“THE HUMAN FISH”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 181, 21 October 1927, Page 10

“THE HUMAN FISH”

MIGHTY WEISMULLER A UCKLANDER 'S IMPRESSIONS ADAMSON'S BRIGHT FUTURE (By EIGHT BE AT) rpo cover ten yards in a starting dive, and to come out seven yards from a turn are among the amazing things that Johnny Weismuller, the great American sicimmer, does in a swimming pool.

SOME interesting facts concerning the champion sprint swimmer of the world re contained In a letter received from A. I>. Adamson, winner

last year of the New Zealand 100yds championship, who is now living in San Francisco. Adamson states that he witnessed Weissmuller do the 100yds in the record time of 51 2-5, and that he has never seen a more beautiful exhibition. To quote an American writer: “His mighty 51 2-5 effort in the 100yds was a symphony of muscular co-ordination, magnificent exhibition of intelligently applied energy, a terrific pace well sustained, the performance of a great champion.” Weissmuller, who stands 6ft 4in in his bare feet, never ceases training, winter or summer. lie has no time to get stale, and is always at practice over his favourite distances. ADAMSON DOING WELL Swimmers of Auckland will be delighted to know that Adamson is doing well as a member of the Olympic Club, and that he is being specially coached by Tom Whittaker, official coach for the club. In his opinion Adamson has the makings of a champion, and the Aucklander is being carefully instructed in the art of turning and starting. Ho started in the 100yds Pacific Coast championship and swam into second place, a touch behind the winner, and the time was 57sec. This would point to the fact that Adamson has already improved, as his fastest time here was 59 2-5, and another thing, before one can become a member of the Olympic Club lie has to break 59 over 100yds. “Eightbeat” can predict Adamson startling everyone with his abilities before he is much older. It is rather interesting to know that the swimming races are conducted on Sundays in San Francisco, that evidently being the only day on which the crowds are entirely free. And

Dog v. Horse The tin-hare craze in Britain has aroused the old controversy as to whether the greyhound is speedier than the thoroughbred horse (says a “Sydney Bulletin” writer). The fastest time made by a hound at the new game is 28sec for 500 yards, at Manchester. The dog is named Tall Oak.

f they certainly do patronise the sport. There are the swimmers, of course, | champions most of them, but a bigger interest by New Zealanders would help the sport out of sight. Another thing about the swimming at ’Frisco is that there are no handicap events. Each and every one is a scratch race, and the interest is maintained throughout. A WORD ABOUT WATER POLO It is noticeable also that water polo is always played last on the programmes there and in other States, and that brings to mind the all-import-ant question which is near to the hearts of many Auckland swimmers. The complaint was made at the annual meeting of the Waitemata Amateur Swimming Club that water polo would not be a success this season. That, of course, depends solely on the players. Last season water polo was played first on the programmes for some time, and later made the Inst event of the night. “Eightbeat” *onsiders that the latter position is the only place to have water polo. It cannot be expected that the public will take an interest in the game if played as it was last year. Many of the players want to have it first on the programme, but, when swimmers take part in it, and then come out to fulfil racing engagements, they are not giving their best to the public who are in attendance to see good racing. The complaints of lack of interest on the part of the public are not wholly unfounded. The majority of people will come along when champions ere engaged, or when they can be sure of . some interesting swimming, but if they can’t get this they will not be attracted. Water polo is a most interesting game if played properly, and if it conforms to the rules of sportsmanship. Last season there was a lamentable lack of ; the latter quality in many of the games, and the sporting public liked it not. Play water polo by all means, but play the game. Give the public some good swimming, then place two good teams in the water and the public will not walk out. Most of the clubs have now held their annual meetings, and the new ( season will soon be in full swing. Sev-

oral swimmers who aim to get away to the New Zealand championships in Dunedin are settling down to serious training, and whichever club stages the first carnival should provide an excellent programme.

Horses don’t run that distance, but Gloaming covered four furlongs in 45 sec. On his time for the 500 yards, the hound travelled 440 in 24.645ec, which is not far behind Gloaming’s record halved. All the same, if Gloaming were back in the business there would be a ton of money to say he could beat any dog breathing in a furlong race, let alene two furlongs.