SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22788, 25 January 1936, Page 21

SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

OTAGO TEAM TRAINING ____ % GOOD FORM SHOWN (From Our Special Reporter) i HAMILTON, January 24. Since its arrival in Hamilton the Otago swimming team has shaken off the effects of what proved a somewhat trying journey north, and solid training hag been indulged in during the past couple of days, with the result that the members are all as fit as can be. Hamilton is fortunate in having a first-class pool, and the recent warm weather has raised the temperature of the water to between 72 and 75 degrees, so that competitors who have been used to tepid baths are not inconvenienced to any extent. Easily the most popular swimmer here is the Otago intermediate, S. K. Jarvis. whose work-outs are always watched by a keenly interested crowd of swimmers and visitors to the baths. Present indications point to his strongest opposition coming from the Aucklander A. Pascoe, but it is generally agreed that, if the Auckland lad does head Jarvis off, he will have to turn in record figures to do so. As Jarvis will be swimming at this meeting in his last championship events as an intermediate, it is anticipated that he will attempt to leave new national intermediate freestyle records behind him, and on the form he is showing at present there appears to be every probability of his doing so. C.Eckhold, the holder of the Intermediate Boys' Diving Championship, is almost as well known as Jarvis, and when he appears on the boards there is a general suspension of training activities until he has gone through hiß most difficult numbers. He is diving particularly well, and so far no one has been seen in action here who looks capable of depriving him of his title. To-day Eckhokl celebrated his birthday, and was made the recipient of a small present from the Otago team. A gracetful tribute was paid him by members of the Maori team, who, with due ceremony, presented him with a belt worked by the chaperon, Mrs Aritini. Eckhold has become a firm favourite with the Maoris, and apart from its marking his birthday, the' gift was also a recognition of his action in putting one or two of the Maori lads through their paces on the boards. Jarvis will appear to-morrow in the 440 Yards Freestyle Championship, and Miss J. Purdie, the intermediate girl freestyler, will have her first tilt at a national title in the furlong. She is moving nicely, and the race looks like resolving itself into a battle between her and the Invercargill girl, Miss D. Symonds, although Miss June Melhose, of Auckland, may keep the pair of them busy.