“LEARN TO SWIM” WEEK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22720, 5 November 1935, Page 7

“LEARN TO SWIM” WEEK

CAMPAIGN OPENED OTAGO CENTRE'S EFFORT The Otago Swimming Centre’s fifth annual “ Learn to Swim ” Week commenced yesterday, the first session of the day—that held during the lunch hour—being well patronised, especially by business folk and others unable to attend the baths in the evening or during the afternoon. The campaign was officially opened by the president of the centre (Mr W. A. Jenkins), who explained that the week’s activtities were a community effort on the part of the centre, which was endeavouring to stimulate a greater interest in swimming. He hoped that as many of the public as 'were able would take advantage of the opportunity to become acquainted with at least the rudiments of the art, and, having done so, make every effort to become sufficiently proficient in the water to take care of themselves in ease of accident. Nearly every day one read of drowning fatalities in which the unfortunate victims would perhaps have saved themselves had they been able to swim, and in inauguratin. the present campaign the centre considered that if, as a result of the tuition given, only one life per year were saved, the effort would be more than justified. In conclusion, he thanked the custodian and staff of the Municipal Baths, and the insti actors from the clubs who had come forward so willingly to give their services. He wished the campaign and all those who participated in it every success. At the conclusion of Mr Jenkins’s remarks the instructors took charge of their allotted sections, and the work of teaching was soon in full swing. In the shallow portion of the roped-off pool there must have been between iO and 50 learners, all of whom appeared keen to take ns much advantage as possible of the teaching offered. A number who could swim occupied the deeper portions of the baths, where, under several of the better-known club coaches, they were given instruction in timing, correct kicking, and arm work. At the conclusion of the teaching sessions a demonstration of the various strokes was given.

The campaign will be continued until the end of the present week, and during each session those desirous of learning to swim will receive free tuition from competent instructors drawn from the

various clubs, and from the staff of the Municipal Baths. The custodian (Mr P. A. Mathieson) is iu sole charge of the instructional sessions, and under him the instructors, all at their allotted sections, carry out the work of teaching those who cannot swim, or coaching swimmers who have attained some egree of proficiency.