N.Z. SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Southland Times, Issue 23740, 11 February 1939, Page 12

N.Z. SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

LEADING COMPETITORS OF DOMINION COME TO INVERCARGILL

By LIFEBELT. One of the most important sporting events ever to be held in Invercargill, the New Zealand senior national swimming championships, begins at the municipal baths on Tuesday. The contests will be 'continued on Thursday, and will conclude on Saturday. Excellent entries have been received and for three days the public of Invercargill will have the opportunity of seeing outstanding swimmers from all parts of the Dominion in competition for the championship laurels. Many of the competitors represented New Zealand at the Empire Games in Sydney last year, and some also took part in the 1934 Empire Games in London.

This will be the first occasion on which a senior national swimming championship meeting has been held in Invercargill. The New Zealand junior and intermediate championships were held in Invercargill for the first time in 1933, and it is, no doubt, because of the extremely successful organization of that meeting that the senior meeting was this year allocated to Southland. The members of the Southland Swimming Centre, led by the president (Mr A. E. McGrath), have spared no effort to ensure that the 1939 national championships are as successful as, if not more successful than, any which have yet been held. That their efforts will be rewarded seems almost a foregone conclusion.

When one pauses to make a comparison of the old facilities offered bathers in Invercargill with those which are now available to everyone, the advantages which the modern generation enjoys are brought forcibly home. Years ago there were in existence no fewer than four swimming clubs—lnvercargill, North, Otatara, and Avenal. Pleasure Bay was the headquarters of the Invercargill club, Otatara was on the Oreti, North had its headquarters at the Devil’s Pool and Avenal was at the back and north of the. show grounds. Equipment was restricted to the essentials and no more, and comprised a bathing shed and a springboard in most cases. However, although labouring under difficulties, or what to us today would appear difficulties, these clubs carried out much valuable work and formed among them a happy companionable band of athletes.

Some of the old swimmers still take an active interest in swimming and Mr H. Ashley last year was president of the Southland Centre, and is this year still on the committee. He takes his place as referee at all carnivals. Memories are revived annuaiiy by the competition for the Otatara Campers’ Memorial Shield and the Avenal Cup. It is a far cry from those happy-go-lucky days to the present with an important event such as the New Zealand senior championships being entrusted to the care of the Southland Swimming Centre and the cream of New Zealand’s swimming talent in action in Invercargill’s modern swimming pool. The Invercargill pool is one of the most modem in New Zealand. Speaking at' Rotorua at the junior championships recently held there, the Minister of Internal Affairs, (the Hon. W. E. Parry) referred to the exceptional facilities offered swimmers in Invercargill and expressed the wish that New Zealand had more such pools available to the population. And yet there are people living in Invercargill who have never been inside the building. Perhaps the present meeting will stimulate interest which

has been dormant. The City Council and the citizens who were responsible for the present facilities provided perhaps better than they realize, for swimming is rapidly becoming one of the most important physical exercises not only in this country, but in every advanced country in the world. OPENING ON TUESDAY The first senior national swimming meeting to be held in Invercargill will begin on- Tuesday and all prospects point to the gala being one of the most successful yet held. For a long time the Southland centre under the able leadership of its president Mr A. E. McGrath, has been conducting experiments with sound systems, lanes, result boards and so on, with the result that everything should run smoothly next week. Great difficulty was presented by the seating problem and although that is now solved the numbers of seats available are not too numerous; the building will probably seat up to 800 with comfort. Platforms have been erected at both ends of the pool extending to the water’s edge. The men’s dressing boxes have been removed and stadium seating erected there. Wonderfully good entries have been received for all events with the exception of the women’s diving, in which Miss Gwen Rix is again the sole competitor. Entries are bigger than usual for the distance events, and the women’s backstroke races are much better patronized than in previous years. Southland is well represented with a team of 14 swimmers and divers and two water polo teams, and all _ are worthy representatives of the province. Arnold Branks, (Southland) last year’s runner up to the diving champion, D. J. Ewart (Bay of Plenty), will bd a competitor again and is showing improved form, his work in the air being remarkably good. He performs the most difficult dives with ease and grace. In opposition to him will be

a formidable array consisting of Ewart, D. Freeman (Otago) D. Kerr (Nelson) and J. Hardy (South Canterbury), all champions of their respective provinces. Diving of the type displayed by these men almost comes under the heading of acrobatics and should not be missed by anybody who has not seen this sort of exhibition. Miss Rix, although the only competitor in the women’s dive always gives an excellent exhibition of the most difficult dives and since her trip

to the Empire Games she is very much improved. The “blue riband” race, the mens 100 yards freestyle has attracted eight entries and it is doubtful if a more brilliant field has ever faced the starter in New Zealand. Auckland’s representatives should be the most prominent in this event with three swimmers all capable of covering the distance in 55 seconds or better but there are some good men against them and the fresh

water here with its lower buoyancy may prove upsetting to them. Southland has three fast boys in this race and it will be interesting to see how they fare against the cream of New Zealand’s sprinters. There is a good chance that they will all reach the final. . , For the furlong the same field, with the addition of L. Newell, New Zealand Empire Games representative, and record holder over 440 yards, 880 yards and mile, will take the board. As in the 100 yards it would appear that

Peter Hannan of Auckland, will lead the field, but both races should be worth going a long way to see. Three other freestyle distance events, the 440 yards, 880 yards, and the mile are just as well patronized and in these contests some of the best racing should

be seen. Close racing over a long distance is the best entertainment for the public. Swimmers likely to be prominent are Peter Mathieson, New Zealand backstroke champion and record holder, and Alex Stokes, popular Canterbury champion, who is making a startling comeback after six years absence from New Zealand championship events. As a previous New Zealand title holder, Stokes will be one of the most experienced swimmers at the meeting. ~ A former Southlander, Colin Kidd, will be representing Otago this year, but he would not appear to be among the fancied ones although he is fast and a good stayer. Southland will be well represented by Walden Johnson, a former Auckland swimmer, who has broken two Southland middle distance records already

and is swimming very well indeed. He is certain to reach the finals in all his events and is expected to gain points for his province. D. C. Berry will be swimming in the quarter mile freestyle but as he has been training mostly for backstroke he cannot be expected to win this event which is always considered a very hard race. Len Newell, who has recently recovered from an operation, can be relied upon to perform well but under the circumstances he may not be quite as fast as he was last year. Alan Pascoe, Auckland champion, has had at least one tussle with Peter Mathieson which proved that between the two Aucklanders there is very little. They are right after first and second ’places between them. It is hard to measure the worth of their Auckland swims, as theirs is a saltwater bath, which is stated to be two to three seconds \ faster than fresh water over 100 yards. But they are fine performers and must be given a good chance. . . « „, , . Another Aucklander is G. Usher but his chances are not particularly bright. He is entered only for the mile championship. He is a great distance swimmer and he will also be competing in the Annette Kellerman Cup. Handicapped as he is by the loss of

one leg, he would not be expected to hold the others in still water races.

Young, of Otago, and J. Frank, from Nelson, are two other competitors of good quality but neither will be much fancied in the fast company they will be meeting. Much interest will be shown in Stokes in these races, for, although really a veteran, he has displayed greater speed this year in the Canterbury championships than ever before. His victory 'over Newell in the furlong was most meritorious. Stokes has been one of the greatest sports in the history of New Zealand swimming and turned out for Canterbury year after year in a hopeless chase after Lindsay and Bridson to gain points for his province. He had one successful season in Wellington when he beat Bridson. Apart from his still water swimming Stokes has been one of the greatest surf swimmers produced in New Zealand, reaching his zenith when he was selected to represent New Zealand in the surf team for Australia. He is also a splendid water polo player. A win for him would be most popular. WOMEN’S CONTESTS Southland is well represented in the women’s freestyle events by Misses McGrath and Mair. The former took second place to Miss Mona Leydon at New Plymouth and performed particularly well in the furlong event and the 100 yards. This year Miss Grey, of Auckland, and Miss Garvin, of Otago, have been breaking records freely and between them they would appear to have a mortgage on the 100 yards and 220 yards races. But the 440 yards may be a different tale as Miss McGrath is more at home over that distance and is confidently expected to swim a fine race.

Probably the most unfortunate swimmer in New Zealand is Miss Islay Purdie, who, as an intermediate, showed astounding speed, and lost it all in one season. Hailed as of world class, she never reproduced her form. However,

she is still fast, and if she should regain that brillance, whoever beats her would win. , , , Miss Alice Mair is making her debut for Southland and is a pretty little swimmer, rather small, but with plenty of pluck. She is knocking seconds of j her time every swim so she can be relied upon to swim some good races. Miss Sylvia Gottlieb, of Wellington, twice running has surprised the critics and taken back to Wellington the 100 yards title. Little, is ever heard of her, but she seems to have a happy knack of getting there first. However, it will require improved form on her part to stave off the challengers this year. Undoubtedly she is a fast girl and must be given a chance. Backstroke is on the improve in New Zealand and good entries indicate some close racing. ' In these events, too, Southland has some fine performers and, of course, chief among them is Miss Joyce Macdonald who will be racing as a senior for -the first time. On current form there does not . appear to be any girl in New Zealand capable of footing it with her unless Miss Grey can do so. How fast-Miss Macdonald can really go may be demonstrated here as all her latest records have been lone swims, a very difficult proposition from close racing competition. Using her record of 74 1-5 seconds made at Rotorua as a guide, she should really lower both her own senior records during the week. A beautiful stylist,—at the recent conference of coaches at Wellington, her arm action was taken as a model—Miss Macdonald should prove one of the attractions of the carnival. So far the only win in New Zealand senior championships for Southland is to the credit of Miss Nancy Basstian who brought home the 100 yards backstroke title from Auckland and it will be a great disappointment if the young Southlander does not add two more to the total

MISS MULVEY’S FORM . Miss Dinise Mulvey, the local senior champion, will be a competitor and her record performance of Wednesday evening was most gratifying. Although not expected to take first place she will take a great deal of beating if she is not to fill the position of runner-up. As Southland record-holder for 200 metres, Miss Mulvey is expected to swim a fine race over the distance on Saturday next. Miss Purdie, who has proved a very competent backstroker and Miss Rhoda Low, Canterbury, and sister to a former New Zealand record-holder in George Low, complete the entries for this section. Both these girls are swimming about the same times as Miss Mulvey and these events will be good fare indeed, a great contrast to some I races in the past. Last year, it will to remembered, Miss Leydon won this event unopposed in slow time. Peter Mathieson who recently swam 440 yards in 5 minutes 25 seconds can claim to be one of the world s foremost backstroke exponents; yet, strangely enough, his times over 100 yards have not been particularly good and although only an optimist would predict his defeat over the longer journey, he will need to show greater speed than he has lately to head off the small but select field opposing him in the sprint. He certainly has done fast, swims in the past over sprints and is credited with breaking 65 seconds more than once, but he has not been under 66sec for some considerable time and in the light of Berry’s recent swim here of 67 seconds, Mathieson is going to be pushed very hard. Cliff, from Christchurch, is regarded in his home city as a possible winner over both distances and indeed he must be strongly supported in view of recent excellent swims. If anybody has a chance of relieving Mathieson. of his distance crown it should be Cliff. Clilt will be remembered as being unfortunate enough to contract diphtheria on the eve of going to Sydney as a New Zealand representative. Arthur Thomas, Otago, was unlucky enough to miss his last turn at New Plymouth and many say that cost him the 100 yards title but there is no doubt that over the shorter distance he will be on hand at the, finish this year.

Colin Martin, Southland’s other swimmer, cannot be discounted but, in view of his recent loss to Berry, he is expected to show up better over the quarter mile than in the sprint. He holds the Southland record' over 400 metres and it is a good one too. As the least experienced swimmer in the race, he has the most to leant but the others will have to watch him closely as he has plenty of speed. Berry is a proved stayer, but is handicapped by a heavy body which floats him very low and his 67 seconds swim was a surprise even to himself. Lately he has recorded some very good training swims particularly over 220 yards. These men’s backstroke events have been responsible for some great contests in the past and some veterans may remember the duels between Len Moorhouse, of Canterbury, and Les Fairgtay the Auckland flyer. BREASTSTROKE EVENTS Records can be expected to go by the board in both men’s and women’s breaststroke events. Last year’s winner, J. W. Davies, of Taranaki, will be de-fending-his title. Already this season W. Dyson, the Otago swimmer has broken not only Davies’s own record but the 15-year-old 200 metres record, standing to the credit of the New Zealand Olympic representative Clarrie Heard, of Canterbury. Over 100 yards Eiyson has recently recorded 75 3-5 seconds which is good time but it may not be fast enough to head Len Smith, who has several times in the past swum the distance in under 74 seconds. Keith Shaw, who will be Southland’s only swimmer here, has not been extended over the distances as yet and what he can do is not known. However, he is very fit and should be a i thorn in the sides of the others His best I chance would appear to be in the 220 • yards where he must be reckoned a formidable adversary. But it will not pay the opposition to underestimate bis worth in the sprint as he can certainly hurry.

Horsfall, Canterbury, and Shanahan, South Canterbury, complete the field which appears to be the best yet produced at a New Zealand meeting. Southland will be well represented by Misses Lynch and Hannon in the

women’s section of the breaststroke but here Miss Winnie Dunn is the stumbling block. Going from record to record, it is hard to see anyone heading the Otago girl. However, with two opponents of the calibre of Miss Lynch and Miss Hannon it is no foregone conclusion that the races are won and. a sterling contest can be expected. Miss Lynch is expected to swim a fine race over both distances, as also is Miss Hannon and these three girls , appear to be in a class by themselves in New Zealand. The contests between them are eagerly awaited and. are perhaps more open than many think. INTERESTING RACE That most interesting race, the 500 yards flying squadron looks to be a win for Auckland with Southland A a

close second, and Canterbury third, but Auckland will need to be right on form to win as Southland has a fast team for its first string. The final night is always noted for the two invitation 50 yards scratch races in which the fastest women meet in one section and the fastest men in the other. These are particularly exciting races although only short dashes and are always eagerly awaited. It seems rash to attempt to pick the winner of either event the standard is so close. Completing the championship section is the water polo competition in which five teams are entered. Otago, present holders of the trophy, which is a handsome bronze polo ball mounted on a black base, is fielding two teams, as is Southland. Canterbury also has a good entry. Canterbury has not won the trophy since 1934 but it has an enviable record in New Zealand water polo and the present team is thought to be a very good combination. Otago is confident of its ability to hold the trophy and indeed both its teams are formidable, but there is a feeling of confidence in the Southland camp and both Southland teams are looking forward with eagerness to the meetings. It will not surprise many here to see Southland playing in the finals and indeed it would give the game a great boost if the local players were successful. Rounds of the polo will be played in the mornings in conjunction with the heats. Sunday sees the finish of the meeting with the three mile Annette Kellerman Cup race to be swum at Bluff. A good field of proved stayers have entered and Southland is represented by D. C. Berry. Last year’s winner, F. Clow, of Taranaki, is defending his title and A. V. Osmond, now representing Hawke’s Bay, will hold the interest of his old club mates in his venture for the cup. M. Robertson, West Coast, is a previous winner, and is a rugged swimmer who can always be

depended upon to stand cold water better than most. He must have a good chance. Excellent arrangements have been made to accommodate spectators at Bluff and the full course is easily followed so that the varying fortunes of the swimmers can be clearly seen. So far Auckland and Canterbury have provided five winners each, Wellington two and Hawke’s Bay, Otago Taranaki and Westland one each.