"LEARN-TO-SWIM" WEEK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 13, 16 January 1936, Page 6

"LEARN-TO-SWIM" WEEK

WANGANUI CAMPAIGN LOCAL CENTRE’S EFFORT CITIZENS’ CO-OPERATION. ‘* Jt is very gratifying to note the willingness of citizens to co-operate with the centre in ensuring the success of the projected “ Learn-to-swim Week,” remarked Air. C. R. Tilley, president of the "Wanganui Swimming Centre, when commenting on the forthcoming campaign yesterday afternoon. Air. Tilley stated that he had already been approached by a number of people, adults as well as children, who wer« desirous of taking advantage of the centre’s offer of free tuition. This, he maintained, was evidence of the need for such a “drive” as that which will be commenced on Monday next and will bo continued throughout the week. “We realise that we would not have mucii chance of success were it not for the hearty support and active co-opera-tion of the City Council and the various school committees,” said Air. Tilley. “In this respect we are indebted to the Intermediate School Committee for permitting us to have the use the bath during the holiday period. The City Council has granted us a fill of the bath, and this is already in, permitting the water to be ready at a temperature which should not cause learners any misgivings. Instructors have offered their services in numbers xvhich are indeed gratifying, and I am sure that all will be only too pleased to have their services availed of by the general public. Parents who desire that their children should he taught to swim under competent instructors cannot do better than arrange for them to come along to the Intermediate School baths. They may rest assured that within a week, provided that the children ne conscientious in their attention to the instructors, they will be competent swimmers.” The value of swimming in the building up of physique was stressed by Mr. Tilley, and he made a special plea for Wanganui to make the move which would assist in bringing before the responsible authorities the necessity for a national campaign on the lines of the ‘Learn-to-swim ” Week, “In a. country like New Zealand, where river, lake and sea provide so many opportunities for the swimmer, and so many traps for the non-swim-mer, the value of swimming for the child is of paramount importance am! is a vital necessity,” said Mr. Tilley. In comparison with swimming all other forms of athletics, in tbe opinion of Air. Tilley, were luxuries. One could engage in other sports without one’s life being endangered, but not so with swimming, if one had not mastered the art. Inquiries made throughout several Wanganui schools, it was pointed out, disclosed that an appallingly large proportion of the children could not swim, and even if they could swim they had not developed their ability to such an extent that they could swim 25 yards. The promoters of the “Learn-to-swim” Week” could not hope to have all children taught at once, but an earnest effort would, be made to ensure that Wanganui’s proportion of swimmers in the population would not suffer by comparison with other centres in New Zealand. Wanganui’s band of instructors will be under the charge of Mr. L. Bonnor, a keen supporter of swimming, who has himself taught a large number o£ adults and children as a labour of love. Air. Bonner has volunteered to be in attendance at the Intermediate School bath daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and he will be assisted by a band of competent instructors. With the co-operation of al! taking part, the effort should be an outstand ing success, and the number of swimmers in Wanganui, materially increased. Regular attendance at the sessions during the week is desirable, and the support and co-operation of all firms an<’. factories, employees, schol teachers, an 1 pupils is sought. Special provision will be made for business employees during a lunch-hour session from 12 to 2, and ladies will also be specially catered for at a session during the afternoon. At other baths in the city opportunity will also be provided for non-swim-mers to obtain instruction. At the Gonville and St. George’s Gate baths the hours available will be from 9.30 to 10.30 a.m., and from 5.45 to 7.15 p.m. These hours may be varied slightly as circumstances demand. At Wanganui East children will receive instruction from 9 to 10 a.m., and adults from 4.45 to 6 p.m. The Aramoho School bath will be available from 5.45 to 7 p.m. daily except on Saturday. With a view to ensuring the smooth functioning of all phases ot the instructors’ duties, it is desired that all instructors gather at the Intermediate School bath on Saturday afternoon, when demonstrations in the teaching of various strokes will bo given.