SWIMMING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 291, 9 December 1939, Page 4

SWIMMING

“LEARN-TO-SWIM” Successful Campaign Reviewed NEARLY 30,000 TAUGHT ... . NATIONAL. EFFORT , During the short course of the •‘Learn to Swim” campaign early this year, a total of 28,478 non-swimmers were taught to swim at a cost of approximately Is 5d per head. Of the sum of £3OOO provided by the Government, £lOOO was handed back at the end of the campaign. This is a brief summary of the work accomplished by the National Committee of Swimming and Life-saving, a body on which are equally represented the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, the Royal Life-saving Society and the New Zealand Surf Life-saving Association. A printed report of 40 pages has been prepared by Mr. N. A. Ingram, secretary of the committee, setting out what must be one of the most remarkable services ever performed in the Dominion by amateur bodies. Following upon the broad details prepared by a conference in November, 1938, and subsequently approved by the Hon. W. E. Barry, Minister of Internal Affairs, the National Committee immediately sei. up the organisation of the campaign. Its outline and objects were communicated to all district committees. A conference of leading swimming coaches met in Wellington and evolved a very efficient and simple method of tuition

for universal use, after which the coaches visited all districts to instruct the volunteer coaches who were to carry the burden of tuition. A tour of the Dominion by leading lady swimmers was arranged, and an instructional film prepared. Illustrated pamphlets and posters were designed and distributed. The district committees in all cases furthered the complete organisation in their own districts. voluntary Coaches Approximately 1700 swimmers who volunteered as honorary coaches had their services accepted. The number was adequate, with the exception of one district. Six coaches took part in the tour of instruction, and their work in teaching the honorary instructors was of great value. The school teachers rendered enthusiastic and invaluable help, and taught the bulk of the children to swim. The following is a detailed list of the numbers taught to swim during the campaign in the various districts: ChilDistrict. Adults. Dren. Total. Auckland .. 349 6552 6901 South Auckland . - 4423 4423 Gisborne 22 344 366 Napier - - 200 Taranaki 1205 1205 Wanganui - - - 605 Palmerston North 27 1114 1141 Wellington . 30 1170 1200 Blenheim ......... 3 203 206 Nelson . . . 10 400 4lf) Westport ... -- 365 365 Greymouth Canterbury 1306 4856 616'3 Ashburton - 40 550 590 Timaru 60 980 1040' Oamaru 15 233 248 Otago 257 2103 2360' Southland 624 Totals 2119 25,122 28,478 As one of the main objectives of the campaign was the teaching of children, the fact that 2119 adults were taught to swim is considered very satisfactory. Experience has shown that on an average ten children can be taught in the time taken to instruct one adult. Weather conditions were distinctly unfavourable, and d'irectly affected the number of adults attending the baths. It was found extremely difficult to persuade adults to go to cold-water baths, even when weather conditions were favourable. Teaching the. Adult The greatest difficulty met with was the diffidence of the average adult in admitting inability to swim. This can only be overcome by intensive publicity. This aspect of the campaign was disappointing to those who conducted it. Actually 1912 ,adults were taught in centres where tepid baths were available, and only 207 in those centres with cold-water baths. No stronger argument for the necessity of tepid baths can, in the opinion of the committee, be advanced. “The greatest obstacle to the campaign was the lack of facilities, as

represented by swimming pools," states the report. "In practically all country districts there was no pool available ,and even in cities facilities were meagre. Instruction, therefore, had to be given wherever possible al beaches and in rivers, creeks and water-holes. "Many such places were dangerous to learners ,and on account of various unfavourable conditions, such as coldness of the water, teaching and learning were almost impossible. It was again proved that swimming can be taught quickly, pleasantly and efficiently only in swimming pools, particularly in tepid pools. “The most glaring instance of the disadvantages experienced through the lack of a modern tepid swimming pool was provided by Wellington City. So cold was the water in the pools used for the campaign that school teachers and instructors would not. permit pupils to go into the water at various periods. The deficiency in Wellington, it is emphasised, was only one of many instances of a situation endangering the lives of thousands of New Zealanders.” Work in Schools Jhe reporl dealt with publicity through the Press and by radio. The final result indicated that 90 per cent, ol the learners were school pupils, and the report paid a tribute to the Education Department and particularly to ils teaching staff for the good work done. Large numbers of pupils were taught to support themselves in the water, but failed to complete the minimum distance required for a campaign proficiency certificate. These will have no difficulty in becoming proficient early in the season. The cost of the campaign, approximately £2OOO, was made up as follows:—lnstructional pamphlets, £244; films, £316; coaching. £726; publicity and administration, £714. The committee makes three recommendations to the Minister which it considers essential for the improvement of the knowledge of swimming throughout the Dominion. The first suggests that the Government should appoint a competent instructor for each of the main centres to give instruction to school teachers in the approved methods of teaching swimming and life-saving. It also suggests that the Minister should draw the attention of the local authorities controlling boroughs and cities of ten thousand population and over to the urgent necessity of the provision of adequate tepid-bath facilities. In order to provide schools with adequate swimming instructional facilities, the Minister is recommended to ask the Minister of Education to investigate the Cornwell Pool (Auckland) with a view to installing such pools in every school. It is not desirable that elaborate pools should be provided, but an urgent necessity exists for pools sufficient for instruction purposes.