SWIMMING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16307, 23 December 1920, Page 3

SWIMMING.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

(By “ NATATORY)

oo' r H ast ’ CihHctchurcli Club held a n’ . j% as Christmas handicap at ths 'lepia Baths on Aloud,av evening. The rrw;o comprised four Keats and there were some very close finishes. The winner turned up in Floyd, one of the back markers, F. Collins being second.

'Swimmers will regret to hear that C. Atkinson is still laid up, It looks 8H though the Canterbury team will be', without the services of tins fine swimmer at Dunedin in February. Ho JS stu! on crutches, hut is putting in a ,i °f , hm ® '-caching K. Batchelor ailn A. Dalton, who are both swimming very well at present. Dalton is tnmiing .ws.il lor 100 yds and there is a possibility that,he may cause another surprise at tins season’s championamps.

‘'The swimming to he held at the urtteiton regatta, on New Year’s Day bhould provide, some interesting sport, ns ■'there are races for all ‘'hisses of swimmers, first and second class intercluh races being included in the programme. Tim 100 yds provincial championship is sure to provide a good race. Atkinson being unable to start, the race mil he very open, and it would be very difficult to find 1 a prospective winner at present. Probably ‘ so .l l J fi , °f tj l6 stood tnidgeon swim peer's will he '• in the joke.” Tlio dock will suit swimmers like Hill, whereas others !l k ? pbeeley and Sutherland will find it harder than swimming in the Tepid Baths, where they have «' line to swim to. ( Inc swim is a straight one, there being no turns, which mav also upset some of them.

Ttir* Sydenham Switriming Club held uie first race of tbc season, ». oOvds handicap, at, their baths on Tuesday evening. There were two dead heats, n’mdi says ouito a lot for the handicapping. Tho final resulted in a dead between It. Stackhouse and ,T Howison. Stackhouse is a youth who may do well if he keeps on with the .? to see Jack Howison filling first place, a a lie is one of the isw old club members who are taking a big interest in tho club's welfare “

The surf at New Brighton is attracting a good number of swimmers now. arid it is expected that the heacli will r Ten; crowded during the holiday* snon d the weather continue fine. ft. Mould he well ior swimmers who are Hot experts to bear in mind the tact, that a he a cli patTO’l is not now tjTovirlcd or week days. Whilst there have be-n very few accidents at Brighton lately it is well to bear in mind the fact that there is always a current off the shore.

Mi' Les Duff, the honorary secretary of

f tho NW. South bales’ Amateur Scrim* ming Association,; lias |ieeri advised by > tho Tasmanian and Victorian Associa- ; tions that the ; Australian- champion* ships will be held ns follow ;-At Hohart, from February 9 to 14; at Mel. bourne, from February -Ip. to 26,

Life suviug competitions in the surf commenced during the week-end. On Saturday the Alillar ,Oup was won by jVo. 3 team of-tho'New Brighton Club. Ibis is the junior team of the club, ■md it says much for the enthusiasm of up members and the good work of tli© B. S. Knox, that the team should win the competition. The competition for the Kesteveii Cup was held at tho -opening of the Taylor’s Mistake Club’s season on Sunday, when •North Beach won easily, chiefly on account of being in better training. Both the other teams, Taylor’s Mistake and sunnier, lacked training. The surf on both days was very heavy, setting a severe task for tho competitors in both events. Taylor’s Mistake nud Sumner teams turned out without some of their old members, but it is boned*to. see there, taking part in competitions later in tho year,

I reparations tor tlte Forth Beach Laia, which will bo held on Boxing JJay are becoming noticeable on The beach now. A uqw fence has been erected where tho tram turns to run along the beach to Few Brighton, 'and there are various other indications that cue gala is coming off soon. IF is expected to he tho biggest event .yet held at JS T orth Beach.