Last day on job ‘scary5

Press, 1 July 1983, Page 1

Last day on job ‘scary 5

“Scary” was how Jack Breward described his-feel-ings on the last day of his 55-year career as a swimming instructor in Christchurch.

“I don’t have any plans for my retirement. I know I should have made plans, but I have put it off and put it off,” he said. Mr Breward did not get much teaching done yesterday during his last class at the Centennial Pool. He was interrupted by a stream of his young pupils who came to say good-bye and to give him presents, ranging from a bouquet of flowers to a sun visor.

A love of swimming and of children attracted Mr Breward to his career.

“I have always liked children and they have loved me. We get on very well together,” he said. Friends thought he was “mad” when he threw in his job as an industrial chemist to become a professional swimming instructor in 1928 but he has no regrets about the decision. He went on to

become one of New Zealand’s most respected swimming teachers and in 1980 was awarded the M.B.E. for his work.

As a boy, Mr Breward was billed as the Human Fish by “The Press” for his demonstrations of fancy strokes and stunt swimming. During World War I he gave demonstrations to raise money for the war effort.

In those days it was unusual for young children to swim at all. Mr Breward said the increase in interest in swimming since he started teaching had been “phenomenal.”

He believed children should be encouraged to enjoy water “almost from babyhood.”

“Parents can do more useful work than strangers in getting them used to the water,” he said. Mr Breward, who is 75, does have one plan for his retirement. He intends to be back at the Centennial Pool regularly to swim.