SWIMMING MATCHES.

Waipawa Mail, Volume I, Issue 20, 20 November 1878, Page 3

SWIMMING MATCHES.

(to the editor of the waipawa mail.) Sib, —Should you deem these few remarks of mine worthy of a BmaJl apace in vour very valuable and Useful journal, I shall feel much obliged by your inserting them. As an old resident in Waipawa, it has often struck me, and particularly at this season of the year when the weather is bo dry and warm, that there has not been an attempt made to get up a good swimming match. There is at present a fine slace5 lace in the Waipawa River, near to the laori settlement, where the water is a nice swimming depth, and a good bottom for divers, and a good long swim could be marked out. It is my belief that if a good match was got up, and suitable prizes offered for men and boys, it would be the means of teaching and encouraging many of our boys and youths to leum the useful art of swimming; and in a country like this what more useful lesson can they learn, and what more beneficial to health than a good cold water bath early in the morning? I think that if one or two gentlemen (good swimmers) would take the matter in wc should soon see many of the Waipawa youths and boys take an interest in a good swim, not a dabble, as they at present seern to enjoy under the bridge, anti within an indecent proximity to the township. In the old country there were generally three or four good prizes given, viz., for men, long swimming race, diving for distance, tricks or antics, and duck hunt; the same for boys and youths. Apologising for taking up bo much of your valuable space, I am, &c. y DOLPHIN.