SWIMMING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17957, 8 December 1932, Page 12

SWIMMING

BRIDSON CARNIVAL THE CHAMPION’S SUCCESSES As the high position held in Now Zealand by Gordon Bridson, who will he swimming under the auspices of the Gisborne Swimming 'Club on Saturday evening, may not be known, the past history of this champion swimmer no doubt will prove of interest. Bridson is now commencing his tenth year of championship swimming. Commencing in 11)23 at the New Zealand eham'pionhsips, he won the 440yds. junior boys’ title and was third in the 100yds. championship. In 1924 he retained the 440vds. title and was second in the 100yds.' Owing to tho infantile paralysis epidemic in 1925 no national championships wore held. Graduating to intermediate rank in 1920, he won the 220 and 440yds. and was second in the 100yds. In 1927 he again repeated his previous ’■mar’s performances. The year 1928 saw Bridson competing in the senior division, whim he won Ihe Auckland titles for the 220 and 440yds., but he was unable to make the trip' to the New Zealand championships. In 1929, however, he won the New Zealand titles for tho 440 and 880yds. and was third in the mile and 220yds. The year 1930 proved to be his most successful when he won all the New Zealand freestyle championships and broke four New Zealand records. It was this year that lie represented New Zealand at the Empire Carnes, held in Canada, where he was placed second in the 440yds. and 1300 yds. championships, and finished sixth in the 100yds. final. All competitors finished practically together. Last roar he was first in the 100yds. and 220yds. New Zealand championships, and second to Dave Lindsay in the quarter, half, and one mile championships. In addition to holding the above championships, Bridson holds nine New Zealand records, which easily places him at the top of the tree among swimmers if Now Zealand to-day.

For its enterprise in arranging for the appearance of Bridson here the Gisborne club is to be commended, and no doubt it will be rewarded by a successful carnival, the entries for which are already bettor than those of previous years’. Bridson undoubtedly will be the chief attraction, hut he will not be without competition. Judging from the way in which Mclveaguc, .1. Miller, Waiiehop, Colebourne and others are swimming, ami allowing for the hnndieii|)s which Bridson will be called upon to concede, the picking of the winners will not bo easy.

Four of Australia’s leading swimmers have accepted an invitation by the Mount Eden and North Shore Amateur Swimming Clubs to cornjictc in Auckland, and probably elsewhere in New Zealand, early in "March. The champions coming are Carl Phillips, \ ictor liesomo, Owen Griffiths, and Frank Griffiths. The main purpose of the two Auckland clubs in bringing over Phillips and Resomo is to match them against the brilliant 16-vear-old swimmer, Noel Crump. Moreover, the four visitors will race against such well-known Auckland stars as G. Bridson, the national senior sprint champion, and R. Frankhii in.