SWIMMING.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19462, 29 December 1934, Page 17 (Supplement)

SWIMMING.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By “Trudgeon.”) Coming Events. January Old Pupils’ Carnival. January 23.—Morrinsville Club’s Carnival. January 26.—Y.M.C.A. 'Club’s Carnival. TRAINING METHODS. SATISFACTORY PREPARATIONS. •PERSISTENCY NECESSARY. There is too much that Is slipshod about training in most of the New Zealand provincial centres. Many swimmers are not only in ignorance of the correct training methods, but the great majority lack also the persistency which can alone, carry the preparations to a successful issue. ■ Adequate training cannot be undertaken in a week, or, for that matter two or even three weeks.. 'Before the -time comes to race there should be at least a month spent on concentrated training, in order that stamina as well as speed may be developed. Training is not confined to a series of mad sprints. Speed is seldom increased by this method and it must be done systematically and In accordance with a balanced programme whißh covers every phase. Suppose the 100 yards is the distance. If possible about an hour’s training should be undertaken daily though if the swimmer finds he is getting stale, he must cut down his training proportionately. It is of course impossible to lay down definite rules but, perhaps, his hour in the bath would be spent along these lines. The first few minutes might be profitably passed in a sprint or two and then, by way of relaxation, the swimmer could practise turns or starting plunges. It is most necessary to get as near to perfection a? possible in these phases, as -efficient plunging and turning cuts down swimming times by seconds. Speed is useless without stamina- and the -trainee would be well advised to spend a good proportion of his time in distance swimming. He need not. necessarily swim fast, but he should try to get along steadily, doing his best to maintain balance and regular v breathing. Most important of all he should’not allow himself to swim in a slipshod style just because he is going slowly. One other point Is of importance. One cannot train alone. Faults cannot be discerned let alone be corrected unless there is a second person on the watch. It is not possible for many to retain the services of an experienced coach, but, on this count, the trainee need- not be unduly worried as a friend with some knowledge of the rudiments of the sport, can usually pick out the. mistakes that the swimmer is making.

FROM TRUDGEON’S NOTEBOOK.

Young Maori Girl.

Rotorua possesses a likely girl in Nawi Kera. Although only 11 years of age she has accomplished some remarkable swims and her prospects for the next several -seasons -are particularly bright. Just recently she covered 66 2-4 yards in 46 seconds, a phenomenal time for so young a girl. Crump or Jarvis?

A tussle royal is promised at, this season’s national swimming championships. Can Noel 'Crump, Dominion record holder and Empire Games representative hold off the young Otago giant, Wally Jarvis? Both are nearing the top of their form. Racing against the Australian, 'Clark,, Jarvis covered 100 yards in '56 4-5 seconds, while just few days later Crump went over tho same distance in an Auckland handioap in 55 3-5 seconds. This is only 3-'5 seconds outside his New Zealand record. So it is that speculation remains rife. Promising Aucklanders,

Early next year Hamiltonians will have the opportunity of seeing some of Auckland’s best intermediates in action. It is understood that arrangements have long passed the tentative stage and among the stars who will be figuring on the programme there will be at least several of the province's best. Edna Rainey, whp has the monopoly of the girls’ intermediate records, will make her second appearance in Hamilton, while it is probable that Joan Cadness and June Melhouse will also be swimming. When at Cambridge last 'March 'Miss Cadness was an easy winner over the intermediate sprints, while Miss Rainey achieved principal honours in the longer distances. Miss 'Melhouse has not been seen in llie South Auckland Centre. Maoris Prominent. 'Pakeha champions will have to look to their laurels. Not only are such Maoris at Wliareaitu and Simon likely to be national champions Ibis or next season, blit-, in addition, there are several oilier natives who arc likely io give llie champions a good run for their money. These include Ruhi Pene, Iliwa Manalii, B. Mcßae (who with AVhareaitu and Simon will probably comprise llie Centre’s Flying Squadron learn), Hanc Manalii, liaponi and bid Mika.

A Weak Point. South Auckland cannot boast about its women swimmers. There are remarkably few who can go within 10 seconds in 100 # yards with Hie Auckland or south*ern cracks, while the intermediate class is woefully weak. With the exception of Betsy Davis of Hamilton and Edie Ensor of Morrinsville, South Auckland may be said to possess no coming swimmers in the women’s section. A great deal of improvement must be shown if the local women entrants want to extend the Auckland visitors when they come to Hamilton next year.

Consistent Training. A visit to Auckland —or for "that matter to any centre where swimming is going ahead—convinces one of the drudgery that is necessary In the making of a champion. Rigorous training is necessary and it is the customary thing to fltid -most swimmers spending about an hour each day on work in the baths. As one example of enthusiasm 1 , one intermediate thinks nothing of travelling six or seven miles daily (nearly an hour’s journey) to the nearest baths in order to keep in training. Carnivals Commenoo. Up to the present there has. not been any major carnival in the South Auckland 'Centre’s district. However, within a month the, competitive season will have commenced and the majority of swimmers will now be commencing serious training. It is unwise to leave the preparations until a week or two before the events and at least three weeks or a month should be spent in consistent training.

Auckland’s Prospects. •Never have Auckland’s prospects looked rosier. Not only has the centre the best half-dozen men and women performers in the Dominion, but in addition there are fully a dozen juniors and interhiediates w'ho will be outstanding performers in the course of the next few years. Alan Pascoe and Wally Johnston are two youths who are likely to do well, while such girls as Edna Rainey, -Judith Webster, Joan Gadness, JVTarjorie Black, Connie Watters and 'Grace Priestley are expected to turn out trumps for Auckland, Jim Ritchie’s Success. The former pupil of the Hamilton Technical College, and the 'Hamilton High School, Jim Ritchie, now stationed with the Royal Air Force at Holton, England, receives considerable eulogy from the latest British sporting -journals. He was selected by the Air Force for the Command swimming team, which won the Royal Air Force Challenge Trophy 1933 and 1934. He won the 33 i-'3 yards event against international swimmers at Plaistow, and was also -successful in the 100 yards free style, breaking the previous record. An English ‘journal states: —“Mr Ritchie, who is 18 years of age, is a son of Mr and Mrs J. Ritohie, of Auokland, and was educated at Hamilton, Waikato. Prior to his departure for England three years ago to join the Royal Air Force he was a member of the Whitiqra swimming team, Hamilton, and competed at various carnivals in Hamilton, Cambridge, Matamata’ and other centres, winning various cups and trophies. He is also a prominent Rugby player."