SWIMMING.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19125, 9 December 1933, Page 18 (Supplement)

SWIMMING.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. CBy “Trudgeon.”) COMING EVENTS. December il—Matamata Club’s Carnival at Matamata (Australian Lady Swimmers present.) Deoember 13 —Rotorua Club’s Carnival at Rotorua (Australian Lady Swimmers present). Deoember 16—Y.M.C.A. Club’s carnival at Hamilton. TENTATIVE DATEB. January 18 —Old Boys’ and Old Girls’ Clubs’ carnival at Hamilton. February 15 —Y.M.C.A. Club’s carnival at Hamilton. February 24 —Old Boys’ and Old Girls’ Club’s carnival at Hamilton. A CHAMPION’S LIFE. JOHNNY WEISMULLER’S RECORD. “THE HUMAN HYDROPLANE.” Until 'his retirement from competitive swimming in January, 1929, at the age of 25, Johriny -Weismuller had never lost a free-style championship swimming race, an unparalleled record. The story of .his rise to fame and his brilliant career is fascinating, recalling great battles of the Olympic swimming pools, when Weismuller, the ‘‘human hydroplane” swept to victory' ahead of Arne Borg, Takaahl the bearded Jap, Alberto Zorilla.of Argentina, Barany of Hungary, and Andrew Charlton of Australia. ' Wedsmuller’s greatest performance ■’was to swim the 100 yards dash in 49 4-5 seconds, which compares with running the 100 yards dash in nine seconds—something that has never , been done'. He broke 75 world records In his time, and his trophies and medals would make a goldbuyer’s mouth water -How was it done? The. secret lay first, as revealed above, in his physical gifts. But thousands of others have similar physique but do not swim with Weismuller’s pace. The fact is that he is an example of scientific study of style in the water, and the perfection attainable by putting carefully planned theories into practice. Weismuller was born in Winbar, Pennsylvania, but. spent all his youth in Chicago. He learned to swim with a pair of water-wings in a shallow lagzoo n on the shores of Lake Michigan, and 7 by the time he was 13 he was winning schoolboy races. In October, 192 0. lie was introduced to Barchrach, coach of the swimming team of the Illinois Athletic Club, who had certain theories about arm-stroke and leg-beat, breathing and relaxation. He believed that it was possible to relax in the water and yet keep on swimming at a good speed. For months he drilled the gospel of relaxation into Weismuller, and for months also lie patiently worked on Ills arm action while doing nothing whatever about the legs. "Finally, Bachrac-h started me on the leg stroke," says Weismuller. "He told me to flutter the legs up and down, counting six beats of the logs with.each revolution of the arms." It was not until August of 1921 that Weismuller "arrived," winning the National A.A.U. championships over 50 and 100 yards in time within split second! of the world’s record figures. The following month ho established a new record for the 150 yards and also won the Amerloan 220 yards ohamplonship at Indianapolis, sensationally defeating Ludy Langar, of Hawaii, and the famous Canadian, Norman Ross. At one stage of his career Weismuller was ordered by medical men to give up swimming on account of dilatation of the heart, but it was evidently a false alarm as within six weehs he was again setting up records and In 1926 branched out as a distance as well as sprint swimmer, capturing further world's records from the three miles down.

FROM TRUDGEON’B NOTEBOOK. Visitors. It Is doubtful If there Will he a male •overseas star In Australia this season. Whltlora Progress. Little Is heard, but undoubtedly a great deal ds taking place dn Whltlora circles. The club possesses sound, and in many cases proved, material and with steady practice and coachins should be to the fore. Carnival for Hamilton. The initial carnival to be held In Hamilton this season will be staged in the Municipal Baths on December 16. Some special features in diving are being arranged in addition to the handioap events. Old Girls’ Form. While In the men's scotion not even a surmise may be given as to club prospects, in the ladies’ division it looks as though Old Girls’ will bo well to the fore. With Misses Hath. and Lily Murtagh to shine in the dives and a number dn the sprints Old Girls’ should be heard of a great deal. Miss Webster’s Misfortune. It is a regrettable feature that 'Miss Judith Webster’s Injuries will debar her from competing against Miss Claire Dennis, Australia’s Olymplo breaststroke champion. It was confidently anticipated that she would extend the visitor over the 100 yards and it must have been particularly galling to her to havo been incapacitated at such a time. However, as it Is not thought that her leg injury is serious she will no doubt be taking part again In the near future. New Polo Rules. It is doubtful If many local players have more than a casual idea of the playing of the game of water polo. In futuro, however, players must be expeoted to be conversant with the new rules, and if not, it Is obvious that they will penalise their own teams. Referees too, will no doubt bo found applying a stricter interpretation of the rules than formerly, but if players are conversant with all phases of play, the referees’ task will be an easy and pleasant one. And this is as It should bo. W. Martin Again. A regular attendant at the Hamilton baths is W. Martin, whoso recent swimming shows him to be well up to form. In previous seasons he swam for Y.M.G.A. but tills year ho 'is to don the colours of the recently-in-cepted Old Technicals Club. Martin’s main success lies in his powerful stroke, although material assistance is lent by a steady kick—not a blacksmith’s thrasher, hut a genuine fastbeat kick. Martin, if not handicapped out of the running, should obtain outstanding success this season.

Australians’ Visit. There should be a record attendance at Matamata on Monday to see the exhibitions of thejvisiting Australian lady swimmers, Misses -Francis Bul-t and Claire Dennis. A dance Is to follow the carnival. As is well known, Miss Dennis is the world’s champion lady breaststroke swimmer, a title she won at the last Olympic Games, and in addition, she also hold the world’s record for 220 yards. Miss Butt is a free-style swimmer of class, and was one of the finalists in the 100 metres at the Games, finishing fifth to the winner. Tire appearance' c? -such brilliant swimmers will ba appreciated. Swimmers’ Casual Attitude. A number of local carnivals were last year delayed by the casual attitude of some of the swimmers in responding to Vhe 'Call steward’s (Instructions to get on to the mark. Carnivals were, as a result, often delayed. It would bo a good thing for the sport if club 'officials would take the rather drastic step of starting without the casuals who stroll along late despite warnings. Another forward step would also be to retain 1 the entrants in the heats by means of forfeits instead of misleading the public by what •is nothing more than a hatch of false entries. It is annoying for the spectator to find a lot of contestants withdrawing at the last moment. , Activities Commenced. Now that clubs have started on their activities it should not be long before swimmers begin to show some form and with reasonable weather conditions, the progress made before the holidays should he more pronounced than formerly. Particularly should this be the case in regard to water polo, and it seems that clubs generally are intending ta pay more attention to the gome than, has been the case in the past. This is all to the betterment of the sport, and players will find that the numerous games provided will assist them materially In not only improving their game, but in also striking form quicker than would be otherwise.

A Probable Champion. A length In about 15seo —this Is confidently predicted by the supporters of Bruce ■Gibb, who will be sprinting under the colours of the Y.M.C.A. Club this season. Gibb has secured several months coaching under Professor D. B. Anderson, of Auokland, and despite the earliness of the season is showing record-breaking form. His clubmates_consider that he may probably defeat Whariaetu, of Rotorua. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. ■“lnterested" (Hamilton). —Sorry no reply was forthcoming last week. The Junior age is under 14 in the October preceding the championships and the Intermediates under 17 on date. R. J. (Morrinsville). —Abbreviations vary, but the usual ones for the clubs you mention are Matamata (M.M.) and Cambridge (C). “Philip” (Ciaudelands).—W. Whariaetu holds the 100yds championshp.