Many Levin Swimmers To Seek Chance Of Work Out At Y.M.C.A. Carnival

Chronicle (Levin), 17 February 1949, Page 7

Many Levin Swimmers To Seek Chance Of Work Out At Y.M.C.A. Carnival

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The Levin club will be well represented at the Y.M.C.A. swimming carnival at Palmerston North. This being one of the first carnivals of the season there are sure to be a few surprises but as far as local swimmers are concerned, they will be able to obtain a better idea of their ability for future carnivals from that try-out.

The attendance at club nights is still being maintained by all members who are keen to improve their particular weaknesses, and I feel [sure that results in this work will [be reflected in a more practicable manner in forthcoming carnivals. Likely members of the Levin Cup team had a try-out and were paced over the distance by fellow club mates. This idea is good and when the team is finally selected this method of training should be done regularly. The foliowing are members selected to represent Levin at the Manawatu Championships, which are being held in the Municipal Baths (Palmerston North) on February 22 and Dannevirke on March 12:— At Palmerston North Intermediate girls: Freestyle, 100 yards. — Janet McClune. Breast stroke, 75 yards. — Pam Franklin, Judy Todd. Breaststroke, 100 yards. — Judy Todd. Junior boys: Freestyle, 100 yards. — Warren Travers, Richard Routley and Darcy Rikihana. Intefmediate boys: Freestyle, 100 yards. — Roy Spooner, Ron Cameron and Ross Chapman. Senior men: Freestyle, 100 yards. — K. Lines, D. Jacob, R. Denton and D. Batten. Freestyle, 440 yards. — K. Lines, Medley; 100 yards.— D. Jacob. At Dannevirke Junior girls: Freestyle, 50 yards. — June Miller and Diana Rathbone. Intermediate girls: Freestyle, 220! yards. — Janet McClune. Breast-; stroke, 100 yards.— Pam Franklin,! Judy Todd. | Junior boys: Freestyle, 220 yards. j — Richard Routley. Senior men: Freestyle, 220 yards. — K Lines, B. Batten. Freestyle, ,880 yards.— K. Lines. Juniors and intermediates who

i caught my eye last Wednesday as showing some improvement in their work are: Boys. — Travers, Rikihana, Routley (2), Hazelwood (2), jShaw, Baylis, Zuppicich, Rathibone, Spooner, Chapman and | Cameron. Girls. — June Miller, [Diana Rathbone, Pam Franklin jand Janet McClune. i Richard Routley in particular is [doing some solid training. Rikihana is also very keen. Zuppicich has prospects for breaststroke and it is unfortunate that he has not been more regular. Rathbone could be better but requires to concentrate and try harder. Spooner must learn to "take off" to do any good. June Miller is doing most of her work int-he mornings. More members should do likewise. Janet McClune is doing well and should work hard on turns. The programme for the Levin carnival which is set down for Sat- ( urday afternoon, February 26, has: now been drawn up and the events j therein cater for all. I Saturday morning learners' class is proving most popular and steady progress is being show'n., The club again wishes to stress that Sat-urday morning is essentially a learners' class and all nonswimmers are being taught free of charge. Those who can swim and desire to improve should join the club. The subscription is very reasonable and the results obtained therefrom are well worthwhile.

Points to Remember The crawl stroke has been responsible for focusing more public attention on swimming than perhaps anything which has previously happened in sport. It was first successfully demonstrated in Europe by American swimmers at the Olympic Games in 1920 when they won the majority of events open to the free-style swimmer. By its almost universal adoption throughout the world, the list of world reeords has undergone drsstic revision proving the stroke as suitable for long distances as for sprint cofirses, thus destroying a theory, once held, that the crawl stroke would never be useful for anything but short distances. To obtain the maximum benefit from a stroke it must be constantly executed and this is the Whole secret of good swimming. In the majority of cases this does not come easily and can usually only be obtained by solid work. The various stages Will be given through these notes each week. Breathing: This i» most important and it is absolutely essential if a swimmer is to maintain normal energy that the lungs , should receive their full supply of air. Any restriction of breathing means loss' of time. Consequently, breathing should be full and regular. There should be one complete and full breath with each stroke. The intake begins when one hand or the other is entering the water on the side which natural tendency makes desirable. For example, assume the swimmer finds it convenient to turn the head to the left. As the left hand is leaving the water, turn the head on the neck so that the chin is parallel with the shoulder. At the same time, open the mouth to its fullest extent, take in a full

breath and return the head to its normal position. Exhale through the nose during the left arm pull with the face submerged so that the lungs are emptied as the right arm is being recovered. Inhale again as the left arm commences its recovery movement.