SWIMMING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2110, 8 February 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

SWIMMING.

F. W. Springfield, who is to represent Australia at this year’s Olympian Games, won the Queensland mile championship in fresh water in 25 minutes 27 seconds. The recent race in Sydney over a mile between O. Diekman, R.Healey, and J. 11. Garland, to decide winch should represent New South Wales at the- Australasian Championship meeting, provided a good contest. The three competitors raced neck and neck over the first 400yds, but at 500 yards Garland was two yards alie-ad of Diekman, with Healv two yards behind Diekman. Healy shortly afterwards retired. Diekman made a big effort at SBO yards, and at 1000 yards he and Garland turned together. At 1300 yards Diekman led by two yards, and he passed the three-quarters of a mile mark in 18 minutes G seconds—l 2-5 seconds less than 11. "Healey’s record-for the distance. From this out Diekman kept his lead. Garland made a big effort over the last lap, but Diekman managed to win by about half a yard. Only 1750 yards were swum, the time being 24 minutes 12 2-5 seconds. Allowing 8 seconds for the swimming of the extra ten yards the time would be 24 minutes 20 2-5 seconds —the best since Keran’s figures. THE CRAWL.

Regarding the “crawl” stroke Mr tVm. Henry, Secretary of the 1 loyal Life-Saving iSociety. London, writes as follows: “The crawl stroke, as swum by Daniels, Healv, and others, is distinct from any other swimming stroke, inasmuch as the legs from the knee upward are kept in line with the hotly and almost closed; there is no opening of the legs or drawing up of tile knees as in the side, breast, or back stroke. The swimmer lies ilat unon his breast, and the lower parts 'of the legs from the knees downwards are alternately lifted above the water, and they are struck down upon the surface with the instep. The striking is done from an upward to a downward direction on to the surface of the water, one leg at a tune. The arms are used somewhat similarly to the trudgeon stroke; they are bent at the elbows, dipped in just beyond the head, and drawn smartly backward until they came out- of tlie water at the lnps. The right arm is dipped in when the left foot strikes downwards, and vice versa. Thus we have nearly always one limb milling or propelling the bodv through tlie water at the very moment when another limb is being recovered for the next stroke. tn this way fewer dead or retaiding points are nroduced than in any other method of swimming, and less resistance is caused in the line of progress. In the other strokes the limbs arc mostly recovered through the water. “The one great disadvantage ot this method of swimming relates to the question of breathing. I’or a novice it is a very difficult matter atfirst, as the intake of the air must he carefully timed with the stroke, and the head must be turned well to the right or to the lefty so that as the arm is passing the face m its downward pull, the air may enter the mouth. The practice of hieathing alone takes a considerable time, tor if one wishes to be able to stay, one must breathe regularly. ltis no use attempting swimming a distance by holding the breath; any exercise under such conditions must be harmful. , , “In order to learn how to make use of the legs correctly, the swum mcr should take hold or the 14 1 of the hath with one hand amt place the other about 18 inches below wall, ayid press the hoih upivaids, ta'kuuv cure to keep .the knees together and the thighs m lme wdll the bodv Then commence to laise S „„t Of the- J' «*» ” r f j& the middle ot the calf, and strike \ down suiantly on to the surface, immediately this foot ms stuick ti e water, the opposite leg should be similarly raised, and . a though at first these movements will access,nib he slowly performed, they should 1 continued until such time a., the swimmer can make reguiar y t me kicks without having to +lnnk < t what I>.« is actually doing, lhe ' vl< - > should he made part of. on e-self, .and iwilt not he wasted in doingthis, 'is once the kick is learnt, and one nets used to keeping the tingles in fin.- with the body, the chief difficulty or the stroke will be overcome. Aft,. tIR, le<r kick lias been acquired, the next thing is to get the anus to act in rn-onor time w'-Ul the legs, and, to the left hand When the right leg yS kiekino down, and so on, ■ (inn- the timing of the stroke has 1,,.,.,, r,.-cumid-shed, the nov.ee may ... proceed to lilt his arms above (he surface of the water as previously rleserihed. Of course, mitch will he necessary, for no cwinilil'.r stroke can he learnt in a h-cson. “I can well rememher when J ■ won his first chamnionshin. s-iid r was owing to 111 a,t o • ilv.-iiig" to these remarks he decided to iicquire the 'northern kick and he ■ > l’t iii'-iitlv '"I'l me that for ; x iniinll-s he daily hung pn to the side „f the hath to make himself efficient in +iu> moveineiit. I do not t,nnk it would take s-x acquire the crawl stroke, but t s.n.ply mentvi, the Net rn onler that the no* vice making the first attempts may (‘ini 1;:> discouraged.”