SWIMMING

Southland Times, Issue 21604, 16 January 1932, Page 17

SWIMMING

(By

“Trudgeon.”)

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The recent spell of inclement weather has not assisted the attendance at the baths to any extent, but it is hoped that the next few months will see an improvement. Thanks to the efforts of the superintendent, Mr Baker, the water is in excellent order and the baths look more attractive than ever. During the recent Presbyterian Bible Class Conference in Invercargill several of the delegates visited the baths and were loud in their praise of the water and the facilities offered. During their visit a sports meeting was held at the baths and some quite good performances were put up.

With swimming in Invercargill things appear to move very slowly. So far no carnivals have been held and apparently none are in the air. However, some prominent local swimmers are getting into training and promises of an even higher standard this year than last seem likely to be achieved.

Jean Cocks and Bonnie Mealing did not compete in club events, but at Coogee Aquarium, Sydney Club star Ena Stockley, the ex-New Zealand representative, swam 50yds in 20 l-ssec, and national 100yds champion Molly Mitchell 29 2-ssec (stated a Sydney writer recently). . Dick Eve, Manly’s 1924 Olympic and English plain diving title-winner, who has announced his intention of applying for reinstatement as an amateur, demonstrated at Manly on Sunday that he has lost little of his former skill and nerve when he gave a brilliant display for the edification of the visiting South African cricketers (says the Sydney Referee). The youthful Petterson, of Sweden, who surprised by earning fourth place in the 100-metre free style swimming championship of Europe at Paris, sprinted the century in 1.0 2-5 at a recent meet in a 50-metre bath at Stockholm, or within one-fifth of a second of the time which won the United States national title for Manuella Kalilis at Honolulu last July. Petterson has done so well and improved so rapidly that Swedish sports critics now hail him a worthy successor to the famed Arne Borg, likely to outdo the latter’s striking achievements before he reaches the limit of his speed.

Dudley Hellmrich, hon. secretary of the N.S.W.A.S.A., who ■ acted as a judge at last season’s national diving championship for women at Brisbane, is certain that on their displays in the event Misses Lurline Hook (N.S.W.), winner, and Greta Mott (Vic.), runner-up, would render a splendid account of themselves at Los Angeles, especially as both girls have since improved considerably on last season’s -form (says the Sydney Referee). In order to thoroughly test out Australian divers, Mr Hellmrich suggests that the dives for the national diving championships for men and women be the same as those to be performed in the Olympic tests. Here is the full Olympic diving programme for men and women: Men’s Springboard Diving (3 metres) — (1) Running pike orJack knife; (2) back somersault; (3) running Molberg (with tuck); (4) back front somersault (with pike) ; {5) standing half twist. Also five voluntary dives. DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS PROVINCE TO BE REPRESENTED. Once again Southland is to be represented at the Dominion intermediate and junior championships, which this year commence at the Riddiford Baths, Lower Hutt, on January 23. P. H. McGrath and F. W. Springford have been selected to carry the province’s colours and it will be agreed that a good choice has been made. So far the only fly in the ointment is the possibility that Mr E. R. Fitzsimmons, who has been chosen to accompany the pair as trainer, may not be able to secure the necessary leave from the baths. A trainer is needed and Mr Fitzsimmons is certainly the man for the job. Already McGrath and Springford have made good progress under his tuition. If the services of an assistant are needed at the baths during Mr Fitzsimmons’s absence surely there is someone in town sufficiently qualified to occupy the position. It is to be hoped the Baths Committee take the long view, for after ail the fact of championships coming to Southland gives the sport, a much-needed boost. Last year McGrath succeeded in annexing the 220 and 100 yards free style championships. This year his chances look extremely rosy. He will again enter for the same events and in addition will compete in the 100 yards backstroke championship. There is also a proposal that McGrath should compete in the diving event provided that it does not interfere with his swimming. Springford is a more inexperienced swimmer than McGrath, but he is not far behind in performance. He swims consistently well and trains hard. It will occasion no surprise in the city if both of the provinical representatives succeed in bringing back a championship. It seems a pity that no girls will travel to Wellington this year. The province seems to be a little weak in this respect, but next year might see an improvement.