SWIMMING RETARDED

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20692, 30 December 1938, Page 7

SWIMMING RETARDED

EFFECT OF COLD WEATHER MUNICIPAL BATHS FIGURES PICNICKERS AT THE LAKE The prevalence of cold and unsettled weather this summer has had a considerable effort on the 1938-39 swimming season, the numbers of swimmers seen at the bathing places in and around Hamilton falling far short of those for the same time last season. Although a few of t.he more hardy swimmers took to the water over a month ago. the popular resorts have not received the patronage that could be expected during December. An indication of the extent to which the swimming activities in Hamilton have been retarded may be gained from Ihe returns at the Municipal Baths. Last summer an average attendance totalled about 200 swimmers, while on Anniversary Day over 300 patrons visited the baths. Even with the benefit of ttie school classes and the swimming club nights early this month the attendances ofter failed to reach the 200 mark and on occasions they fell far below it. Although a fine, day was experienced on December .15. the day’s attendance was only 104 swimmers, including those from the combined swimming clubs. Changeable weather two days later had a marked effect, on the returns. which totalled only 58. The succeeding days, during which the weather was not congenial, saw the pat.ronrire drop away sharply until on December 23 only 23 persons visited the baths. The best day experienced at the baths this season was Wednesday of this week, when 168 swimmers took advantage of the warmer weather. During the day the temperature of the water reached 68 degrees, the highest recorded this season. During the holiday period the Hamilton Lake has attracted fairly large crowds of picnickers, but here again the cold winds have deterred swimmers from entering Ihe water. However. on Tuesday large numbers of bathers were to be seen taking advantage of the warmer temperatures.