SWIMMING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23364, 2 December 1937, Page 5

SWIMMING

By Neptune

Club Hoqrs.—Mondays (8.4j-9.4d p.m.), St. Clair and St. Kilda;Tuesdays (6-7) and Thursdays (8.45-9.45), Kiwi; Wednesdays (6-7 p.m.), Fridays (8.45-9.45 p.m.), Dunedin; Saturdays (8.45-9.45), Kaikorai; Tuesdays (8.45-9.45), centre’s polo hour. All club hours mentioned above are at the Municipal Baths. Zenith Club hours are nightly at the Y.M.C.A. Baths, except Fridays. fixtures December 4—Taieri Club’s carnival. December 6-11. —National Learn to Swim" Week. December 8 and 11.—Otago senior and intermediate and junior championship carnival. . ■ December 15. —Dunedin Amateur Swimming Club’s carnival. December 12.—Batt Cup Harbour Race at Macandrew Bay. January 8, 10, and 12. —National championships. at New Plymouth January 15. 17, and 18.—New Zealand junior and intermediate championships, at Nelson. KIWI CLUB’S CARNIVAL If there was any fault to be found with the Kiwi Amateur Swimming Club’s carnival last week it was probably the lateness of the hour at which it was concluded. In a sense, this was unavoidable, however, for proceedings were delayed for approximately 15 minutes by a break in the electric power supply, and this occasioned some delay in keeping the events up to schedule. Apart from this, however, the lengthy programme was put through in fine style, and the officials of the club are deserving of the highest praise for their diligent and efficient handling of the various events. .., , _ . , For the best individual effort of the evening the honours went to Miss Joyce MacDonald, the Southland girl, who delighted the spectators with a first-class exhibition to win the 110 Yards Invitation Women’s Backstroke Handicap in time which was only l-ssec outside the standard set by the New Zealand Council for selection in the New Zealand team for the Empire Games. The performance of the Southland girl is a meritorious one, particularly when it is remembered that the water she swam in is recognised as the slowest in the Dominion. It was both disappointing and unfortunate that L. Newell, New Zea-. land 440 Yards, 880 Yards, and One Mile champion, had to be disqualified in the 440 Yards Invitation Short-limit Handicap for going before his time, as he really won the race as he liked, and showed that he was in fine form. There is consolation in the fact, however, that his time of smin 16 2-ssec was his fastest to date, and was also the fastest ever recorded over the distance in the Municipal Baths. The 75 Yards Junior and Intermediate Breaststroke Handicap attracted a large entry, and the four heats provided some exciting competition. Here, too, the first placed man was disqualified, and also the second, the official winner being the promising junior Kiwi member, R. Peat. Miss C. Garvin, of the Kiwi Club, swam particularly well to win the 110 Yards Invitation Women’s Handicap, off the 6sec mark. The winner took charge of the race after the first lap and a-half, and gamely withstood a strong challenge from the Southland champion, Miss M. McGrath, to win by a touch. The Otago champion, Miss I. Purdie, did not reveal her true form until the last lap, but although she moved along nicely from that stage she was unable to make up the leeway and finished two yards behind the second placed competitor. Another good performance during the evening was recorded by J. C. W. Davies, the Taranaki and Otago champion, and' Empire Games nominee for the 220 Yards Breaststroke. Davies was making his first appearance this season, and his time of 3min 9 4-ssec for second place in his heat of the 220 Yards. Interclub Breaststroke Handicap was a good effort. By the time he is ready to make his attempt on the New Zealand record of 3min 1 2-ssec he should be at the top of his form. Exciting racing was witnessed in the 100 Yards Medley Relay Handicap, for which 28 teams lined up. Zenith No. 2 team took first place in the final, winning by a yard from Kiwi No. 3. D. Berry, of Southland, fought out a great finish with his club mate, A. Brown, before winning the 100 Yards Backstroke Handicap, which proved one of the most exciting contests of the evening. A. Thomas (Kiwi), off the scratch mark, swam very well to secure third place. It was a happy thought of the club to entertain the spectators with a display of life-saving given by two very capable teams from the St. Clair Surf Club. The exhibition was carried out in customary style, and was warmly applauded by an appreciative audience. KAIKORAI CLUB’S ACTIVITIES The Kaikorai Swimming Club .is pleased to advise its members and intending members that it has been granted a club session from 7 until 8 p.m., and on Saturday night it is hoped that members will show their appreciation of the alteration and be present as the following races are to be held during the club’s session:— • Senior Women.—loo Yards Freestyle C Si° n M?n.-100 Yards Freestyle C Junior 66 2-3 Yards Freestyle C Junfir 0 BSy P s;-66 2-3 Yards Freestyle Championship. As there is only a short time until the Otago Championships are to be held the following members, who will be representing the club, will require to concentrate on as much training as posible:—Miss R, Smith, L. Lamg, R. Smith, J. Hermiston and A. Wallace. Dave Laing, who should prove a successful contender for the 100 Yards Junior Freestyle, would be well advised to get some solid work done to take the rough edges off his stroke. Ralph Smith, if he wants.to have any success in the Intermediate Breaststroke, has some hard training ahead of him during the next week, and if he applies himself to getting a stronger kick and smarter turns, he should perform creditably. . ~ . Rita Smith is diving very well at present, and under the capable tuition of Mr D. Freeman should have little trouble in gaining honours m the Intermediate Dive. She has a fault which is common to many local divers, and that is the habit of performing a few jumps on the board before she dives. This is quite unnecessary with local divers, because they should know the “feel” of the one board from which they dive. J. Hermiston should enter for the freestyle sprints this year. He has a good stroke and a handy turn of speed, and would certainly uphold the club s name in championship competition. Members who intend competing at Mosgiel on Saturday should hand their names in at once. SWIMMING SPLASHES The decision of the Otago Centre not to accede to the request of the New Zealand Council for Miss Islay Purdie to take part in a trial against Miss Nawakira and Miss K. Grey at Auckland on December 14 will doubtless meet with the approval of all who are interested in the performances of the local Bwimmer. As the president

(Mr W, Jenkins) pointed out at the meeting, Miss Purdie was being challenged, and if there were to be any trial it should be heid in Dunedin. General satisfaction will be felt at the appointment as sub-manager of the New Zealand swimming team for the Empire Games of Mr E. C. Isaacs, perhaps the most enthusiastic follower of the sport Otago has had for many years. An energetic worker for his club (Kiwi), as well as for the Otago Centre. Mr Isaacs has done extremely valuable work for the sport of swimming in Otago during the past few years, and he played an important part in instituting “ Learn to Swim Week. Local swimmers will join with the writer in congratulating Mr Isaacs on his appointment, knowing that he is sure to gather some very useful information for Otago on his trip to Sydney next year.