Among the Swimmers

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 157, 23 September 1927, Page 11

Among the Swimmers

PROSPECTS FOR 1927-28 SEASON Auckland’s Strong Position (By “EIGHT BEAT.'') AUCKLAND emerged again last year as the premier swimming centre of New Zealand, and easily retained possession of the coveted Yaldhurst Shield. With the near approach of the 1927-28 season all eyes will be on our representatives.

PROM all indications it would appear that the ranks of the swimmers in Auckland will be well filled again this season, and that teams as strong as last season will be ready to race for championship honours, at the New Zealand championships to be held in Dunedin in January next. But the task this season will present more difficulties than was the case last year. It is quite apparent that swimmers will have to settle down to serious work when once the season is under way. Canterbury, Wellington and Wanganui ca.n now boast the fastest distance and sprint men in New Zealand, and the vast improvement shown at last cham-

pionships by the visitors has only to be further advanced and Auckland’s chances will be slight. In the departure, some time ago, of A. D. Adamson, the 100yds champion of New Zealand, Auckland lost a decidedly good man. His race last January when he wrested the title from the record holder, N. Dowsett, Wanganui, will not be forgotten in a hurry. Now he has gone, L. Fairgray remains as the most likely to be able to trouble Dowsett. Fairgray has always been a consistent swimmer, and every year has been in the first three at the finish of the 100yds. J. Enwright can also be looked to for a good showing over this distance, but we will be watching Fairgray here. BAIRD TO RACE AGAIN

It will be good news to swimmers that A. E. Baird, ex-distance champion of New Zealand, is taking up swimming again this season. It will be remembered that Baird collapsed during the mile championship event in January, and, as he was swimming against medical advice, that compelled him to retire for the rest of the season. Of course it must be admitted that it will take something to beat D. P. Lindsay’s record-breaking swims, but it will be remembered, too, that during the mile championship, Baird was swimming stroke for stroke with the champion for over 300yds, and he was then, unwell. Had he been fit the finish of that event and other distance races may have been quite different. Baird has only to strike form and he may be relied upon to be a serious rival to any distance man in New Zealand. Even then one cannot forget Rix-Trott, of Wellington. He is a swimmer who will yet spring a surprise, and if he is any better than he was at the championships he will have a say in the settlement of all events he enters for.

In the senior grade here L. Fairgray, J. Enwright, E. V. Cunnold and Gr. Bridson, the latter who moves up from the intermediate division this season, are all swimmers who have always ably represented Auckland. Cunnold is the man who will shine over the distances and he is one of the few now in training. As an intermediate Bridson had no peer. He was brilliant, and his inclusion in the senior division will be watched with interest. The

longer the distance

the better Bridson seemed to like it, md his records last season placed him as the fastest intermediate in the Dominion. Enwright, :he veteran of the sport, is a consistent starter, and one never knows what le will do once he gets moving in the water. J. Meikle is another senior who must be mentioned. He was always prominent and should he be in

form he will be an asset to the competitive events. Among the intermediate boys R. Sellars, Hellensville, and J. Magee are the most likely. These two boys were swimming well toward the end of the season, Sellars being especially prominent. In the junior grade J. Burt seems to be the most promising, although it must be remembered that both the intermediate and junior ranks may see a great number of additions, and if that is so then competition will be keener and something startling may come to light. There are some good boys coming on, but it will take a torpedo to shatter Leslie Olds’s phenomenal records. MISS STOCKLEY’S RIVALS The girls should provide some interesting swimming, and Miss Ena Stockley, 100yds. champion, will have to look to her laurels. At the championships she was hard-pressed to gain that title, and there are one or two ladies very keen to wrest it from her. Chief among these is Miss D. Magee, who improved out of sight last year, and who is coming back from Australia to make a bid for championship honours. Miss M. Farquhar will be another who will be in the limelight as well as Miss Jean Bell, who seems to improve each season. Miss Piri Page is fast over the 100yds., but she is also good over distance events. Miss L. Coutts and Miss D. Grant are also consistent swimmers who will have something to say in the matter before the season closes. In the intermediate grade Misses B. Hanlon, E. Champion, S. Brown, M. Bell, and J. Ridings are the most prominent. Miss Hanlon was giving a good account of herself last season, as was Miss M. Bell. Miss E. Champion will have to be watched, as illness compelled her to withdraw from most of her entries last year. There

are a number of junior girls who will later be in the water, and a better idea of their qualifications will then be gained. On the whole Auckland has an excellent chance with its representatives, and all are eager for the summer to arrive so that earnest practice may be indulged in. As was the case last year, this coming season offers unlimited oportunities for surprises. The writer learns with regret that Miss Gladys Pidgeon, New Zealand breaststroke champion and recordholder is retiring after this season. It seems a pity that Miss Pidgeon did not have more of her own sex to compete against, and that if she wanted a race it had always to be with the men. Miss Pidgeon has been a worthy representative for Auckland, and her forthcoming retirement, while wholly deserved, will be regretted. It would be a good idea if the Auckland centre could persuade Miss Pidgeon to act as instructress for a season or two and bring on some of the ladies in the breaststroke, for there must be plenty who could take it up and keep the title in Auckland.

Next month promises to be a busy one with the clubs, and the Auckland centre holding their annual meetings. It is learned that the Mount Eden Club will this year hold a much stronger position than it did last year, and this comes as welcome news. The Waitemata Club held premier position last season and for seasons before, but stronger inter-club competition would be better for the sport. It is to be hoped that the Grammar and Parnell Clubs will obtain more support this year and be able to stage more carnivals than was possible last season. As soon as the swimming season is under way weekly notes and comments will be written by “Eight Beat.” The column so conducted will be. in the interests of swimming and swimmers, and criticism and correspondence will be welcomed.