SWIMMING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 243, 14 October 1939, Page 5

SWIMMING

LEARNING TO SWIM WANGANUI CAMPAIGN INSTRUCTOR'S REPORT The following report was submitted lo the Wanganui Swimming Centre by Mr. F. W. Roydhouse, who had been employed by the centre on swimming instruction during the 1938-39 season, commencing on January 9 and concluding about the middle of April:— I have to report that, the campaign was very successful. The number ot certificates issued by me for swimming a width of the baths was 247. Though not as large as the number in the previous season, this may be considered very satisfactory in view of the fact that the campaign commenced at a later date than in the previous year. It has ;:een somewhat, disappointing that more adults do not. take advantage of the opportunity to learn to swim. The various baths used for instructional purposes were as follow: Hunterville, Waverley, Marton. Fordell, Durie Hili, Intermediate School, Aramobo School, Wanganui East, Castlecliff. St. Mary's Convent. Sacred Heart Convent and Technical College. The pupils of some twenty schools attended at these baths for instruction, including the following:—Marton. Waverley, Hunterville, Otairi, Rata Hi, Aramoho, Keith Street Infants, Opaku, Waverley Convent. Waitotara, St. Mary's Convent, St. John's Hill Fordell, Deniair, Matarawa, Durie Hill. Castlecliff, St. Vincent's Convent, Wanganui East. Westmere, Technical College, Holy Infancy, Aramoho. and others. In addition to the number of children who gained certificates many more obtained lhe rudiments of swimming, lost their water fear, and will I onb” need practice next season to make them competent swimmers. A ; good deal of instruction in the cor- i reel strokes was done, eliminating faults. Some 250 certificates for vari- ' ous distances were issued by me on I behalf of the educational officer for the centre. Mr. D. N. Jillett. The co-operation of headmasters and teachers was very gratifying, all appreciating the importance of children learning lo swim. A word ot I hanks is also due to Mr. G. Walker, of Waverley, who demoted a great deal ot his time and energy to assisting the campaign. The visit of Professor D. B. Anderson to various centres in lhe district was the means of arousing a good deal of enthusiasm, and swimming generally should be improved as a result of his comprehensive demonstrations. 1 ttould like to I hank the centre officials, who hate Heated me with every courtesy and hate given me every assistance in order to make the “Learn-to-Swim" campaign a success To the custodians and controllers of lhe respective baths a word of .anks is due for their co-operation, and the various swimming clubs are also worthy of their share of praise. Appended are some figures and details which will probably be ot some interest to the centre. The following table shows lhe various schools which make use of lhe baths in the Wanganui city area, lhe number ot children at lhe respective schools who can swim, and the number who have yet to learn. The figures include Standards 1 to 6 in lhe primary schools, save at Queens Park I and St. John's Hill, where Standard i 4 is the highest class. The majority lot non-swimmers in all schools are in | Standard 1 and had only recently I been promoted from the infant divisions: - Able to Nonswim swim’rs I N.Z. Friends 64 | St. Mary's Convent 62 27 '.Sacred Heart Convent 120 15 St. George's Prep’y .. 74 1 Girls’ College 390 Collegiate School .. . 310 ■ - Technical College 6311 II Intermediate School .'>os 49 Castlecliff School . 108 51 Gonville • 238 80 Tawhero - ’3 43 | Aramoho I‘4 50 > Wanganui East .... 370 65 Queen's Park 187 11 > , Durie Hill 47 12 ’ Fordell "1 20 Matarawa II 4 St. John's Hill .. 48 3ii | [ Totals 3276 5r9 ,