SWIMMING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue CXXIII, 10 April 1937, Page 23

SWIMMING

AWKWARD SEASON

PROGRESS DIFFICULT

', NEED FOR BATHS

While in some centres, particularly those blessed with tepid baths, progress has been made during the season now concluded, it is evident that, in a general sense, the year's activities have been probably curtailed to a greater degree than for many seasons past. The chief set-back has been the weather, and right throughout .the Dominion, climatic conditions were the worst experienced for a decade. Where a sport such as swimming is so much dependent on outdoor conditions in the absence of indoor facilities, the difficulties of those in control are apparent, but when those difficulties are doubly increased by the reason of bad weather, it will be appreciated that the making of real progress is considerably hampered, particularly in the field of educational work.

Again, the infantile paralysis epidemic considerably reduced the scope of the association's activities in respect of children and public generally, in that the- first attempt at a national "Learn to Swim" week had to be: abandoned. This latter effort would have stimulated great interest throughout the Dominion, and judging from the keenness displayed by the various districts, splendid results would have been achieved. However, the organisation of ihe movement is not likely to be lost, and it can be expected that with favourable conditions next season no effort will be spared to ensure a big success of this worthy object. COMPETITIVE WORK. Competitively, there has been much of interest accomplished, but the abandonment of the junior, intermediate, and senior national championships, due to the epidemic, deprived most of the leading swimmers of an opportunity to display their improvement, or otherwise, and caused them to hold off in their training when the decision was made. The cancellation is unfortunate in view of the Empire Games next year, and the selection of a team for that fixture may be hampered by the lack of the true value of some of the candidates. However, sufficient form has been shown by several swimmers to warrant their being considered in any selection made, and the performances of the Misses Purdie, Ludlow, and Leydon, in the ladies' section, and, P. Hanan and P. Mathieson in the,,men's section,' indicate'that they will be in the fore-1 front. The names mentioned do riot,, of course, represent the full field from which a choice can be made; there are several others who will have strong, claims when the final, selection is made. Their opportunities of displaying their worth were, however, considerably curtailed! and a. triie line on their ability could not be obtained, yet performers such as the Misses Gotlieb, Basstian, Smith, Coulthurst, Rix, and Barton, and Messrs. Newall, Symes, Cliff, Frankham, Crump, L. Smith, Davies, Johnson, and Ewart are !of sufficient class to be considered in the first flight.-, In their cases it may be necessary for each of them to disclose early in the next season their best efforts owing to the early closing of entries for the Games, but given reasonable conditions and opportunity there is no reason why several of them should not be included in the team if their known ability has not deteriorated. SPORT SUFFERS. Locally, the elements were far from kind, and in consequence the sport suffered. Little could be accomplished by officials and competitors, yet efforts were not relaxed, and despite the restricted avenuesj some good competitive results were in evidence. Visits from overseas swimmers were received on two occasions, with a varying degree of success. The visit of Messrs. Fleming, O'Connor, and Hellmrich, were instructive and entertaining, but the illness of the former did not permit of his true worth 'being disclosed, while the Wellington centre lost heavily financially. On the other hand, the appearance of the Australian surf life-saving team drew a splendid attendance which enabled the centre to recoup themselves to a large extent, and incidentally, to stage the best carnival held for several seasons. A repetition of such gatherings ,would do an immense amount of good, and although the Australians would be the last to admit they were star baths performers, yet they were of a calibre sufficiently strong to be the features of the carnival. A further appearance by a similar team would undoubtedly be a fine attraction. Additionally, the team afforded the opr portunity of an interesting study and comparison of-baths and sea swimming, and revealed the pronounced difference of the two. While the Australians were above the average in still water swimming, they did not consider themselves in the light of champions, but in the surf there was no doubt as to their class, and they were definitely superior to the best of New Zealand. Their appearance at various carnivals throufihout the North .Island was well received, and all the gatherings were a financial success. LOCAL TITLES. "~ The limited amount of racing in the district militated against many good performances, but the restricted field did not prevent the local champion, Frank Pennington, from showing decided improvement, arid he '-stood out as easily the best performer. * Rarely were conditions entirely in his favour, yet he was successful in lowering several of the centre'records, and his swimming at Auckland 'during the Easter carnival was an indication of the progress he has made. R. Hatchwell, the young swimmer from Christchurch who was having his first season in Wellington, showed splendid form and he looks a prospective national champion. His physique and style will help him along considerably, and if his improvement is as marked next season as it has been this, he will be right amongst the top class. Over the distances, D.

Evans was a good performer, and in his case the improvement was very marked. He was putting up good efforts at the close of the season, and he also should nearly make the grade. Miss Gotlieb, the lady national champion, was swimming well just prior lo the date set down for the championships, . and was keen to make an attempt on the national record. The fates however were unkind to her, illness preventing the attempts and also preventing her from competing at the carnival at Auckland during Easter. She should not suffer from the loss of strenuous swimming, the spell will probably do good, so that she may be expected to be better" than ever when the serious swimming starts next season., Miss O. Smith appeared to be swim- 1 ming as well as previously and would, have probably. retained her title, but | she also was disappointed in that the < national championships were not held and thus losing the opportunity Of endeavouring to improve on her times; Generally young swimmers, both boys and girls, were showing improvement on other seasons, but the restricted season just experienced precluded any great advantage being gained. However, one concludes comment by expressing the hope that next summer all swimmers and supporters will be recompensed for their ill luck this season, and that the enjoyment of the sport to the full will be the portion of every one of them.