SWIMMING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22809, 19 February 1936, Page 6

SWIMMING

The Otago Centre of the New Zealand Swimming Association has every reason to congratulate itself on the success attending its conduct of the Dominion championship carnival at present in progress in Dunedin. Evidence of this success is to -be noted first of all in the fact that public interest is being shown to an extent not previouslyexperienced by the Centre. Accommodation for spectators is being seriously overtaxed. Indeed, because of the size and quality of the entry, it may be said that the inadequacy of the municipal pool has been demonstrated. From this fact, and from the evidence of a gratifying revival of public interest in the healthy and skilful sport of swimming, it may be hoped that the movement to provide the city with up-to-date baths, coming nearer to Olympic requirements as regards pool dimensions —fifty metres—and in respect also of appointments for spectators and competitors, will receive a welcome stimulus. It is encouraging to know that swimming, both as a recreation and as a useful accomplishment, is flourishing in Otago and generally throughout the Dominion. The growth in this centre in particular affords proof of administrative wisdom and efficiency. Six or seven years ago there were only half a dozen clubs, with an aggregate of between 500 and 600 active swimmers, attached to the Otago Centre. To-day there are seventeen affiliated clubs, with a total active membership of approximately 3000, making the centre numerically one of the strongest in New Zealand. The Centre's policy of giving the utmost encouragement to its young swimmers is also producing fine results. Three weeks ago an Otago team, competing at the intermediate and junior championship meeting at Hamilton, won the "War Memorial Shield, while it seems probable that the Centre will also have the honour of securing the coveted senior trophy, the Yaldhurst Shield, from Auckland. These successes are not cited for the purpose of suggesting that the winning of trophies, competed for on a national basis, is allimportant. Much greater satisfaction is to be had, or should be had, from the knowledge that swimming is being taken up in Otago with such enthusiasm, and that the methods of instruction that are followed have been productive of such excellent results. We are producing a generation of competent swimmers, young people who enjoy the advantages of participation in a health-giving pastime, and that is itself an achievement to be contemplated with satisfaction as much as with pride. In a sea-girt country like New Zealand, with its unrivalled facilities for beach and river bathing, it should be possible to make a swimmer of sorts of almost every child. There is no need to emphasise the desirability of making such instruction available. Throughout the summer months our surf beaches and river pools take their toll of the incompetent. It was mentioned by a speaker a day or two ago that only 29 per cent, of New Zoalanders are able to swim. Tfic majority of these will belong to the young and hopeful generation which is now wisely being catered for by swimming clubs, by surf clubs, and in the schools. But there is room for the fuller development of the leam-to-swim movement, and for that reason the New Zealand Swimming Association is to be encouraged in its efforts to . secure a restoration of the educational grant formerly provided by the Government for the purpose of facilitating and extending instruction. No other pastime can be held to have quite the same

claim on the indulgence of the State. A knowledge of swimming may mean the preservation of valuable lives. After that, it can be said that persistence in swimming as a recreation must be regarded as a factor in the development of a virile and self-reliant people.