A RECORD-BREAKER

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2393, 24 February 1915, Page 7

A RECORD-BREAKER

ARRIVAL OF "DUKE" KAHANAMQKU

EXHIBITION SWIMS

A finely-proportioned and commanding young athlete is the famous Hawaiian swimmer, "Duke" Paoa Kalianamoku, who arrived here from Sidney yesterday to fulfil engagements with tho Now Zoaland Swimming Association. He stands over 6ft. in height, and is built "like a champion," as someone romarked as he strode down the gangway of the Moeraki. The "Duke'. 1 is the fastest swimmer known to the sporting world. Thero may be others as torpedo-liko in the water among the native races of the Pacific Island, but their performances have not been clocked and scheduled," as have the Hawaiian's. He is a product of the surf tha,t beats eternally on the picturesque beaob of Waikiki (near Honolulu), the home of the surf-bather, and the breaker-shooter. There he learned all the arts of the swimmer, and almost unconsciously developed a style that gave him an extraordinary turn of speed in the water. He never raced until 1911; when during a water carnival held off the docks at Honolulu, he swam in three races and opened all eyes. The distances and times were: — 50yds., 241-Sseo.; 100 yds., 55 2-ssec.; 220 yds., 2min. 433-ssec. The following year he was considered good enough to represent America in the swimming events at the Olympic' Games, held in Stockholm, Sweden, where he jumped into fame as a world's champion, establishing new records, and since then has succeeded in breaking his own records. His record for the 100 yards was, prior to his reaching Australia, 54 3-ssec. In Sydney ha succeeded in knocking off the 3-ssec., so that the world's record now stands at 54sec. dead. The "Duke" is accompanied by George Cunha, another very brillianit Hawaiian swimmer, and his manager, Mr. Francis Evans. The party was mot at the wharf by Messrs. F. Bowler and P. N. Rtrndle, of Christchurch, chairman and secretary of the New Zealand Swimming. Association, and Mr. G. S. Hill, .chairman of the local centre, besides others interested in the natatorial art. The "Duke" and his companions were accorded a welcome at the Empire Hotel yesterday afternoon, and afterwards were taken for a motor ride. The party visited Wellington College where, to the delight of the students, an adjournment was made to the College baths, and arrangements were speedify made for an exhibition swim. The distinguished swimmeT was matched _to swim 100 yards against, tlie best swimmer among the senior boys (Wakelin), to whom he conceded the big handicap of 14sec. The College boy won by a touch. The Duke's time was 54 4-ssec., which is very easily the best time ever registered in the College pool. Then Cunha gave the best junior lad ssec. in a 50yds. race, and beat him. !At_ the conclusion of the races the 1 visitors gave an exhibition of different styles of swimming, showing Borne extraordinary methods of propulsion in the water. The display was greatly appreciated, and the' visitors were heartily thanked and cheered for the sportsmanlike entertainment they had afforded those present.

The party left for the south by the Maori last evening. They return to Wellington to swim at a carnival to he held in the Te Aro Baths on March 6.