SWIMMING.

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 20, 23 January 1915, Page 11

SWIMMING.

The first carnival under the control of the Auckland Centre of the N.Z.A.S.A. in the tepid bath, Hobson Street, will be held on. January 27th. The programme is an. interesting one, and comprises Ladies' Test 100 yards, 100 yards Dual Relay, 133 yards House Relay, 33 yards Maiden, 50 and 100 yards Open, and Water Polo Match. The meeting is being held 1 for the purpose of raising funds to send the representatives to the championships. A big loss is threatened in our representatives by the absence of C. Sinton, who is going into camp at Trentham. He is swimming very well at present, and intends making an endeavour to. get the necessary leave to proceed to Napier. If .Sinton should be absent Auckland's prospects of retaining the Yaldhurst Shield are not very bright, but with his inclusion, and assisted by Stranger, Enwright, and Baker, every hope can be entertained of this trophy remaining in the North another twelve months. The centre to cause the Aucklanders most trouble should be Ohristchurch. Although the water has not been favourable for swimming this season, now that the tepid bath is available the opportunity should be accepted of putting a polo team into training, in view of the championship meeting. It is many years ago (if memory serves correctly about 1903-04 season, in the days of the Northern Swimming _ Club) that Auckland had the distinction of annexing the Water Polo Championship of the Dominion. The recent improved dressing shed accommodation at Milford Beach now attracts large numbers of swimmers to that beach, where a dip in the open sea is so greatly appreciated. Eden Swimming Club held a carnival <m> Wednesday last in aid of the Belgian Fundi. The heavy downpour of rain spoiled what would have otherwise been a good carnival. As it was, it is expected that about £2 profit will be shown when the complete return of tickets is made up. Some good racing wa9 witnessed. The 50 yards Novice went to A. H. Blennerhassett, the 50 yards Club to R. Postles, the 100 yards InteT-club and 220 yards A.S.C. Test to C. Sinton. These proved good finishes. In the former J ; Mitchell was a close second, while in the latter J. Enwright, after leading for most of the way, suffered defeat by about half a yard. The Back Race proved that R. Curtis was a dark horse, winning easily. The Diving Co_nj>etition Was the keenest contest witnessed 1 in Auckland for some time, the judge having difficulty in separating the divers. W. Moore was the winner. The cliub intends holding another carnival shortly. The result of the defeat of Duke Kahauomoku by the Manly lad T. Adrian in the 440 yards Championship at the New South Wales carnival has aroused keen interest locally, and the views of Cecil Healy on the Hawaiian in a distance event will prove interesting,

Some of those disappointed with the Duke's performance attempted to excuse his defeat on the score of his being untrained. Such a claim does an injustice to the Manly lad. It filches from him much of the rewards of his victory. It also amounts to an indictment against the Duke and his manager. He had ample time at his disposal to get thoroughly attuned. He certainly did not prepare himself according to orthodox rules. But he was fully aware of his responsibilities and the obligation he was under to the Association to produce his very best form. We have, therefore, only to take it for granted that the method he pursued wa6 the one he had found! by past experience gave him the most satisfactory results. No; in _my opinion the Duke's downfall is to be accounted) for in another way. I attribute both his and Cunha's inability to keep_ going speedily for any length of time to the exhausting nature of their kick. I believe the continuous movement is the most effective over a sprint course. But although it gives a gliding motion, which is very takinig to the eye, there is, as a matter of fact, nothing restful about it; and I am convinced it is unsuited for medium or long distances. With it there is no conservation of energy, but an unceasing strain on the muscular system, for no corresponding compensation. It has been alleged that the Hawaiians' kick is their chief source of propulsion. I most decidedly do not agree with this assertion. I think very probably they derive more direct assistance than we do from the mode we have of employing our legs, but I have no doubt it is entirely subsidiary to that of the arms and body combined. I still feel certain the principal function of the kick in crawl strokes is to enable a leverage to be obtained and to maintain the body in a horizontal position. In the case of a swimmer who has good flotation, one thrash with the instep to every arm stroke is all that is necessary im salt water to attain this; consequently I consider that to keep the limbs moving without intermission is an absolute wastage of exertion. With our regulated movement the muscles have an opportunity to recuperate vitality after each positive action, Which they do. not have when thejy are incessantly on the move as in the Hawaiian style. It cannot be denied the Duke is an exceptionally powerful man physically ; moreover, he is a swimmer born and bred; and, seeing that his last ounce of stamina was used up in a moderately fast swim over 440 yards, to my way of thinking there was obviously some agency making an extravagant demand on his strength—to wit, the much-vaunted kick. That Cunha, who accompanies the Duke, is a sprinter of more than ordinary merit, is still further borne out by his swim in the 110 yards handicap, when he lowered Barry's Australian record by 1 1-5 seconds. The task set by the handicapper was too unreasonable, for Cunha, in record time could only gain fourth place. A circumstance which makes the swim more meritorious was the fact of Cunha having collided with another competitor at a critical stage, that is to say, iust as he was about to commence his final dash for the winning post.