SWIMMING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 279, 25 November 1931, Page 4

SWIMMING

' By “Freestyle." ————J

Judging by tho attendances at all the Wanganui baths during recent weeks, tho season is going to be one of tho busiest for many years, and it behoves tho local centre to “cash in” on tho enthusiasm of swimmers. Just whether they will have the best chance of doing that remains to be seen, for tho annual meeting has not yet teen held. As a matter of fact, it is understood that tho annual meeting will not bo held until the end of next week, and half the season will bo over before the various committes of the centre commence to function. Even if no matters wore calling for immediate attention, delegates from tho various clubs should have gathered together before this Into date. Otherwise, how can progress bo made? The question of finance is one which is sure to cause the new centre a considerable amount of concern, especially as the year will be started with a well-grown “monkey” in the shape of a legacy from the national championships. Careful handling of income, together with prudent expenditure, would appear to be necessary for some time to come, and it would bo as surprising as it would be pleasing to find tho centre ablo to balance tho budget at tho conclusion of the season. Unless a carnival can be arranged for the centre funds before the first week in February there will not be a groat deal of revenue forthcoming.

“Club nights” are commencing to show increased popularity, and it may be antcipated that before the month is out the attendance at these miniature carnivals will be increased. The warmth of the water cannot be gainsaid, but the atmosphere is still a bit. chilly during tho evenings, and that detracts considerably from the enjoyment of competitors. It is not so bad for those who have only a couple of events or heats in which to swim, but if the programme requires ono to wait the best part of an hour for a final, there are apt to be a few complaints. The fact that conditions make for open-air swimming must be taken into consideration, but a factor of which more use could have been made is daylight saving. Had the full hour been available, as was originally intended, a “club night” could .»ave been arranged for the interval between business hours and nightfall.

With centre finances in their present ►attenuated condition, it goes almost without saying that any Wanganui representatives for the national championships will have to pay tho greater portion of their own expenses. The senior titles will bo decided at Timaru. while tho juniors’ gathering place will bo at the Riddiford Baths at Lower Hutt. A Wellington writer states that, these hatha aro being extensively patronised, and the water is at a temperature that entices oven the most timid. In preparation for tho expected carnivals that will ba held at these fine baths, improvements aro being effected, especiallv in regard to the lighting, so that, by the time the national junior and intermediate championships come up for decision in January everything will be in tip-top order.

Tbe first of the season’s carnivals will he held next week by the Gonville Hub, the carnival being sot down for Thursday night, which will not clash with the election date. A very generous donation has been made by the Gonville Club for the fund for the Y.M.C.A. Christmas camp for boys. Tickets for admission to the carnival have been donated to the Y.M.C.A. and these are reported to be finding a ready sale, so that a very acceptable sum should be realised as a result of the effort.

Tho attendance at tho club night held by the Gonville Club last Thursday promises well for the success of the season. The races were keenly contested and the reappearance of N. Dowsctt was noted with interest in view of the hope that he will regain the national 100 yards title next February. Indications are that it will take Dowsctt some time to get into his beat form.

For the purpose of club competitions and also for the carnival next week, members of the Gonville Club have been divided into three sections. A, B, and C. Tho A section consists of those who can do 19sec. for 33 1-3 yards; B sections comprises the over I9sec. and under 23sec. division; and C section includes all over 23scc.

Five started in the A section events last Thursday, those competing in addition to Dowsett being the Gowan brothers and W. Ryland and “Spike” Lowe. B section drew the largest number of competitors and resulted in a close finish, while C section, though it attracted only a small field, provided a good race. Tho diving took the spectators’ eye most, though the majority of the contestants were out for fun, not for style. Tho club night’s activities were concluded with fun with the polo ball.

Mention of the polo ball recalls the suggested introduction of a novelty that will bring straight-shooting water polo players to the fore. A lifebuoy is suspended from a rafter to about three feet from the water, the competitors to be about ICyds. from the buoy and endeavour to throw a water nolo ball through it. Tho competitor® have two throws each, a “bullseye” counting five points and the buoy born g hit but not scoring a “bulla-eye,*’ three points. This competition is much more difficult than it seems when described.

It is pleasing to find Don Chisholm swimming a distance. With long, slow work he should greatly improve in style and staying power. Too many swimmers indulge in short sprints only, whereas their style and pace would show great improvement if they would concentrate on swimming a distance every time they went in for a swim. Miss E. Anderson was an example in this respect, but this versatile swimmer is an absentee this season, being in Christchurch now. A young breaststroke swimmer who is showing good style over several lengths is B. McCashin. who should improve sufficiently to have a chance at one of tho championships. Mr. C. D. Paterson was re-elected unopposed to the position of president for the nineteenth consecutive year at the annual meeting of the Surf and LifeSaving Association of Australia last month.