SWIMMING

Otago Witness, Issue 3803, 1 February 1927, Page 53

SWIMMING

By

NEPTUNE.

CHAMPIONSHIP NOTES. As was expected, records have been chattered at Auckland —not one, but many. There can be no doubt that swimming is at its zenith in New Zealand this year, and it is doubtful whether such an aggregation of stars has ever been seen before at a championship meeting. So far, the winners of the various races have swum true to form, and Canterbury’s dark horse (Lindsay) fully justified his supporters’ hopes when he thrashed over one mile in the splendid time of 23min 36 4-ssec, thus beating by Imin 2 l-ssec Maurice Champion’s record of 24min 39see, which has stood since 1912. Lindsay’s performance is all the more meritorious when it is noted that, his time over the half-mile (llmin 40sec) was 14 3-ssec inside his own Dominion record. So Otago is going to have the national championship meeting next year. Well, it may brighten the sport somewhat in this centre, and it is to be hoped that we show that we are deserving of the honour. One satisfactory feature among many in having the championships held in Dunedin is that the local centre will not have to find funds to finance a team to represent the province.

■Unorthodox swimmers. The respective styles and strokes of Takaishi and Saitoh gave rise to much comn ent among Sydney's experts (writes “Indent’’ in the Sydney Referee). There is no doubt about Takaishi and Saitoh being great swimm: -s. They glide through the water with amazing speed and ease. They assert that they have never received coaching, as there are no competent coaches in Japan. What they know they gathered by purchasing all the books obtainable on swimming, and studying the subject, and it must be admitted that the have profited . exceedingly. Takaishi’s free style swimming is a revelation. Australia has . never seen a swimmer with a stroke just like his.. His leg drive, a six-beat crawl, is remarkable for its wonderful power and the suppleness and whip-like action of the feet, which work from the ankles, swirling in propellerlike fashion. Takaishi’s timing is difficult to describe. Indeed, according to Australian ideas it is wrong. Whereas with our swimmers the commencement of . the leg drive and arm catch are synchronal. Takaishi’s appears to commence when one under arm is half way through its drive This timing seems to shoot him through water at a remarkable speed, while the top arm is recovering slowly, and being thrown limply, straight forward in line with the nearer eye for the catch. His stroke is an object lesson in muscles relaxation.

Like Takaishi. Takahiro Saitoh is also remarkable. His backstroke swimming is totally unlike that which Australia’s consider to be correct. Dr Keith Kirkland and Miss Mattie Mealing. Australian record holders at this style of swimming, swim with a noticeable bending of the body, at the hips and head well-up, with the object of obtaining a good planting position. Dr Kirkland advocates making the arm catch at a point bisecting the angle made by head and shoulders. He maintains that to reach further back results in the expending of needless energy and loss of pace. Mattie Mealing’s coach favours an arm catch six inches longer than Dr Kirkland’s, but in both cases the hand in recovering is held at approximately right angles to the water. Saitoh’s arm in recovery, is thrown back limply, almost straight, in line with the body, and the hand makes contact with the water, palm up. He then turns his palm outward and makes his catch about 12 inches from the centre line of the body. Saitoh also lies almost flat on the water, there being very little bend at the hips, •and the head is laid well down. Among swimmers capable of discerning the efficiency of his methods, Saitoh will have many imitators.

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

TWO RECORDS ESTABLISHED. AUCKLAND, January 24. Another memorable programme was witnessedat the tepid baths to-night, when the New Zealand swimming championships were continued in the presence of a very large attendance. The swimming was again of an exceptionally high standard, two more records being established. G. Bridson, in the intermediate boys’ quarter mile event, swam the distance in smin 383-ssec, thus lowering his own record of smin 47sec, and Leslie Olds lowered the .75 yards intermediate boysi’ breast stroke record by 3sec, to 62 3-ssec. Two senior titles changed hands, D. P. Lindsay, of Canterbury, following up his success in the mile by annexing A. E. Baird’s 220yds title, and missing the Dominion record by l-ssec. while Miss K. Miller and Miss M. Jepson, of Otago, both defeated the Australian and New Zealand champion (Miss P. Page) in the 220yds ladies’ championship. L. Fairgray won the 150yds back-stroke championship for the third successive year. Results: — 75 YARDS JUNIOR BOYS’ BREASTSTROKE CHAMPIONSHIP. L. Olds (Otago 1 J. Maggee (Auckland) 2 E. Sommerville (Wanganui) ... 3 H. Shon (Canterbury) did not start. Maggee and Olds had a "reat race all the way. Olds was the superior turner, and won by a foot. Sommerville was two yards away. Time, 62 3-ssec —a New Zealand record. 440 YARDS INTERMEDIATE BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP. G. Bridson (Auckland) .. .. 1 R. Sellars (Auckland) .. .. 2 K. Cleland (South Canterbury) 3 W. Cameron (Wellington) did not start. Bridson left the other boys behind, and, amid loud applause, touched home in smin 38 4-ssee, a New Zealand record. Sellars was over 50 yards away, and Cleland finished some time later. 50 YARDS JUNIOR GIRLS’ BREASTSTROKE CHAMPIONSHIP.

Miss D. Noye (Wanganui) .. 1 Miss L. Fryer (Hawke’s Bay) 2 Miss N. Melton (Wanganui) . • 3 Also started: Miss N. Berry (Canterbury),

The winner swam strongly all the way and won by a yard. Miss Fryer, the smallest girl in the race, got second by a touch. Time, 45 3-ssec. 150 YARDS BACK-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP. L. Fairgray (Auckland) .. 1 C. Heard (Canterbury) .. .. 2 The only starters. Fairgray swem the crawl style of backstroke and won-easily in Imin 57 3-ssec, Heard being 6sec behind. 100 YARDS INTERMEDIATE GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP. Miss D. Magee (Auckland) .. 1 Miss M. Simmonds (Hawke’s Bay) 2 Miss N. Stratton (Wanganui) 3 Also started: Miss L. Coutts (Auckland), Miss L. Broadhead (Wanganui). Time, 69 l-3sec, equal to the New Zealand record. 220 YARDS MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP. D. P. Lindsay (Canterbury) .. 1 J. Rix Trott (Wellington) .. 2 A. D. Adamson (Auckland) .. 3 Also started: J. Enwright, E. V. Cunnold (Auckland), W. Ryland (Wanganui). The six swimmers left the board to a perfect start and travelled up the bath for the* first of six laps in almost a straight line. On the second lap Lindsay went away and had secured a lead of about six feet at 66 2-3 yards. He went on to win by six yards from Rix Trott. Adamson was third two yards away, and Enwright was fourth. The time (2min 31 4-ssec) was l-ssec outside the New Zealand record. 220 YARDS LADIES’ CHAMPIONSHIP. Miss K. Miller (Otago) .. .. 1 Miss M. Jepson (Otago) .. 2 Miss P. Page (Auckland) .. 3 The result of the race was in' doubt until the last 20 yards. Miss Miller set the ~ace, and the race developed into a tussle between Miss Miller and Miss Jepson, the last-mentioned assuming a slight lead, but at the last turn Miss Miller to win by a yard from Miss Jepson, with was inches ahead of her, with Miss Page a yard and Miss Bell two yards away. In the last few yards Miss Miller went ahead Miss Page a similar distance away third. A touch separated Miss Bell from Miss Page. Time, 2min 52 3-ssec. WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIP.

Auckland A 10 go.als beat Wellington nil. The following are the points for the interprovincial trophies (Yaldhurst Shield and War Memorial Shield): — Auckland .... .. 24 5 Canterbury 14 — Otago .. 9 2 Wellington 3 — Wanganui .... .. 3 1 THREE MORE RECORDS LOWERED. AUCKLAND, January 26. Three more records were lowered at the tepid baths this evening at the third session of the New Zealand swimming championships, making a total of nine since the first carnival on Saturday. The swimming was again of ah exceptionally high standard and a large crowd witnessed the stirring contests. Swimming in the half-mile event, D. P. Lindsay (Canterbury) further lowered his own record of llmin 54 3-ssec to llmin 25 3-ssec in a memorable race. The other record to be lowered fell to L. Olds, of Otago, in the 220 yards intermediate boys’ championship, which he won in 2min 43 l-ssec,. which bettered his own record by 22sec, while Miss G. Pidgeon lowered her previous record of 3min 40sec by 2-ssec in the 220 yards ladies’ breaststroke event. The final of the water polo championship between Canterbury and Auckland resulted in the former retaining the trophy by three goals to two. Following are the results: — 880 YARDS MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP. Lindsay (Canterbury) 1 Cunnold (Auckland) 2 Rix Trott (Wellington) 3 Also started: A. Stokes (Canterbury), J. Enwright (Auckland), W. Ryland (Wanganui). There was no doubt about the result of the race from the start, and Lindsay was well ahead even at 'the first turn. He won by about 30 yards. Time, llmin 25 3-ssec. 220 YARDS JUNIOR BOYS’ CHAM-

PIONSHIP. L. Olds (Otago) 1 Smyth (Auckland) 2 Schou (Canterbury) 3 Also started : D. Gowan (Wanganui), T. Morrison (South Canterbury), N. Simmonds (Hawke’s Bay). Olds set out at a wonderful pace and opened .up a big gap. He won by over a lap in 2min 43 l-ssec, a New Zealand record. Smyth’s time was 3min 14 2-ssec. and Schon’s 3min 17 3-ssec. 220 YARDS MEN’S BREASTSTROKE. Heard (Canterbury) 1 Lewis (Otago) 2 Smith (Wanganui) 3 Also started: Dickenson (Auckland). Won by a touch. Time, 3min 7 3-ssec. 220 YARDS INTERMEDIATE GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP. Miss M. Simmonds (Hawke’s Bay) 1 Miss L. Coutts (Auckland) .. 2 Miss D. Magee (Auckland) .. 3 Also started: Miss N. Stratton (Wanganui). Miss Coutts was leading the field at the last turn, with Miss Magee a close second and Miss Simmonds nearby. Miss Simmonds shot up over the last 20 yards, and just touched ahead of Miss Coutts. Mies Coutts collapsed, and had to be lifted from the water. Time, 3min 6 l-ssec. 220 YARDS LADIES’ BREASTSTROKE. Miss Pidgeon (Auckland) .. 1 Miss Whyman (Wanganui) .. 2 Miss J. Bell (Auckland) .. 3 Miss Pidgeon won comfortably by several yards in 3min 39 3-ssec, which was 2-ssec better than her previous, record. 100 YARDS JUNIOR GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP. Miss L. Howarth (Wanganui) 1 Miss S. Brown (Auckland) 2 Miss V. Berry (Canterbury) 3 Also started: Miss M. Elford (Hawke’s Bay). Won by a touch. Time, 76 3-5 sec. 100 YARDS INTERMEDIATE BOYS’ BREASTSTROKE CHAMPIONSHIP. W. Cameron (Wellington) . ». 1 D. Olds (Otago) .. .. .. ... 2 T. Lowe (Auckland) .. .. ~ 3 Time, Imin 21sec. w ■

The final of the water polo championship between Canterbury and Auckland A was thrilling throughout, Canterbury winning by three goals to two. THE DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS. AUCKLAND, January 27. The final rounds of the New Zealand diving championships, consisting of high board events, were decided at the Mount Eden Baths to-night, an exceptionally high standard being set by the competitors in each of the three classes. W. Calder (Otago) retained the open title, with B. Young (Auckland) second, and G. Geddes (Hawke’s Bay) third. The only other competitor was W. Thomson (Canterbury). Miss L. Hbod and Miss P. Jones, both of Hawke’s Bay, filled first and second places in the ladies’ championship, with Mrs W. Thompson (Canterbury) third. The intermediate boys’ section was won by D. Mulvihill (Auckland), D. M‘Kee (Hawke’s Bay) being second. Auckland is leading for the Yaldhurst Shield with 39 points, the points of the other provinces bein'’ - «*-> follows: —Canterbury 30, Otago 17, Hawke’s Bay 9, Wanganui .7, Wellington 4. Auckland is also leading for the War Memorial Shield with 6 points, Otago 3, Wanganui 2, Wellington and Hawke's Bay 1 each.

CHAMPIONSHIP INCIDENTS. REMARKABLE PERFORMANCES BY OLDS. AUCKLAND, January 27. It is a singular thing that the most unfair critics of sport® competitors are those who are mostly ignorant and are not triers themselves. A regrettable instance of this has occourred in connection with the New Zealand swimming championships, and as a result one of the finest distance swimmers in New Zealand has signified his intention of withdrawing from the sport. He will certainly not swim for Auckland centre again during the current season. This is A. E. Baird. It will be remembered that during the mile championship this fine swimmer, who held the four distance titles of New Zealand, felt too ill to continue and he pulled out at a time when he was fighting hard with Lindsay. When he got out of the water he was suddenly assailed by several Aucklanders and very badly abused. He was accosted in most uncomplimentary terms, whereas those who know Baird are fully aware that his titles were won only through hard fighting. Baird was in a state of nerves at the time and completely broke down. All efforts to induce him to contest further races have proved futile. That incident accounted for his absence in the 380 yards championship last night, and he says he will not appear in any more championship races. He has, he says, been swimming for the love of the sport, but because his health failed him and he was unable to carry on he had ugly epithets hurled at his head, much to his annoyance. Baird has the sympathy of all lovers of sport in the position in which he has been placed. When a man is winning he is a hero, but immediately he fails some of the non-triers are prepared to flog him. Leslie (“Buster”) Olds, of Dunedin, has created a sensation in swimming circles by his phenomenal racing. He is only 12 years of age, but by the use of the eightbeat crawl, taught him by his father (Professor Olds), he has established records that will take a lot of shifting. For a youngster to cut out 100 yards in 62 3-ssec as he did on the opening day of the championships was something in the form of a sensation, but his performance last night was equally astonishing. His time for the ,220 yards junior championship was equal to that which Batchelor registered when he won the senior 220 yards four yeai& ago, and he also beat the 16-year-old Australian boy champion’s time by two seconds over the same distance.

Owing to the unsatisfactory judging of the 100yds igen’s senior championship, it being the general opinion that Dowsett actually won the big event, it is understood that in future no more than four finalists will be allowed by the council of the N.Z.A.S.A. ANOTHER RECORD TO OLDS. MISS MILLER WINS 440 YARDS EVENT.' AUCKLAND, January 28. The record-breaking New Zealand swimming championships of 1927 were brought to a memorable conclusion at the tepid baths to-night when three more records were lowered, and another was equalled. Swimming ifl? the 440 Yards Men’s Championship D. P. Lindsay (Canterbury) lowered Baird’s record of smin 30 3-ssec by 6 l-ssec. W. Cameron (Wellington) equalled his own record of 61sec in the 100 Yards Intermediate Championship, while in an unofficial attempt Miss E. Stockley (Auckland) lowered the 100 Metres Back Stroke record by 14 2-ssec to Imin 28sec. Leslie Olds, the Otago schoolboy, lowered B. Bridson’s 440 Yards record by the great margin of 38sec to smin 47 3-ssec. Results: 440 YARDS MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP. D. P. Lindsay (Canterbury) ... 1 G. Rix Trott (Wellington) 2 E. V. Cannold (Auckland) ... ... 3 Also started: W. Ryland (Wanganui), A. Stokes (Canterbury), N. Batchelor (Wellington). Lindsay led from the start and won by 30 yards. Time, smin 24 2-ssec. 440 YARDS LADIES’ CHAMPIONSHIP. Miss K. Miller (Otago) 1 Miss P. Page (Auckland) 2 Miss J. Bell (Auckland) 3 Miss Miller led throughout to win by 10 yards. Time, 6min 11 2-sseo. 100 YARDS INTERMEDIATE BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP. W. Cameron (Wellington) 1 L. Bridson (Auckland) 2 R. Sellars (Auckland) 3 Also started: Raper (Auckland), R. Cleland (South " Canterbury). Cameron showed the way over the first lap, Bridson chasing him hard. He increased his lead up to 80 yards, but then tired and Bridson drew slightly nearer to be thre< strokes away at the finish. Time, 61sec. fOO YARDS FLYING SQUADRON RELAY. Auckland (Bridson, Cumnold, Fairgray, Adamson, Enwright) 1 Wellington (Rix-Trott, Blakely, MTver, Leask, Batchelor) 2 Tlie first 200 yards was closely contested, but Auckland’s last three men each gained, Enwright finishing with an easy stroke five

yards ahead of Batchelor. Time, smin 17 4-ssec. ANNETTE KELLERMAN CUP. AUCKLAND, January 27. The annual three-mile-swimming race for the Annette Kellerman Cup was decided in the Waitemata Harbour thia afternoon, T. Champion (Christchurch) winning by 60 yards from R. Webster (Auckland!), who, besides being second, recorded the fastest time. Shortly after the start the tide began to ebb, and the northerly breeze practically died down, to leave the course calm and almost ideal for the race, which is regarded as the New Zealand swimmers’ Marathon. The starters were: —Mias L. Coppiestone (Canterbury), 29|min; W. G. Morpeth (Wellington), 27Jmin; C. Plumtree (Taranaki), 18Jmin; T. Champion (Canterbury), W. J. Stevens (Auckland), C. R. Watson (Auckland), G. Cate (Auckland), llmin; R. Webster (Auckland), 7imin;M. A. Bolam (Canterbury), 6min; R. De Horee (Auckland), smin; E. Bradley (Auckland), smin; M. Wryland (Wanganui), 34min; C. Wilson (Auckland), Ijmin; J. Enwright (Auckland), scr. The competitors to finish were: —Champion (13^min), time Ihr 31min 37 2-ssec; Webster (7Jmin), Ihr 26min 38 3-ssec, 2; Watson (llmin), Ihr 31min ssec, 3; Morpeth (27Jmin), Ihr 49min 42 3-§sec, 4; A. Bolam (6min), Ihr 29min 39 3-ssec, 5; J. Enwright (acr), Ihr 29min ssec, 6; De Horee (smin), Ihr 36min 54sec, 7. Champion swam strongly all the way, and won with plenty in .hand. Webster is 19 years of age, and is a well-tried distance swimmer.

CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES. AUCKLAND, January 25. The annual conference of delegates to the New Zealand Swimming Conference was opened this morning. The following were adopted:— 1. To recommend the council to open negotiations with the Australian Union for the interchange of swimmers with New Zealand, the deletion of the word “male” being agreed to in order to avoid dissension. 2. That an efficient instructor for each island be appointed for the teaching of swimming and life-saving. 3. That the council approach the Government in connection with haying the teaching of swimming and life-saving made compulsory in the schools of New Zealand where facilities exist. 'JL-e conference also adopted remits to amend rule 12 so that four compulsory dives be selected from the full list as contained in the official handbook; recommending that there be a limit of 880yds for school children when swimming for certificates - that a water polo draw at the Dominion championships be arranged by the council and not by the centre controlling the meeting, and at least one week beforehand; that the Dominion championships for 1928 be held at Dunedin.

DOMINION TOUR ARRANGED. AUCKLAND, January 30. Advice has been received by the hon. secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association that the proposed tour of New Zealand by two Australian lady champion swimmers has been cancelled. The association originally extended an invitation to Misses Claire Couldwell and Ettie Robertson, and when it was learned that the former was not available, asked for Misses Robertson and Edna Davey. Miss Davey is required to swim for New South Wales in the Australian championships to he held shortly, so the tour has been allowed to lapse. In negotiating for the visit the association had in mind the popularising of swimming in the small centres, and, in order not to disappoint the many applicants for carnival dates, it has arranged a Dominion tour by Misses Ena Stockley and Kathleen Miller, of Dunedin. These two swimmers will commence in Dunedin about February 12 and tour northwards as far as Dargaville, where they should arrive at the end of March. Miss Stockley is the 100 yards free style and backstroke champion and record holder of New Zealand and Australia, and Miss Miller won the 220 yards and 440 yards Dominion ladies’ championship last week in very fast time. Mrs Miller has been appointed chaperone. «

TUITION IN SCHOOLS. AUCKLAND, January 25. “That an efficient instructor for each island be appointed for the teaching ot swimming and life-saving, and that the New Zealand Council approach the Government in connection with having the teaching of swimming and life-saving made compulsory throughout the schools of New Zealand,” was the remit moved by Mr L. Brighton (Auckland) at the annual conference of delegates from swimming centres held in the Y.M.C.A. this morning. , Mr Brighton stressed the importance of the matter, and said that the Auckland centre had given the subject a great deal of atten‘tion. They would realise that New Zealand was a country possessing great facilities, but it was appalling to note the number of lives that were lost each year. If a majority of those people had been versed in even the rudimentary elements of swimming, there would have been fewer deaths. Clubs could not do anything—it was for the Government. The matter of making it compulsory in the schools had been brought before the Government by the school authorities but without success. The matter of swimming in schools was most important. It was all very well to say it would set a precedent, but where there were facilities it should be undertaken. Other countries had gone into the matter and had realised th a necessity of it. It would of necessity .mean the spending of a great deal ol money, but it could not be spent in a better manner. Mr J. Enwright seconded the motion, and said all would agree that the council should go into the matter. Nothing else would do but to knock away until they got some finality. Some members of'Parliament had promised support, shut it had not been sufficient. Mr M. E. Lyons (Canterbury) suggested that the movers should add a saving clause “that wherever facilities existed.” If they were to go to the authorities they would be asked, what facilities existed. If it were so put, it would blow out the main argument always put forward by the Govern-

ment. The speaker suggested that an effective demonstration to the Minister should be, arranged. He was sure that if the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education were approached they would do all they, could for the swimmers. Mr P. Rundle (Wellington) supported the motion, and pointed out that 8 per cent, of the fatalities could have been avoided if swimming and life-saving had been known by the bathers s The Auckland delegates agreed to embody Mr Lyons’s suggestion in the motion. The Chairman (Mr W. E. D. Bishop) said the council was in entire sympathy with the matter, and would do all it could to bring about the result aimed at. The motion was carried unanimously. AUSTRALIAN. CHAMPIONSHIPS. MELBOURNE, January 27. The 880 yards national swipaming championship of Australia resulted: —Takaishi (Japan), 1;’ Jones (West Australia), 2; Grier (Queensland), 3. Won by 30yds. Time, llmin 6 2-ssec —a Victorian record. Takaishi took the lead at the. first turn, and easily maintained it throughout. Tha 220 yards national breaststroke championship resulted:—Stedman (Victoria), 1; Stevens (West Australia), 2; Hopkins (Victoria), 3. Time, 3min 8 3-ssec. JAPANESE BREAKS RECORD. 1 SYDNEY, January 28. At Albury the Japanese Saito won the 100 yards invitation back stroke handicap in Imin 9see, which reduced the Australian record by 3 4-ssec, being 2-ssec outside the world’s record.