AUSTRALIANS TRAINING

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1932, Page 10

AUSTRALIANS TRAINING

TRYING. JAPANESE STROKES. Victorian swimmers are greatly interested in the possibilities of the Japanese stroke in swimming, which is being introduced into the State by F. Beaurepaire, who at the Olympiad saw the Japanese stars in action. Beaurepaire studied the stroke closely, but though he quite understood its principles, he is not yet satisfied that he can put it into perfect practice. In the water he has demonstrated to advantage, however, that it is a speedier and more effective stroke than the one at present used by Australians. Noel Ryan also studied the stroke closely, and he told many instructive things about it on his return. Daily at the Melbourne City ! Baths Beaurepaire has been demonstrating the stroke to George Morris, Jack Parker, Ken Tanner and others, says the Sporting Globe. Morris and Parker have picked it up quickly, but Tanner will not attempt to copy it until after the Victorian 220 yards championship on December 17. Even then he is not certain whether he will copy it, as he does not want to change his style, unless he is satisfied that, the new one will be to his advantage. Prank Beaurepaire took some slow motion pictures of the Japanese in action. At his home in Kew he will lecture, and show the pictures to officials and leading swimmers..

The Japanese stroke has a quick arm recovery. The two hands are in the water at the one time. The leg movement is isolated from the arms, and the legs work independently at a good driving kick. The body keeps on an even keel, and there is no rolling. The weight of the body helps the arm to pull through the water,” states Beaurepaire. “The shoulder movement is free and

easy. There is great synchronisation of movement. The stroke haS come to stay, and will be. copied in every part of the world.”

Noel Ryan describes the arm movement as follows: “The arms, instead of dipping down quickly to gain instant purchase power, should plane down from the surface of the water to a depth Of about eight incites before continuing the drive right through to completion at the thighs. ■ , . “This glide is, I think, a really important development in their strike. The quick recovery through the air enables them to be gliding on the forward arm while the backward arm is giving .its final push forward—back arm being in the water for a fraction of a second.”