SWIMMING

Southland Times, Issue 17655, 12 February 1916, Page 10

SWIMMING

(By "Float.") Swimming is undoubtedly the most popular exercise of the last few weeks. Without counting the large number who go surfing, there are over 700 people Who bathe cither at Orinan street, Fox street, A venal, or the Waihoyai. Though the majority appear to have little knowledge of this most hea I thy snort, still con’idencc and consistent prac,ic<? will soon enable thorn to become proficient swimmers. A while ago the regular devotee to the mornmg plunge was, looked upon as somewhat, daring, hut judging hy the popularity that swimming is coming into, there will soon lie few' people who do not indulge in this health-giving and exhilirating pastime. Cm Tuesday o', ming last ::l mimes were propose! am! a teegd at the A\cnal Cluh's meeting. This, io:.elder with, about 3" at lim prei aum meeting, considerable swells (sc aaai-rs ot LiijS otleigetl.: and sell-su:mimlin ; a club. Some oi liu? male executive ot the A venal S.C. arc 1 usy improving toe approach to the ladies dressing sued. In all probability the Avenal Boating and Swimming Clubs will combine forces

■ in an aquatic sports fixture about the first week in March. To do all in their power to encourage the young idea in the art of swimming is one of the main features of the Avcnal S.C., hence the application of the Girls’ .High' School and the Girls’ Technical College for the use of Its sheds were readily acceded to. in Messrs Wesney (2), Franks, Day and Donniston the A venal Club is lucky to possess .five energetic workers, who are ably supported by some very keen lady and gent, members. The genial Arthur Franks acts in dual capacity as secretary of both the Swimming and Boating Clubs at Avcnal. Owing to the large numbers using the sheds at present, the. Avenal Club is applying to the Council to allow them the use of tiie, T.W.C.A. shed, which is in close proximity to their own; also to have town water laid on at the sheds, so as to enable the Club to instal up-to-date shower baths. Encouragement to ladies who are learning to swim may bo found in the fact that three ladies at Avenal acquired the breast-stroke before eight lessons had been completed, one lady .tourneying off on lier own in the sixth lesson; also two other lady members (one the wife of a very .prominent swimmer) who ha ve only a couple of seasons’ swimming to their credit,’ have valuable trophies already adorning their homes. To show tiie hold , tiie swimming pastime is getting upon the public of North Invercargill, the North Swimming Club, which lias its rendezvous at the Waihopai and is now about three weeks old, ■ has a membership of i*l9. . The committee have made a start with the formation of a ladies’ club, and the Coun- . cil have promised the erection of a ladies : dressing shed. Any lady desirous of joining can secure membership tickets from any of the gents committee. The club held very succesful water sports one evening last week, and intend holding another in the near fut-. ' urc, in anticipation of which the members, as may be expected, arc devoting most of their time to rigorous training. : The club is fortunate in having two such energetic secretaries as Messrs_ Frank Woodward and V. C. Treweek, who are as enthusiastic out of the water as in

The North Club must be congratulated on the large number of competitors that toed the footboard in each event on Wednesday night of last week: a grand total of 105 competitors donning their costumes for 10 races. For a young club this is most encouraging and must have greatly pleased those who have worked so hard for the welfare of the new institution. Several southern swimming enthus - iasts were heard to remark during the week that over 300 people took to the water last Sunday. That they mean business down south is shown the manner in which they are already agitating for improvements at the popular Pleasure Bay. . ; “Float” will be pleased to receive items of interest in connection with the aquatic pastime, addressed care of this office.