SWIMMING.

Shannon News, 19 November 1929, Page 4

SWIMMING.

In the warmer and more northern districts and Auckland, swimming is already in full swing, and the enthusiasm shown in all centres augurs well far the future of the sport in New Zealand.

The effort pat forward by tlio controlling body for compulsory training in schools is a worthy one, and although perhaps. not a great deal has ye/t eventuated from it, the early training of the. youngsters will play a big part in raising the standard of swimming in the Dominion. The system of issuing certificates to school children is a good one, and since its inauguration, a few years ago, 90,000 certificates for proficiency have been issued. Those issued last year .alone, numbered somewhere in the vicinity of 16,000.

Greymouth will be the centre for the Dominion championships this year, and as a result swimming on the West Coast should benefit accordingly. In New Plymouth, the baths have been very busy and this is probably accounted for by the warm sea water used in the baths. Value of the Stroke. It is interesting to recall the remarks made by- D. P. Lindsay, on his return from the Olympic Games, when asked to express an opinion on tlio strokes used by the stars of other countries in eoanparison with New Zealand swimmers. . Lindsay stated that wc did not

appear to have anything to learn in that direction. The manner of strokes varied considerably, some of the styles used appearing to be crude and not in keeping with what we have been taught was the correct method or necessary for success. However, these swimmers got results, which led him to believe that the stroke was not so allimportant as we imagined. Zorilla, the 400 metres champion, used a stroke that was at variance with the "book” method, as did several others, yet it did not impair their speed. It all seemed a matter of stamina, and no doubt relaxation was of great importance also. The foregoing remarks would tend to show that a further step forward is being made in the science of speed swimming, and while the matter raised is probably open to argument, there can be no doubt , that results have been achieved, and for that reason the information given in this column as likely to be of interest to readers. Australian Swimmers.

The New Zealand Council has forwarded the following tentative itinerary of the appearance of the Australian swimmers Noel Ryan and Reg Greer:— Auckland, December 4 and 5; Whangarei, December 6; Paeroa, December 9; To Awamutu, December 10; Cambridge December II; Gisborne, December 14 and 16; Napier, December 17; Hastings, December 18; Palmerston North, December 19; Wellington, December 20 and 21; Nelson, December 23; Hokitika, December 26; Greymouth, December 27; Ashburton, December 28;

Christchurch, December 30; Wanganui, January 1; Hawera, January 2;'Feilding, January 3; Wellington, January 4; Carterton, January 6; Mastorton, January 7; Lower Hutt, January 9. The swimmers will .leave for Sydney on January 10.'

Here and There. Andrew Charlton, better known to followers of swimming ns "Boy,” has been compelled, owing to illness, to give the sport up for five years. As Charlton is now 23, this will probably mean that he is finished as far as com'petition swimming is concerned. Charlton attained fame very young, and caused a sensation in 1924, by establishing world’s records over the 1,000 and 1,5000 metres distances and sensationally defeating Arno Borg of Sweden. He also represented Australia at the Olympic Games, an 1924 and 1928. Strength of Clubs. Returns furnished at the Auckland Centre’s meeting last week of the membership strength of the seven Auckland clubs revealed that there were 1068 members last sea,son. The Mount Eden Club headed the list with a total of 211 members. Training in Wellington. Training activities are in full swing in Wellington, Miss Kathleen , Miller and J. W. Cameron being two of the leading swimmers who are settling down to strenuous work. Miss Miller

may make this her last season and she intends to endeavour to .create fresh-re-cords. She is particularly keen to add the 220yds. free-style stroke to her credit, this being the only middle-dis-tance standard that has so far not yielded to her onslaughts. It will be interesting to see if Cameron will succeed in eclipsing his lOOyds record this season. This will be his second season as a senior and so he should not have yet attained his zenith. Cameron will have plenty of opportunities to test his capabilities. In addition to the competition of the "Wellington and Dominion Champion ships he will be pitted against Reg. Grier, the Australian sprint champion, in Wellington and in Auckland. As present indications are that there is no swimmer locally capable of extending Grier, it is quite probable that Cameron will be brought up to oppose him. Cameron will find it a difficult task to triumph over Grier, whose Australian record for lOOyds. is one second faster than his best time.