IN BATHS AND SURF

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1932, Page 9

IN BATHS AND SURF

IDLENESS OF CONTROVERSY

SURF ASSOCIATION DISCUSSION.

DIFFICULTY OF POLO DRAW.

(By

“Beltman.”)

The first definite meeting of the Surf Association has been held and the organisation, with its constitution agreed upon, has taken up its position as the guiding force in surf life-saving. It is not too much to predict that the result will be increased efficiency. Adopting Constitution.

The main business at the meeting was the adoption of the constitution, and the Wellington rules were decided on almost without alteration. There, were various points affected by local conditions and procedure that required alteration, and this was satisfactorily accomplished. One point that seemed to cause some delegates a lot of trouble was that they did not seem to realise that nothing was laid down arbitrarily by the New Zealand executive —branches would have opportunities to discuss, freely every question that could possibly be raised at the annual meeting. What was required was not protests but remits. Long ‘Discussions.

At times the meeting became rather wordy and worried without apparent cause. The venue of the .association’s meetings was a fruitful subject, Opunake contending that important meetings should be held in a central town so that Patea could be given a chance to attend. It was decided to consider the suggestion, although headquarters were naturally at New Plymouth. Grading of Surfers.

There was much discussion about the grading of A and B swimmers. It was suggested that B grade teams should he allowed ah A grade captain and that if a B grade team was short of men and A grade members were available those could be used. It appears to “Beltman” that the whole object of grading is to give B grade players opportunity and that grading rules should be made strict. It is not fair to combinations that are strictly B grade to allow a competing team to fill vacancies with better men. Teams that are short ougat rather, to fill up with what might be termed C grade players. The matter was left to the discretion of the association.

Board of Judges.

The proposed board of judges was discussed for a long time, the subject of argument being the qualification of judges. Eventually it was decided to make the possession of a surf medallion the qualification for future election to the board. The fact that many old and tried judges at present officiating satisfactorily did not hold medallions was the subject of argument, but they were considered well qualified without possessing the medallion. Future appointees, however, will be required to hold medallions, and that decision met with unanimous approval. Stir in Polo Circles.

The meeting of delegates to discuss the control of polo for tne year produced difference of opinion that was almost heated at times. In spite of suggestions made io • keep northern clubs entirely separate from the three southern clubs, Hawera, Stratford and Inglewood, the meeting ended with a decision having been made to place one New Plymouth team in the southern division. The mam drawbacks to that were the incidence of all the expense of extra travelling on one New Plymouth team and a lack of variety in the teams in each section. Another method that would have soread the expense and the interest would have been to have placed northern and southern teams in each division. The position has been ((settled, however, by the Now Plymouth club deciding to allow the southern clubs to arrange their own draw and placing the five New Plymouth teams in one division. It was not considered fair to the one New Plymouth team that would be required to travel. In this case, as in the surf-world, it is distant clubs’ misfortune that they are so far away from the main centre. No Bias in Control.

Swimmers in Taranaki can rest assured that the controlling bodies in life-saving, swimming, surf work and polo have the support of the Taranaki' clubs almost without exception, and intend to do what is considered best for the majority. “Beltman” suggests that the most sensible thing would be for clubs to consider Taranaki swimming as a whole. If there are any not prepared to do that tfiey will inevitably find the other clubs will act without consideration of the dissatisfied body. Jobson Swimming Well.

A 33 1-3 yards sprint by I. Jobson (Hawera) at a recent club night, at Ne.w. Plymouth is worthy of record. A relay had been arranged and Hawera and New, Plymouth were making a great race. G. Beaven, who has been winning New Plymouth ■ club sprint events from the Is and scratch marks, had two seconds’ start on Jobson for the last length, but the Hawera boy with a great burst of speed passed Beaven near the end and scored a decisive win. Forthcoming Events. To-night: Eltham carnival. December 26: East End (N.P.) carnival. January 5: Stratford carnival (half-mile championship). January 9: Hawera carnival (tentative). January 12: Inglewood carnival; January 19: , Waitara carnival (quartermile championship). January 21: Fitzroy (N.P.) carnival (one January 22: Weston Cup surf competition at Opunake. mile championship). , January 25: Taranaki championships at New Plymouth. January 28: Opunake carnival. January 29: West Coast surf championships at Wanganui. February 4: New Plymouth carnival. February 6-10 (inclusive): Taranaki leam-to-swim week. February 11: Okato carnival. February 18: Afternoon: Flannagan Cup. Evening: New Plymouth Ladies’ LifeSaving and Y.W.C.A. Swimming Club’s carnival. February 25: Combined clubs’ carnival at New Plymouth (tentative).