WITH THE SWIMMERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 279, 25 November 1936, Page 4

WITH THE SWIMMERS

CARNIVAL PREPARATIONS

The announcement of the draw for the Wanganui Centre’s water polo championships and the preparations being made for the “Learn-to-swim'’ Wee]; indicate that activities are now well in hand for the 1936-37 season.

The carnival to be bold by the Gon- , ville Swimming Club on Thursday, i December 10, marks lhe initial car- ! nival of the season in Wanganui. The ! prospects are considered to be good, { and all that is required, apparently is line weather. It. frequently happens that an unfortunate break in the weather has spelt disaster for December carnivals, but the Gonviile ' Club generally comes up smiling in' spite of such reverses. * 4- | Congratulations must be extended' to the Wanganui East Club on the success of its opening splash last Sat- ■ urday. The initiative displayed by the : committee in securing the co-opera-1 lion and active support of several 1 public men is to be commended. It’s I just what is wanted for swimming. Not many clubs can boast of having, two members of Parliament and the Mayor at the opening splash, in addition to the president of the centre. I And when the “splash" itself is made! by the president of the club and the M.P. for the district the satisfaction! of the committee should be in pro-.' portion to lhe satisfaction of the gen-1 oral public. Wanganui East thorough-! iy enjoyed it all. 4Reference to carnivals which are being promoted enables one to draw attention to the remarks of the centre presidem regarding the programmes for these carnivals. All clubs must send in to the centre copies j of the proposed programmes and a list of the officials appointed, as these! must be approved by the programme committee. The allocation of Dr. Kenrick Christie’s trophy to the B grade polo championship competition by the Wanganui Centre was not altogether unanimously approved, though his generous action in providing a trophy as an encouragement to swimming must bo applauded. However, the success which attended the B grade championship polo competition last season suggests that, like many other swimming events, this competition might have got along just as well without a trophy. The action of the Wanganui Centre in deciding to carry on with its plan to hold a “learn-to-swim” week in December, commencing next Saturday i week, certainly appears justified, as I lhe organisation was so far advanced that nothing would have been gained by waiting till the national week in February. Wanganui will co-operate just as heartily with the National Council next February, and will also have the advantage of having gained a good deal of invaluable experience through conducting the December effort. 4- 4 4During the past week a voluntary instructor at one of the local baths has taught at least, two beginners, and as a result there will bo at least two bathers during the summer months who will have enough experience—and common sense, it's to be hoped—to get out of trouble if bathing anywhere near a danger spot. Valuable as a “Jearn-to-swim” campaign undoubtedly is. instruction should be carried on all the season. Another swimming club has an-1 nounced its intention of joining up with the Wanganui Centro, the Huntcrvillc Club having sent in its application for affiliation. This will I

strengthen the centre considerably, for it is in the country districts, just as much as in the city, that the work of the administrators of swimming lies. It would be of considerable value to swimming if a visit of the centre officials were paid to the country centres like Marton, Hunterville, Mangaweka, Taihape, Ohakune and Raetihi. Perhaps a week-end tour* could also bo arranged, giving a fillip to swimming in the Wanganui Centre. If satisfactory arrangements can he made in the interim, a large contingent of Wanganui swimmers will pay a visit to New Plymouth for the senior national championships in February. Several years ago a party of upwards of 100 spent a most en-jo’-able week-end at New Plymouth, and proved of material assistance in making a Saturday night carnival one of the most successful ever held at that centre. Perhaps if a visit of New Plymouth swimmers could be arranged for an appearance in Wanganui, the local support could he assured for the Taranaki Centre’s big gathering. 4 4 4 The visits of overseas swimmers are generally held to be of great value to swimming, but judging by Wanganui’s experience in the past full advantage of such tours is not always taken. In more directions than one the visitors’ appearance can he ex- 1 ploited for the benefit of swimming and swimmers. Apparently South Island clubs are intent on reaping some good results from the tour of the two Australian champions, W. Fleming and A. O’Connor, together with Mr Hellmrich (manager). In an appearance at Oamaru. according to the Otago Daily Times, the exhibitions given by the Australians, Fleming’s easy and powerful swimming and O'Connor’s magnificent diving were a revelation to all who saw them. In the morning the visiting Australian swimmers gave a demonstration and also instruction to the pupils of the North and South Primary Schools, and St. Patrick's School at thp municipal baths. Mr Dudley Hellmrich (manager), who is recognised as one of Australia's foremost authorities on swimming, spoke to the teachers on various aspects of coaching, and made one or two suggestions for improvement at the baths, one being the installation of a loud speaker by the swimming club, which would enable all the spectators to hear instructions or comments at carnivals. Mr Hellmrich said the members of the team wished to help as much as possible in encouraging swimming and training in the various centres they visited while in Now Zealand. Bill Fleming, lhe 110 yards and 220 yards champion of Australia and champion of Queensland, did the 440 yards in easy style, and then proceeded 1o show cored starting and turning methods for long distance and sprint swims, and demonstrated his particularly graceful and efficient barkstroke. The i champion's style and lhe ease with ■ which be forged through the water were indeed impressive. A. O’Connor, high and low' board diving champion of New South Wales, gave a splendid exhibition of fancy diving and somersaluts, and in conclusion the visitors gave an instructive demonstration of the art of leaching lo swim. In the afternoon they visited the Waitaki Girls’ and Boys’ High Schools, where they gave similar demonstrations in the school baths, and their efforts were greatly appreciated by both teachers and pupils.