Swimming Boom

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 305, 16 March 1928, Page 11

Swimming Boom

Aucklanders in Form RECENT CARNIVALS REVIEWED NEW STARS ON HORIZON (By “Eightbeat.”) In spite of the shadows cast over Auckland swimming by troubles on the Centre and the closing of the Parnell Baths, quite a boom in the sport has been experienced in the past week or two. After the slack period following the championships it comes as a welcome change. The Mount Eden Club's gala on Monday night was one of the best yet seen. There were record entries, and the attendance rivalled the best seen ,at a gala this season. The swimming ! was of a high standard, and some ex- | cellent contests were witnessed. There were several swimmers who impressed as being likely to shine next season. Chief among them was Miss P. Robertson, of Parnell, who won the 100 yards women’s handicap from the Ssec. mark. Competing against tried and proved swimmers in Misses M. Bell and D. Grant this young swimmer showed the way throughout. She possesses a most attractive style, and uses her arms and legs with due regard to correctness. Miss Robertson is a comparative newcomer, but she j has the speed and the ability, and ; should quickly find herself among the i top-notchers if she perseveres with her • swimming. Miss o. Thompson, the junior breaststroke champion, is showing decidedly more pace, and will make a good successor to Miss G. Pidgeon, who is to retire after this season. When the time comes for Miss Thomson to enter the senior grade she should be well up the ladder to success. CUNNOLD IN FORM E. V. Cunnold was in it again, and swimming like the champion he surely is. He conceded lOOsec. in the 800 yards handicap and in the first heat swam in a winner as he liked. It is a treat to watch Viv gliding through the water for half a mile just as though it were 100 yards. His swim was a popular one, and he should have a royal chance of winning the final, which will be decided at the next carnival. The Mount Eden Club appears to have found a coming man in D. Soloman. This swimmer showed out to great advantage, and won the 66 2-3

yards handicap in great style. He, toe, is a newcomer who will have to be watched. A bit ragged in action, he has room for improvement, but that will come with practice. « L. Fairgray had to move to beat .T. Enwright in the 50 yards Auckland i championship, and the finish was so

close that “Eightbeat” was glad he was not the judge. The veteran, Enwright, made a great start, but Fairgray came on with his speedy movement as the Pair were level at the touch. Then came the race for home. It was a rattling good finish. R. Sellars, the Helensville crack, raced well, and was finishing fast just behind the leaders. At the Waitemata carnival on Tuesday, K. K. Sylow was the star performer. His effort over the 220 yards breast-stroke course was a brilliant one. Sylow can now be classed as one of the finest breast-stroke swimmers yet seen in the Dominion. He lowered the fresh-water record by I-5s and the salt-water record by 5 4-ss, a truly remarkable performance. A newcomer from Kawhia, R. Aubin, on the 35s mark, won the 440 yards handicap in a convincing manner. This swimmer shows nice style, and appears to have plenty of reserve power. He is a decided acquisition to Auckland. In the second heat of this race A. E. Baird started, but he had only proceeded about 200 yards when he withdrew. Up to this time he was swimming with his old dash and style, and it was extremely unfortunate that his internal malady forced him to retire. Baird was showing a return to his former speed, and swam a great race on Monday at Mount Eden to get second in the 66 2-3 yards handicap. Another young swimmer who ma(k an impression was R. Ashby. He swam a commendable race in the 440 yards, and gives promise of better things to come. All these swimmers are beginning to come to light when the season is about finished, but should they strike the same form next season, ‘it should be something worth waiting for.