wilson, another junior, girl, is making marked .progress recently, and Russell Stewart, an intermediate, is improving his speed and style with every, swim. .-.. Zenith has a new record-breaker in i. Guthrie. This member was an absolute beginner at swimming at the start of this season. One month ago he was in fifth grade; a fortnight ago he swam into third grade; and oh Monday last his time, was only two-fifths of a. second, outside second'grade. He, sets-an example to. all learners by showing what can be done by determination, attention, to coaching, and nightly praotice. This young man has the physique of a swimmer and should go far in the sport if he so elects. The original aims of the club—to _ teach people to swim—are being upheld rigidly. The learner and the junior get the same careful attention as the advanced and senior swimmers. Fortnightly grading nights give swimmers an opportunity for friendly' rivalry, and also provide swimr mers and coaches with a valuable and interesting record' of progress. Some parents are showing commendable interest in the progress of their children, but the attendance of parents at club sessions still leaves much, to be desired. Any parent who can. spare the time -to come along to the club sessions can be assured of a veiy hearty welcome. The introduction of life-saving classes oh Friday nights has been.met with enthusiasm from members. This class is held ■• at the Y.M.C.A. pool ev'f ry I ri.day evening from 6. to 7 o'clock, and an even larger attendance is desired*. For these classes the club is fortunate in having secured the services of D. Pickard as instructor. ~, i : ' DUNEDIN. Jocelyn Harris, an enthusiastic intermediate, is showing progressive improve-, ment in the backstroke, and if she enters competition should do well. The second race.for the Junior Second-clasps Handicap, held last week, resulted in a win for R. Knewstubb, with Berland second and J. Skinner third. . The winner is showing considerable improvement, and if he would only practise would make a good swimmer. Miss G. Rix is doing good work, but should do more long distance work. Dougla s Ness is a very keen member, but he should pay more attention to his timing. . . Several new members have joined up with the' club and are being coached by the senior members. A pleasing feature is the interest being shown in the diving section, and all the . members are keen to be coached.' by the Australian diver H. Tickle. . He gave them some good coaching after his own splendid performance at the demonstration hour on Tuesday night. Molly Rose-s-ear is a much improved junior, and Abraham is also doing very well. The rules for the buttons competition have been drawn up, and as the younger members are being well catered for in this event, some keen competition should be seen. W. Newall, G. Rix, P. Harkess and J. O'Driscoll were seen talcing full advantage of R'eg. Clark's coaching at the baths on Tuesday night. O. Ferguson is improving, but" will have to pay more attention to her entry. The Leckie brothers are doing solid .training at the present time, and are bringing their times down with every swim.