SWIMMING

Southland Times, Issue 19123, 15 December 1923, Page 12 (Supplement)

SWIMMING

(By “Taniwha”). Most members of the Invercargill Swimming Club had despaired of striking a fine day for their opening, as they have always managed to strike a contrary day for the past few years. Eearly on Saturday morning the weather conditions did not look too promising, but after a while things cleared, with every prospect of a fine afternoon, which eventually.happened, though a rather strong wind was a bit of a set-back. Ihwover, a fairly large crowd attended and the opening function was successfully carried out.

The president of the I.S.C. stated last Saturday afternoon that some people thought that the various Invercargill swimming resorts would not be needed when the tepid baths were installed. A number of Invercargillites do seem to have this idea, but I think it is a good thing the great majority do not entertain it. A tepid baths is a necessary improvement to our town, and a great amount of good will result from its installation. But as to the open-air swimming places being affected, why, that’s all “eye-wash.” All New Zealand towns have their swimming baths, but I have yet to meet the man who can say that the attendance of bathers at the seaside or river resort has suffered in consequence. The tepid baths is of vital importance, as it is there that our boys and girls will have the chance to swim under the guidance of a competent instructor, and will thus be well versed in the rudiments of the art before they are allowed to tackle open water. Our climate, too, is rather cantankerous at times, and in seasons such as that experienced last year, when we had stormy weather right up till Christmas, the tepid baths will be doubly welcome. The well-known stamina and independence of New Zealanders have not been developed by swimming in artificial bathing places,’ but by our love of the open air and by indulging in swimming in God’s own natural bathing resorts whenever possible. Miss Violet Scotten, of the Kiwi Swimming Club, Dunedin, who has already made a name for herself, will spend the Christmas holidays here, and hopes to put in a good deal of her time at Pleasure Bay. Pretty good to have Dunedin champions coming to the Bay, isn’t it ? The Pleasure Bayites have introduced a club badge this season. The design consists of a seabird on the wing above the letters I.S.C. The drawing has been beautifully executed by Mr Huntley Dunlop, and the badge is artistic and appropriate. It will be sold to club members for sixpence. “Taniwha” will always be pleased to receive matter of interest to swimmers from local club members.

The appointment of a permanent handi- j capper for the annual Annette Kellerman race as was made a suggestion to the New Zealand Council by the centre, would be a great advantage (remarks “Crawl” in the Dominion). A sound point was raised by Mr Beasley in regard to the current in the Wanganui River, and this race. He pointed out that the distance fixed for the race by the promoter was three miles in open water, that the current in the Wanganui was at least 2A to 3 miles an hour, and might be as fast as 5 miles in times of fresh or spring tides. To make the course only three miles under these conditions was to defeat the purpose of the originator of the race,, as, even if it were started in slack water at full tide, the handicapping would give the limit men an advantage over the scratch men. He stated that two miles could be swum on the Wanganui River in 22 minutes. It was decided to ask the New Zealand Council to make it five miles. The appointment of Mr J. Blakney as assistant education officer will enable a good deal more to be done in training the young swimmers of Wellington. It would be a very good thing if educational officers could be appointed to work the Hutt and Wairarapa, as it would mean that three or four times the number of young swimmers would be brought in. An old-buffera 50yds race, adjourned from a previous occasion, was swum at the commencement of the week, and resulted, in a win by a touch for the veteran C. Walters from Wally Fewster, to whom he was conceding seven seconds. Some of Wally’s supporters have asked for another go, which is to take place at 3 p.m. today. On this occasion the distance has been increased to 100 yards, and Wally

gets nine seconds star. The keen interest being manifested in swimming at the Port this year has induced the committee to put on eight events at the forthcoming Diamond Jubilee Regatta, as advertised in yesterday’s issue. For some time the Bluff school-teachers have been fostering the sport by taking their charges for a daily dip during the dinner hour, and quite a number of promising juvenile swimmers are in view.