SWIMMING

Southland Times, Issue 21897, 24 December 1932, Page 13

SWIMMING

(By

“Trudgeon.”)

CLUB HOURS. Murihiku: Monday. 6.15—7 p.m. Ex-Pupils: Tuesday, 5.45—6.30 p.m. Collegiate: Thursday, 5.45—6.30 p.m. Oreti Surf Club: Thursday, 8.45— 9.30 p.m. FIXTURES. January 26, 27, 28: New Zealand Intermediate and Junior Championpionships (at Invercargill.) Judging by the returns submitted to the last meeting of the City Council by the baths superintendent (Mr H. S. Baker), the baths seem to be gaining in popularity. At any rate, and this is what some people regard as more important, the cash returns are gradually climbing, a very encouraging sign. Mr Baker stated that the attendances had been very heavy during November and the returns showed an increase of £2B over November of last year. Another increase was noted in the sale of children’s tickets, which had been exceeded only on one other month. Last Saturday a party of enthusiasts from Dunedin journeyed down to Balclutha to hold a carnival in conjunction with local swimmers in order to encourage the formation of a club in Balclutha. The carnival was held in the Balclutha Baths and was quite a success. This is reminiscent of the time when parties from Invercargill used to pay visits to the country with a similar idea.

All the pleas of the centre to have the southern wall of the baths building extended to allow more seating accommodation in view of the New Zealand championships have apparently fallen on deaf ears as far as the Baths Committee is concerned. Even if seats have to be placed on top of the dressing cubicles it is likely the centre will have to pay. If this measure is not carried out and a crowd turns up, the result can be better imagined than described. CENTRE CARNIVAL A POOR ATTENDANCE. It was unfortunate that the centre should have chosen Saturday night when there were so many counterattractions for its intermediate and junior championship carnival, but _ it should have realized that at any time Saturday is not a suitable night. In summer time many people leave town for the week-end, other sports do not finish until late and while there is daylight people want to stay outside. On a week night it is a totally different matter. By reason of the fare provided it was a pity that there was such a small attendance. Worse carnivals have attracted a full house. Naturally, the carnival was regarded as a testingground for the New Zealand Championships in January and it was sufficient to raise the hopes of those optimistic enough to hope that Southland will again produce one or two champions. The carnival was exceptionally wellconducted, the events being run off in record time. It was over promptly, only lasting from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the water polo match included. In V. Grenfell, R. Brown and Miss M. McGrath there are three promising intermediates, who should give a good account of themselves in the future. There are also several promising juniors, particularly J. B. Collie, who on Saturday night won the 220 yards freestyle championship without _ much trouble, despite the fact that he did not appear to be exerting himself. The entries for the intermediate division were not large, but the competition was keen. As a matter of fact, there was only one entry for the 75 yards intermediate girls’ breaststroke championship, that of Miss M. Fordyce, who had to swim the distance in order to become champion. It will be recollected that nearly three years ago a similar position arose in a breaststroke championship and A. McDougall had to swim the distance. This is rather a pity, it does not make for interest on the part of spectators or swimmers. The junior division was no better off for entries than the intermediate division, but all this, to a certain extent, is understandable in the case of championships. In both divisions some promising performances were witnessed and that is something. On the contrary, the entries for the full handicap events were large and some splendid racing was witnessed. The water polo match, although the best teams did not participate, was exciting, Collegiate and Ex-Pupils drawing by scoring three goals each.

An appeal for funds to assist in the running of the New Zealand Championships was made and 4/6 was realized by means of pennies thrown into the pool. BEACH PATROLS. QUESTION OF PAYMENT. The New Zealand Association has recently issued a statement setting out its policy on the question of beach patrols, states “Header” in the Evening Post, Wellington. It will be recollected that the status of these patrols has been the subject of considerable discussion in the past, resulting in a ruling being sought from the International Federation, which body declares that paid beach patrols are professionals, and as such, are ineligible for reinstatement. This ruling has not met with favour either in New Zealand or Australia, where the use of beach patrols, mainly recruited from the ranks of the surf and life-saving clubs, is greater than in any other country in the world, and an endeavour- is being made to seek an alteration in the laws of the International Federation. The federation rules that beach patrols and bath custodians are professionals, but it , also declares that teachers of element-

ary swimming and teachers of lifesaving (who are paid for that work) are amateurs. Just how they arrive at this decision is not understood, but presumably it is that provision must be made for the teaching of swimming and of life-saving if these activities are to make progress. This may be sound reasoning to a degree, but surely bath custodians and beach patrols render equally as useful service to amateur sport to say nothing of the humanitarian aspect. Yet the federation rules they are professionals and teachers of swimming and life-saving amateurs. The Australian Union viewpoint is that all should come under the same rule and be declared straight out professionals or amateurs, with the right to reinstatement under certain specified conditions, and the New Zealand Association is in agreement. It is contended that the following resolution, which was defeated at the International Federation Congress, is equitable and consistent with the constitution, and should receive further consideration. It reads:—“Swimming bath attendants and surf or beach life guards who are remunerated for such services are not eligible to compete in amateur events while in such occupation, but provided they have been employed by a State Government or municipal authority may six months after the termination of their engagement, make application to their national body for reinstatement as amateurs, providing they have not infringed the amateur laws in any other respect. Such application, if granted, must be reported to the F.I.N.A. forthwith, who shall have the right to call for all particulars connected with the application. If the F.I.N.A. challenges such reinstatement, the swimmer concerned shall not be permitted to compete as an amateur pending the F.I.N.A. investigation and decision. The F.I.N.A. decision shall be final.” In view of the defeat of this resolution previously, the New Zealand Association, in the meantime, declares paid beach patrols professionals and cannot grant them reinstatement, but the matter will not be allowed to rest, and in conjunction with the Australian Union, further representations are to be made, with, it is hoped, some success. If a dispensation is given to teachers of swimming and life-saving it should be accorded to beach patrols. The latter constitute no more menace to amateur swimming than does the man who is paid for teaching swimming, and both should receive equal treatment. Actually both are professionals while they receive money for their services, yet the Federation inconsistently declares one professional white and the other black, and it is this anomaly that Australia and New Zealand say should be removed. There cartainly seems to be justification for what they ask.