SWIMMING

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20693, 31 December 1938, Page 22 (Supplement)

SWIMMING

HAMILTON ACTIVITIES DIVING CHAMPION’S PLANS REGATTA DAY PROPOSAL 'By “Leancler") Durinp the holiday jwriod the Hamilton Municipal Ballis have been receiving the patronage of (lie public to as great a degree as ever. Earlier in the season the weather was not altogether suitable for swimming, but now that the days are warmer and the conditions generally better, enthusiasts, are spending a great deal of their time in the water. Club swimmirir has ceased for a while owing to Lite liohdavs .uni so many club members being away, but it is expected ilt.it the competitions arranged by the Hamilton Swimming Glut) and which ) tve proved most popular, will be in full swing again shortly. Arrangements are also being made for a combined night of the Hamilton and Y M.C.A. clubs and tills should prove a big attraction for the public. There is no doubt that Hie amalgamation of Hie Did Boys and Old Technicals clubs lias done swimming in Hamilton more good than harm. Diver Seeking Honours Joyce McDonald. South Auckland ! intermediate diving champion, is seeking New Zealand honours and intends ! I,i cotnpele in the forthcoming Domi- ! liion championships. Phe hns been ; doing some arduous training at Hie Hamilton Municipal Baths during the

past few days and is attempting to get that extra finish which should give her an excellent chance for the national title. Miss McDonald has a very attractive style and should not come before the judges without being seriously considered and as she intends to. stay in Rotorua for about a week before the championships in order to gain some advice from Ihe weH-known coach, Mr R. Perrin, she should have the utmost confidence when she lines up with the remaining competitors. There is no doubt that South Auckland followers of the sport have complete confidence in her and feel sure that she will acquit herself well. Proposed River Race It. is learnt that, swimming authorities in Hamilton are seeking to arrange a river race in connection with tiie Hamilton regatta and river carnival to he held on January 30. That negotiations are being made in that direction will be welcomed by enthusiasts in the district and the event, if staged, should prove a great success. It is believed that plans are in hand to obtain some of our best natiunal swimmers fur this e\cnt which should prove a great attraction amorigst the public and should not only help the sport m the district hut should also aid the regatta association considerably. The distance suggested for the race is a mile, but whether the distance is sufficient to make Hie race an interesting one is doubtful. It should be remembered that the Waikato Hows fairly swiftly beneath the Hamilton bridges and it might be worth the authorities’ while to consider making the distance a little longer. Underwater Recoed Goes The underwater swimming record for women has been broken. After

more than 40 years, an 13-year-old college girl has shattered the longstanding achievement of Ann Johnson, of England, who in 1895 swam 151 feet 6 inches. The latest effort was accomplished by Ruth Khal, who went 3u3 feet, exactly twice the distance. She thinks nothing of her amazing swim and says she does not take the sport seriously. When and if she does, better distances still may be expected of Miss Khal. Her coach. Mr S. Littlefield, is making attempts to have the new record officially recognised and if he is successful a difficult problem is set anybody attempting to break it. Gertrude Ederle’s Plans News that Gertrude Ederle, who as a girl of 19, swam the English Channel, is to return to the ranks of competitive swimmers, will be welcomed by enthusiasts. Since her retirement. from the sport some time aigo rumours have been circulating to the effect that she is deaf and dumb, but Miss Ed t Tie slronglv denied them all. She intends to make her next public appearance at the New York World’s Fair next year is there are any aquatic events arranged. Miss Ederle considers site will he fit enough to meet opposition by that time and announced recently that she could already swim 15 lengths of a 25 yards pool without stopping. It will certainly be interesting to see if she can reproduce that form which earned her such a large following some years ago.