SWIMMING

Southland Times, Issue 20939, 23 November 1929, Page 18

SWIMMING

By '

“Trudgeon.”

THE SOUTHLAND CENTRE CLUB HOURS AT BATHS. Monday.—s.3s-6.30 p.m.,. Progressive. Tuesday—s.ls-6.15 p.m., Ex-pupils. Thursday.—s.4s-6.30 p.m., Collegiate. The Invercargill Club has not yet applied for'a club hour. First Carnival of season —Murihiku’s November 27. , The annual meeting of the Southland Swimming Centre held on Monday night showed a very satisfactory state of affairs. Although not much definite work was done, the centre has been put on a sound basis and a strong body of officers is elected. It is to be hoped that Invercargill and Lumsden Clubs will join in the Centre,. Their non-membership means definite and serious disadvantages for them because it means that swimmers in affiliated clubs cannot assist them in their carnivals. In other ways, they are forced to keep below the standard of the other clubs and moreover their swimmers cannot compete for Centre trophies. Riverton possesses many strong swimmers and with a little enthusiasm, a strong club could be worked up. The following interesting letter has been received by the Centre from Mr. W. L. Stewart, head teacher at the Waimatuku School: —“Please forward me three fiftyyard swimming certificates for three pupils who gained them at the end of the third term—Mavis Smith, Hugh Mclndoe and Edward Gibb.

“May I also refer to the report of Mr. A. R. Dunlop,” he continues. “It is there stated that Mr. Dunlop made it his business to get into touch with every head teacher in Southland, and had only one response. Mr. Dunlop may have written to this school, but his letter never reached me. The last and only letter I have had on swimming was some considerable time back, from the Otago Centre. I have been teaching swimming in this school for over three seasons. I'have even inquired at the Teps for tuition for my youngsters when in at the Manual Training College. So far my success seems small, but one has to take into consideration the facts that we use the Waimatuku River and are dependent on suitable pools being left after floods; that our seasons vary; and finally many of my youngsters are milkers and have to go home fairly early after school. “These perhaps are facts not known to Mr. Dunlop, and account for his pessimism. With regard to means of increasing enthusiasm I should advise concentrating on the country schools and getting into touch with the School Physical Instructor, plus another try to all head teachers. In conclusion, my youngsters are already prospecting for pools and Mr. Dunlop would be a very welcome visitor, especially if he comes prepared to change and show the young idea swimming of the best.” IN THE BATHS CARNIVALS AND CLUB NIGHTS. At the time of writing these notes the entries for the Murihiku carnival might be better but as the closing date is not till Saturday night (the 23rd) at. 9 o’clock there may be a rush, as there was at past carnivals, at the last minute. As far as can be ascertained at present there is a very poor response from the primary schools and as no less than three items have been arranged on the programme for them,' this is very disappointing. I do hope they make some response before the end of the week. A number of those boys and girls from primary schools whom I have approached have told me they cannot possibly enter for this carnival as it clashes with their proficiency examinations. This probably accounts for lack of entries. Perhaps it would be wise on the Murihiku Club’s part to postpone the carnival for a week, as, apart from the children, quite a large number of adults owing to the cold snap lately have not been able to get in‘enough training. The Ex-pupils’ Club had a very successful club hour at the baths on Tuesday, some forty members being present. The occasion was the first swimming contest for the ladies’ and gentlemen’s club championship cups. The following started in the ladies’ event (33 l-3yds):—Misses F. and N. Ba&> tian, Miss S. Murdoch and Miss J. Scandrett. A great race resulted in the above order, and the two latter showedrexceptionally improved form from last year, finishing close to their rivals. The following started in the men’s race: E. Salisbury, A. Kingsland, R. Wesney, W. Kennedy, W. Springford, K. Broad and P. McGrath. The resultl was a big surprise as the boys were in good fettle and the men had only had two or three swims previously. The start was good with the exception of E. Salisbury who lost about 3-5 of a second. K. Broad had a slight lead the the 25 yards mark, but W. Kennedy who is very fit just now beat him by a touch, with P. McGrath a touch away, third. The rest were very close up. It was a very, fine race and was a triumph for the junior members of the club. The next swim will be swum on Tuesday over a distance of 220 yards, and present appearances look as if Walter Springford, K. Broad and P. McGrath will fill the places and there may be another surprise. ELEMENTARY ARM STROKE By Mr. E. S. Williams and Mr. H. S. Baker. Begin swimming with the usual “dogpaddle” action (with the arms under water) and-feet thrashing up and down- in an easy manner. When momentum has been gained and some yards have been covered begin working the arms in a circular manner under* the water as if working the pedals of a bicycle with the hands, trying at the same time to keep the legs steadily thrashing and breathing as before. By working the arms more and more in larger circles they will soon come out of the water and the leaner vjjll be doing an elementary arm stroke. Complete about two or three strokes with each arm and then stop, for it is certain as soon as the arms are lifted out of the water the legs will not be equal to the new action and will break from the regular thrash. By stopping lifting the arms right out, but continuing the circular movement under water after doing a few strokes the legs fall back to the proper thrash automatically and the breathing > is continued as before. Swim a few more yards with arms under water and paying careful attention to all details, and begin increasing the circles of the arms again and once more do a few strokes with the arms out of the water. The learner should not lift the arms high from 'the water but preferably barely clear of the water, for then the action of the feet and breathing are not so likely to be disturbed.

By completing a few- yards with alternate bursts of overarm and underarm (as it were) all the time keeping the legs moving in the accustomed thrash, the swimmer is building up a stroke which is free from faults and which will return him the greatest rewards. On no account swim more than a few strokes overarm at a time, as the new action is too much of a strain and all the preliminary leg and breathing practice will be of no use, and faults in both these branches will be bound to occur. Remember patience 'and concentration will return more than a hasty trial and in this respect the "slow plodder” is the man who usually succeeds. All this detail may strike some readers as absurd but it must be stated that in UH. find Australia the coaches keep the beginner for one whole season

doing only the leg thrash without using the arms above water at all. The results they get justify such measures and since more science has been introduced to N.Z. swimming in the last few years, the standard has improved tremendously.

The qualifying rounds of the British open championship next year are being decidea on two courses, the Royal Liverpool and Wallasey. The latter course has recently undergone extensive improvements and has been lengthened to 6,300 yards, the first, second and eighth holes having been materially, altered. Further alterations to the Wallasey course will be** carried through during the spring, and it is expected that the course will measure 5,500 vards when the championship begins.