SWIMMING

Otago Witness, Issue 4048, 13 October 1931, Page 47

SWIMMING

By

Neptune.

FIXTURES November 9 to November 14 (inclusive). —“Learn to Swim Week.” November 14. — Otago Swimming Centre's gala. Club Hours.—Monclay: St. Clair Life Saving Club and Training College Swimming and Life Saving Club; Tuesdays and Thursdays: Kiwi Amateur Swimming Club; Fridays and Saturdays: Dunedin Amateur Swimming Club. Club hours are at the Municipal Baths from 8.45 p.m. to 9.45 p.m. THE COMING SEASON Now that the annual meetings of the clubs and the centre are over, the activities of the various clubs are in full swing, and the enthusiasm being displayed by old and new members augurs well for the success of the ensuing season. Of paramount importance in connection with the fixtures for the 1931-32 schedule is the centre’s decision to conduct a “ Learn to Swim ” week from November 14 to November 19. These “ Learn to Swim ” weeks have met with considerable success in other centres, and apart from the followers they win over to the sport, they perforin a valuable service in stimulating interest in swimming among the public generally. Broadly, the centre’s scheme includes the provision of competent instructors for those who are desirous of learning to swim, and the staging of races and demonstrations of swimming, diving and life saving, so that the public may see what is being done. It is more than probable that the innovation will have far-reaching effects, and the writer is not alone in hoping that it may result in every large business firm having its own club; more clubs for the centre, more swimmers for the clubs, and last but not least, more baths for the swimmers. This perhaps appears somewhat optimistic, but after all, swimming is the one sport that has a really utilitarian value (apart, of course, from the benefits derived from the exercise provided by all sports), and it is only a movement such as “ Learn to Swim Week ” that will bring this home to the public. Given fine weather, the coming season, with “ Learn to Swim Week ” to boost it along, should be the most successful in the history of swimming in the province. In the meantime, here’s hoping! OTAGO CENTRE. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Otago Swimming Centre was held ]a-1 week, and was attended by Messrs J. L. MTndoe (chair-

man) B. Kerr. A. Greig, H. D. Gillies, A. I’indlay, W. Williams, W. Jenkins D. G. Bannatyne, W. H. Buckland, E. H. James, E. G. James, D. Thomson, and E. C. Isaacs.

ANNUAL REPORT. On the motion of the chairman, the annual report was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. The following office-bearers were elected:—President, Mr J. L. M'lndoe; deputy-chairman, Mr W. H. Buckland; vice-presidents—Messrs D. C. Bannatyne, P. N. Rundle, A. Greig, E. H. James, E. G. James, W. H. Matthews. W. H. Buckland, W. A. Jenkins, 11. H. Henderson, and D. Thomson; hon. secretary, Mr E. C. Isaacs; lion, treasurer, Mr E. G. James; lion, auditor, Mr N. Sutherland; handicapper, Mr W. A. Jenkins; educational oflicer, Mr W. 11. Buckland; assistant educational officer, Mr D. Thomson; delegate to New Zealand Council, Mr T. Ihompson; property steward, Mr H. D. Gillies; polo referee and coach. Mr P. A. Mathieson; local officer, Mr W. H. Buckland. “LEARN TO SWIM WEEK.” On behalf of the committee that had been appointed to draw up a programme for “ Learn to Swim Week.” the secretary said that it was recommended that it should be held from November 9 to November 14. Th* City Council had promised its fullest; support and co-operation, and had decided to type the circulars for the centre ami to distribute them free of charge. It was the intention of the committee that instruction should be the paramount feature of the week's programme, and any races or displays should be’ held during the dub hours, after the instruction classes had been terminated. The clubs had promised their co-operation, and this would enable the public to see what exactly the centre was able to provide in the way of attractions for its carnivals. It was recommended that on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings of the week an effort should be made to arrange some sort of instruc-

Angler (having landed big fish): ‘'l'll have to throw it back.” Friend: " Whatever for? Angler: “ No one will ever believe it.” —Everybody’s Weekly, London.

tion class from 7to 9. For other hours during each morning of the week, the baths staff, through Mr P. A. Mathieson, had very generously consented to take charge of tuition. The same would apply during the afternoons, and each day from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. the swimmers would be •» responsible for the instruction classes. It was recommended that the week should be officially opened by the Mayor (Mr R. S. Black) at 6.45 p.m. on Monday, November 9. and that from 9 p.m. onwards on that night there should be an exhibition of strokes and fancy swimming by Mr P. A. Mathieson and assistants. It was proposed to hold a handicap race on Tuesday night at the same time, and on Wednesday night a handicap (under 17) and a challenge relay between banka and warehouses, or some such teams. An exhibition of diving was proposed for the lunch hour session on Thursday for. say, 10 minutes, and a similar exhibition at 9 p.m. It was thought a girls’ (under 17) handicap might be held on Friday, and an exhibition of strokes given by sonic of the swimmers. The programme for the carnival was tentatively drawn up as follows: —Four A-side Men’s Relay for business firms, trades, and professions; Four A-side Relay (Ladies) for business firms, trades, and professions; Mixed Relay Four A-side for drapery and wholesale firms only; Six A-side Interclub Relay Handicap, 50 Yards Business Girls’ Handicap, Punt Fight, Life-saving Handicap (second and fourth methods), 66 2-3 Yards Ladies’ Interclub Handicap, 33 1-3 Yards Boys’ and Girls’ Handicap (under 17), Diving Handicap, Learners’ Race (one width), Tiny Tots’ JLace (under 11). Mr Mathieson, superintendent of the baths, had very materially assisted the committee in drawing up its proposals, and it was suggested that instruction classes should have precedence over usual bathing patronage during that special week. It had been suggested also that the council might be asked to print a card to be filled in by those registering for instruction. It had also been suggested that the centre should run a dance on the Wednesday during “ Learn To Swim Week,” the same committee as had acted previously for the combined swimmers’ dance to have control. The chairman supported a suggestion by the baths custodian (Mr P. A. Mathieson) that instruction classes for inetructors should be held, and pointed out that whilst many of the instructors might be good swimmers, it did not follow’ that they could teach swimming. The report was adopted, and it was decided that Mr P. A. Mathieson should he placed in full charge of the instructional work, and that all instructors should be under his jurisdiction.