SWIMMING

Evening Star, Issue 20055, 21 December 1928, Page 12

SWIMMING

OTAGO CHAMPIONSHIPS REVIEWED i [By Sooseb.] With feelings of disappointment, the writer looks back on the Otago swimming and diving championships, which wore held at the Municipal Baths last week—disappointment largely because of the poor support that was accorded the fixture by active swimmers, and because of the small attendance (perhaps resultant on the entries) on both nights, though it was bettor on the Saturday night than was the case on the former session. It is a matter for much regret that iu any race a swimmer should win by a swim over, disappointing alike to tho swimmer and the publicT While some fast times were registered in a few classes, some of the others were disappointingly slow, many of tho swimmers failing to) register times up to championship requirements. Nevertheless, it is fairly safe to say that Otago should bo represented at the national championships by a very fair team, though it will he largely composed of junior and intermediate competitors, some of whose chances of success look exceedingly bright. The recent championships served to reveal that Otago still maintains a very high standard so far as the quality of its divers is concerned. THE SENIORS. The appearance of C. J. M'Lean, who performed quite creditably for Otago at the New Zealand championships last season, added interest to tho swimming on the second night, and had he been there to push N.H. Bailey on the first night tho Kiwi man would probably have reduced his time in the 100yds championship by two or three seconds. Though Bailey did not approach New Zealand championship time, he swam, well over 100yds, and is certainly Otago’s best performer over this distance. He won this event by syds, and maintained a steady rhythmic stroke all the way to return 65 3-ssec for the distance. Bailey has a powerful arm stroke, and gets the pull with a minimum of effort. His log action is inclined to become a little irregular over the last length, but I believe Bailey is swimming better over this distance this season than he has done for a long time past. Ho used the trudgeon for the 440yds, and went along ,very easily, but tho time was slow, 6min 41sec. He won comfortably by 15yds, and could have made it fifty on the way he was swimming. Had Bailey been really tested the time would have been faster, but even then it would hardly have been up to championship standard. Bailey swam a good race over 220yds, and was beaten by M'Lean only by a touch after the pair had been together all the way. Bailey tired a little towards the finish, and, though he was as game as ever, he was reducing his stroke a little, and could not respond when M'Lean made his final effort. Bailey registered fastest time in the harbour race last season, and will be out after that distinction again, . It should be a grand race for fastest time between Bailey and M'Lean, and the race will be lent additional interest by reason of the fact that the swimmer returning fastest time will be Otago’s official selection for the Annette Kellerman Cup race at Wellington. Bailey is a most consistent swimmer, and I am confident that before tho season ends he will turn in fast time for 100yds. . , Absent nearly all the year at Auckland University, 0. J. M'Lean has remained loyal to his old club, and still represents” St. Clair at the Otago championships. He arrived in Dunedin only on Friday night, and was probably short of training when he took the water the following night. Under those circumstances he swam really well, winning the 220yds from Bailey by . a touch in 2min 54sec, which was nine seconds faster than the time Tie registered in tho same event last season. M'Lean improved his. stroke last season, and he gives indications that with more training he will swim well over 5i stances from 220yds up before the present season ends. That M'Lean was not in top form was shown In the 880yds handicap, in which, after a close race with R, J. Fleming, he won on

the touch in the slow time of 14min 37 4-ssec. M'Lean appears to be getting more bite with his arms than hitherto, and with a little more powerful leg drive may yet improve Upon his last year’s times. One of the finest races on the programme was the 150yds men’s backstroke championship, which was generally expected to provide a duel between the holder of the title, W. Boyd, and S. Fogg, a St. Clair representative. So it proved. Boyd swam a soundly judged race, and, while Fogg fed for the greater part of the journey, Boyd maintained a nice, steady stroke all tho way, with a very regular log action, and over the last bit be put in a great dash, and .won by a yard, his time being 2min lose,;, which was 8 .*5-ssee faster than the time ho recorded in winning this event last season. ff Boyd were to concentrate a little more on back-stroke he might go a long way in this style of swimming, for he has the stroke, and certainly the judgment.. He secured second place in the 100yds championship, in which ho dead-heated with his Kiwi clubmate, H. D. Gillies. Boyd has developed his stroke along his own lines, and, while be swims a fast crawl for a length or two, he has an unorthodox arm action, though his stroke is better than what it was a season back. He is a fine all-round performer in the water, for, iu addition to being such a good exponent of the backstroke and a very fair free style swimmer, he is one of the best plain divers in Dunedin, and an Otago water polo representative. He and Ces. Lewis are probably the outstanding all-rounders in Dunedin at the present time. If Stan. Fogg decided to take on swimming seriously there is but little doubt he would do well both in the free style and in back stroke. In the Otago 150yds men’s back stroke championship ho made the pace a cracker most of the way, and employed a fast, stroke and strong leg action, but be faded out a little over ihe last bit, though only narrowly beaten by. Boyd. Fogg swam exceptionally well in the 68 2-3yds handicap on the first night, registering under 40sec for the distance, which suggests that had he trained for the 100yds event tho St. Clair man might have helped to make things interesting. Fogg gets the maximum pull from his arms, and has a powerful bat smooth stroke that makes one wish he was able to. spare more time to the sport. He is certainly one of the most stylish swimmers in Otago. . When it is remembered that C. Lewis is captain of the St. Clair Life Saving Club and also secretary of the Otago Swimming Centro, which means that he is not always able to spare the time he would like to training for championship swimming, bis performance at the Otago championships were very creditable. Lewis’s fort© is the breast stroke, and in this style of natation he wou a national title in 1925. He was in a class, of his own at the Otago championships, winning tho 220yds breast stroke event by 10yds in 3min 18 3-ssec, which was a good deal faster than Harold Clark’s time last season, though well below what will be necessary to win a New Zealand championship this season. Lewis is a powerful breast stroke swimmer, and while he may not be as stylish a performer as Herd or Sylow he should certainly stand a big chance of being placed in this event if he is able to go to the New Zealand championships. He should be able to reduce his time for the. distance very considerably, though his best time in competition was round about 3min Bsec, registered at Wanganui in 1924. Lewis won the life-saving championship with J. L. M'lndoe. as his partner, a centre record going by the board as a result. Outside the titleholders, two younger swimmers who performed quite, well in the men’s event were H. D. Gillies and R. J. Fleming. The former, representing the Kiwi Club, secured second place by dead-heating with Boyd in the 100yds, and was third in the 22Qyds and 440yds events. His best effort was undoubtedly in the KXtyda and with more training over this distance Gillies should be capable of still further improving his time. Fleming registered one of his best swims to date by filling second place to M'Lean in the 880yds men’s championship. The Dunedin swimmer was with McLean all the way, and was beaten only by a touch, while in the 440yds ©vent ho beat Gillies for second place by a yard. Fleming takes his swimming seriously, and as his stroke has been developed along good lines he should do still better in the future. After the many fine performances that have been registered by Otago ladies—-Miss Kathleen Miller and Miss Minnie Jepson—in the past, it was indeed disheartening to observe that the ladies’ 100yds and 220yds titles went ti Miss Jepson on this occasion without opposition. Miss Jepson a. couple of seasons ago was second to Miss Miller in the 220yds ladies’ championship of New Zealand, and she was second to Miss Stockley in the 100yds event, but she is swimming a long way below that form at the present time. It is difficult to criticise , a swimmer on the form shown in a swim-over, but Miss Jepson’s arm stroke left a good deal, to be desired. She was bringing her right arm around sideways, and her times were not impressive. She took 80see for 100yds and 3min 23 2-ssec for 220yds, times which aro well below her best. If she is to be chosen in Otago’s team for the national championships she will have to turn in faster times than that. THE DIVERS. It will take great diving to deprive Roy Calder of his national men’s title at Wellington in February. He has already won this championship three times, and if he performs as he did at the Otago championships last week another win looks very probable. Calder has given some fine exhibitions at the Municipal Baths, but few more finished displays than his latest. He was getting the height above the board, and the balance he commands in the air is something to be wondered at. He had a lovely flight, and his entry almost without exception was very polished. Calder’s somersault backward off the top board was a great effort, and his one screw backward off the top board and a half-borer forward running off the 10ft board, too, were both well executed. The less difficult dives were performed in just as finished a fashion, and it is fairly safe to state that Calder is diving as well as ever he has done, which is saying a lot. H. Walker has held the New Zealand championship, and, though ho is'a good deal older than Calder, he is still in the very first flight. Twice he won the New Zealand championship, and twice he has been placed second in this event, including last year. His diving last week would have been good enough to win a championship in most places where there was. no Calder, for he was consistently good throughout, his one and a-half somersault forward running being a particularly good dive, while he also did a good half-borer forward, running off the 10ft booed. .Walker

was just a little inclined to flick the water with his toes as he entered, but it would be difficult to pick many flaws in his diving, and, seeing that he did not undergo a very long preparation for the championships, his diving was exceptionally good. For an intermediate A. M. Rix performed some difficult dives really well, and he did . a couple of very fair Isanders. With a little more finish he should be capable of a really good exhibition, and he is generally regarded locally as having a very good chance of retaining his intermediate diving title. f Though it did not provide, much that was sensational, the ladies’ diving championship produced some vey fair efforts for this time of the season, and Miss D. Foote., who retained her title, will probably dive better in opposition to Miss L Hood at the national championships. Miss Foote did not dive as well as at the national championships when she secured second place in the Indies’ diving championship, but she gave n more finished display than her club mate. She was a little inconsistent, her somersault off the 10ft board being very roughly done. She did not get sufficient height in one or two dives, but her Isander off the low board ns a voluntary was a good one, and she executed several neat dives from the less difficult numbers She made a good entry, though once or twice she flicked the water with her toes. Once Miss Foote learns to command a better balance in the. air she bo capable of a better display than last week’s, but she will have to devote more time to training if «he is to win a New Zealand title. She has the ability if she will devote the time to it. The New Zealand championships are still about-six weeks off, so that there is time for Miss Foote to reach top form, and she showed in one or two dives that all die requires is practice. Miss J. Eggers base improved since last season, and while hers was not as finished an exhibition all round as that of Miss Foote, she gave a fair display, and, like Miss Foote, she did a good Isander off the. low board. She must remember to point her toes, but of Miss Eggers it may be said that she endeavours to make the greatest possible use of the board. She will give a better display yet, for she is keen and sho is game, INTERMEDIATE DIVISION. For some reason or other it is quite a few years since Otago was very strong in the intermediate boys’ division, and this year’s swimming in that section was very ordinary indeed, the only competitor being B. Kerr, who has some distance to go before, he approaches provincial championship standard. In the 220yds event he had a swim-over in 3min 37 2-ssec, which was 3seo slower than tho time registered last season, when the swimming was also of a disappointing nature. Kerr swam a better race over 100yds, but. even so, Imin 18 3-ssec is a good deal below championship time. Kerr will need to devote more time to his stroke if ho is to achieve further success at the sport, for after a length or two he is inclined to reduce his arm stroke, and he was dipping his. elbow badly. Considering the short time the Dunedin boy has been in the sport, how ever, he has done well to have progressed as far as he has done. Good form was shown by G. Durand, a St. Clair swimmer, who made no mistake about winning the 100yds intermediate boys’ breast stroke championship. Durand swims fairly well up in the water, and has a good lusty kick,. Iris time being Imin 34sec. With a little ■more preparation Durand should be able to reduce this; for he is quite one of the most promising prospects on the breast stroke that have been seen around lately. Miss M. Mathieson was in a class of her own among the. intermediate girls, and I will be surprised if the Dunedin Club’s star does not seriously threaten the New Zealand record for the 75yds breast stroke when sho goes to Wellington for the national championships. After her swimming on Saturday night it must be a foregone conclusion that she will be included in the Otago team. She swam a great race in the breaststroke event, and her time of Imin Bsec for the distance was only 2 3-ssec outside the New Zealand record. It is worthy of note that on one previous occasion an Otago girl, Miss V. Scotten, set an intermediate record mark of Imin 7 4-sseo for 75yds breast stroke, and it certainly looks as if Miss Mathieson, who is a daughter of the baths custodian, will follow Miss Scotten’s example. Miss Mathieson is a pretty swimmer on the breast stroke, her timing leaving nothing to he desired. Last season she gained a third place in the junior girls 1 New Zealand breast-stroke championship, but she has improved out of sight since then, and is now also a force to be reckoned with on the crawl. Sho swam splendidly in the intermediate girls’ 100yds free-style chamiopnship, which she won comfortably in Imm 20 l-ssec, and she. certainly shows up as tho most promising lady swimmer in Otago at the present time. She may even have to be reckoned with in the intemedintet girls’ 100yds free-stylo championship at Wellington, for she has a fair stroke and plenty of dash at the finish. She is a girl of whom big things may ho expected in the very near future. . , Both Miss Daphne Murdoch and Miss P. Lang swam very fair races in the 100yds intermediate girls event, but tho former possessed the better finish, which gave her second, place before Miss Lang, who, however, is a most promising swimmer. Miss C. . Lang swam rather disappointingly in the 75yds breast-stroke event, and she will have to pay a little more attention to her stroke, which was open to doubt, as she was inclined to do tho side kick. This little girl is a gome youngster, all the same, and one who has bright prospects in the future if she is looked after, for she is just outside tho junior limit. FINE SWIMMING BY JUNIOR BOYS. The junior boys’ division produced the best swimming of the meeting, and from these youngsters at least two may be sorted out who would worthily represent Otago at the New Zealand championships—B. Geddes and W. Jarvis. Geddes made another clean sweep of the junior programme, though Jarvis gave him his hardest race over 6Qyds. The Kiwi boy, however, was in exceptionally good foom, as may be seen from a glance at his winning times» as follow-SOyas, 32 4-osec; 100yds, 74see; and 75yds breast stroke, Imm 3 4-Ssec. The New Zealand junior boys’ breast-stroke champion is unlikely to be deprived of his title at Wellington, for in this style of swimming he is moving bettor than ever. He h as a mere rhythmical stroke, a stronger kick, and a better finish, and it will not be surprising if he lowers Buster Olds’s New Zealand record of Imin 2 3-ssec for this event. Ontside off breast-stroke swrimming, however, Geddes should have to be reckoned with in both the 100yds and 220yds New Zealand junior boys’ free-srtyle

championships, for he is improving all the tune. He has a fast stroke, which ho was well taught by Mr E. H. Olds when the latter was in Dunedin, and factors in his success axe his quickness off the mark and his finish. Geddes won the 150yds championship on Saturday night, but owing to the thoughtless action of one of the rope stewards, who dropped the rope before the end of the reswim W. .farvis, who was then lying second, thought it was the finish, and sprinted, only to find that he had another 20yds to go. It was then decided to reswim the race, tin’s taking * place on Monday night, when Geddes finished Bsec ahead of Jarvis, the winner’s time being Imin 59 l-ssec—a great performance, and but for the fact that tho baths are a few inches short of requirements it would be applied for as a record. This suggests that Geddes will stand a big chance at the Now Zealand championships in the _ 220yds event, and he is certainly entitled to be ranked as one of the' finest junior swimmers Otago has ever produced. W. Jarvis also swam very well, especially in the 60yds junior boys’ championship, in which he pushed Geddes to within a foot, while he was second in both of the other free style events. Tho Dunedin swimmer has a correct stroke, and he gets a good reach with Ins arm, though his leg action and his finish are not as good as those of Geddes. In another year, however, ho should he a formidable opponent for the present ’junior champion. Though only nine years of ago, S. Jarvis competed in every junior boys’ championship, and finished gamely in every one, too. He has a finished stroke, and for one so young shows great speed in tho water. In a year or two he should bo Otago’s outstanding junior. J, H. M'Gregor and A. Buckland, both of tho Kiwi Club, are another pair of promising youngsters, and both have improved since last season. Both gamed places during the recent championships, and while hardly in the class of Geddes or Jarvis, both are swimmers above the ordinary. JUNIOR GIRLS. The junior girls’ championships were all won by the Kiwi representative, Miss M. Bewley, but only two swimmers came forward, and the times wore disappointingly slow. Still, Miss Bewley has taken swimming seriously only this season, and as she promises to develop a good stroke should do better in the future, especially as she is possessed of a very fair finish. Miss I. Gillies, the other competitor in the junior girls’ section, is a swimmer wuo requires a good deal of coaching. She rolls badly at the prssont time, but 1 feel certain that with proper coaching she would turn in some good performances, for she is a strong and determined type of swimmer. KIWI CARNIVAL. The Kiwi Club has arrangements well in hand for its carnival on Thursday, January 24, and a good programme has been forwarded to the Otago Centre for its approval, tho trophies in most cases being to the value of a guinea (first), half n guinea (second!, or 15s (first) and IDs fid (second). The club has been fortunate in having a number of its trophies donated by supporters of the sport. The programme is as follows: —33jyds schoolboys’ novice scratch race (open to junior swimmers who have not won a first prize in an event under the jurisdiction of the Otago Centre), 50yds iunior and intermediate boys’ and girls’ handicap, 33Jyds dash handicap, 50yds ladies’ handicap, fififyds breast stroke handicap, 100yds medley handicap (breast stroke, back stroke, and free style in that order), 1331yds relay handicap (teams of four), novelty obstacle race (for which entries will bo free), life-saving handicap (first and fourth methods, competitors to be attired in swimming costume, shirt, pants, socks, collar, and tie and to undress in the deep end), diving (running hunch off low board, standing pike oil' 10ft board, and one voluntary). A novelty event is also being arranged by tho club, and it is also hoped that the Dunedin captain, Roy Gaider, will consent to give an exhibition of diving. A polo match has also been included at the end of the programme. The entries will close on Saturday, January 19, and it is hoped that as this will be the last appearance of the Otago team before the New Zealand championships satisfactory entries will be received. WATER POLO. Tho water polo competition was commenced last Saturday night, last year’s champions, St. Clair A, defeating Dunedin comfortably by 10 goals to 0. The players took the game more seriously than in the wretched display that was staged at the previous carnival, and the . result was that some quite interesting play was witnessed, though St. Clair proved far too good for their opponents. The winners had a good understanding of each other’s play, this being aparent in the concerted movements which took place. Theii throwing was more accurate and better directed, and such players as Ces. Lewis, Harrod, and M'lndoe are fit for most teams. Simpson, too, played well in this game. Dunedin lacked the experience of the winners, but as the team is composed of young players they should improve. St. Clair will be very hard to beat in this competition, but before the matches are completed some interesting and exciting games should be witnessed. CLUB JOTTINGS. With the championships over the clubs will now settle down to the ordinary routine of club training, and I understand that the Kiwi Club, in addition to its carnival arrangements, intends getting very busy with the coaching of promising younger performers and beginners. N. H. Bailey and W. Boyd, both Otago champions, have been appointed to look after_ the interests of tho promising competitive swimmers; while Miss Morgan, the club’s lady swimming champion, will coach the lady competitive swimmers. Mrs Isaacs, formerly Miss M. Morrison (ex-New Zealand ladies’ diving champion) will coach the divers. H. Clark (who holds the Life Saving Society’s diploma) will give instruction in aspirants for breast stroke honours anu those interested in living saving, and H. D. Gillies, G. Collett, R. Hector, and, W. H. Hamilton will have charge of the learners. The coaching ip future will be arranged on systematic lines, and those taking part will he allotted to the various coaches at the first club hour after the New Year, January 8. This club does not intend to neglect training for water polo, but practice will be carried out only during the last ten minutes of the hour at the Municipal Baths. With a view to stimulating interest in the competition for the Kiwi Honse

Banner, in which it is hoped practically every member of the club will compete, the Kiwi Club intends arranging a series of trials after the New Year, and in each division a special replica of the club badge is to be awarded to the winner. There will be men’s, ladies’, and junior boys’ and junior girls’ trials, and a special novice ladies' handicap is also to be arranged. For the last-named event a special trial will be arranged prior to the handicaps being declared. The St Kilda Life Saving and Surf Bathing Club has just procured a new reel from Wellington, and the real activities of the club will now be commenced in earnest. Quite a fair team should be got together with a little practice, such well-known swimmers os W. Boyd, H. Clark, W. Hamilton, R. Hector, M. Taylor, and H. D. Gillies being available for the life-saving activities of the club, though they are associated with another club so far as competitive swimming is concerned. The Dunedin Club championships have not yet been fixed, but it is likely that this club will make n start with its own races shortly after the New Year. Both Miss D. Foote and Miss Crowley have been trying a one and ahalf somersault from the 10ft board with very fair results. In the latter the Dunedin Clnb has a most promising diver. The St. Clair Life Saving Club has now made a start with its beach activities, the opening day at St. Clair last Saturday being most successful. There are eight or nine contenders for the places in the team, which should mould into a good combination once it settles down. Among those taking part in the team’s activities will be A. Harrod (instructor), C. B. Lewis, J. Lewis, Weir, Faulks, J. Swan, J. B. Simpson, J. L. M'lndoe, .and H. 'Devlin. It is likely that the St. Clair Club will stage its carnival after the New Zealand championships, and if the meeting is arranged shortly after the return of the Otago team it should be a good attraction. SPLASHES. Dunedin swimmers are reminded of the Karitano and Broad Bay regattas oyer the holidays. As the respective regatta committees have included swimming events on their programmes, it behoves swimmers to do their share by supporting them with entries wherever it is possible to do so._ And from his own experience the writer knows that some of the most enjoyable competitions of the year take place at these seaside carnivals. Though ho may be classed as neariug the veteran stage, J. L. M'lndoe, the popular president of the Otago Swimming Centre, is still entitled to bo regarded as one of the most versatile natatorial performers _in Otago. At one time he was a diver and breaststroke swimmer of class, but now he does not take competitive swimming very seriously, though ho is still a demon of a plunger. In fact, in winning the corfu dive the other night he did over 60yds under water, and alarm signals were just about due. He followed up this success by winning the polo ball throwing championship, and also the Otago life saving championship. And, to cap all his other efforts, he and J. Swan, another St. Clair Life Saving member, saved a man’s life in the surf last Sunday. The swimmer, who was brought iu safely, had ventured too near the St. Clair baths, and was in a swirling current before he knew where he was. What might have been a fatality should serve to impress upon surf bathers the danger of venturmg > too far away from the popular bathing zone. The mostesciting event of the Otago championship carnival was the championship relay, in which, after one of the greatest races on record, St. Clair beat Kiwi, the holders of the title, by the barest possible margin. St. Clair had the more evenly balanced team, and the same applied in the six-a-side event for the Olds Shield, which was retained by St. Clair with 2yds to spare. Swimming will surely grow in popularity if a few more such races are staged at forthcoming carnivals. South Africa also has to deal with trouble arising out of its team’s visit to the Olympic Games at Amsterdam (says an exchange). A confidential report on the doings of the team has been in circulation. When the last mail to hand left Cape Town the president of the South African Olympic Games Association was to call a meeting of all the associations concerned. Ready proof of improvement by Olympic representative Edna Davey since her tour was the easy manner in which she retained her title of 880yds champion of New South Wales at the Randwick Coogee ladies’ carnival at Coogce Aquarium recently (says the Sydney ‘Referee’). When she touched her nearest rival, Sydney Club champion, Betty Taw, was 45yds away. The latter, who has registered some fast times over the shorter distance this season, has hardly had time to prepare for the half-mile, and, in the circumstances, she did well to complete the long swim in 13.36—an improvement of 4sec on her previous best. Swimming with little effort, Edna Davcy’s time was 12.54 3-5, thus beating her previous year’s best in Bondi Baths by 10 2-ssec. An erratic course taken by Mattie Mealing pulled the champion up on one occasion. Without that incident she would undoubtedly have gone close to Fanny Durack’s record had she been pressed to win.