Educational Swimming

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 527, 3 December 1928, Page 8

Educational Swimming

MONEY SHORTAGE STOPS TUITION THE training of children in swimming, which has been accomplished with conspicuous success in Auckland for the past few years, will be restricted this summer on account of a shortage of money. It is hoped by the swimming authorities that the Government will be persuaded to appoint two instructors to covet the whole of the Dominion, training the teachers in this useful athletic sphere, and ensuring aquatic efficiency in the schools. Compulsory swimming classes also, have been suggested.

JUST as the fledging extends its wings and feels the rush of the light spring breeze, so do the children of Auckland greet the first glimpse of summer expectantly, and test the water with tender feet. Later they evolve through the “dog-paddle,” breast-stroke and over-arm, and finally emerge strong, sturdy and capable swimmers, frequently occupying useful places in life-saving teams. In the production of these efficient swim-

mers the clubs in Auckland have performed much solid ground-work since the war. It was the increasing prevalence of drowning accidents in all parts of New Zealand, together with a general need for physical improvement among the growing youth of the country, which persuaded the swimming authorities after the war to institute classes among the school children; and it is gratifying to reflect that the time and efforts expended in this tuition have been more than justified. The Ponsonby Swimming Club was the first organisation in the Dominion to secure the services of a professional instructor. The five schools in the district were included in a scheme of instruction started about six years ago, and on every afternoon during the three summer months of the year classes were held at the Shelly Beach baths, the City Council arranging for the use of the swimming pool free of charge. The Government, through the Ministry of Marine, made a capitation grant of £75 in the first year, and the members of the Ponsonby School Committee also, encouraged by the good work which they saw reflected in the physique and health of their children, undertook a welcome measure of financial help.

A championship was established I among the four State schools in the Ponsonby area, and certificates of proficiency and merit were given by the Swimming Centre for pupils qualifying under the club’s tuition. In addition the City Council granted a free pass for one season to the Parnell or Shelly Beach baths to every child under 14 years of age who could swim half a mile and qualify for the merit certificate. The Ponsonby Club then issued its own certificate for a 25yard swim, as it was found that beginners in the water did not possess sufficient confidence to undertake the 50-yard swim to qualify for a centre certificate, but they willingly and successfully entered for the shorter distance. Funds Exhausted During the six years of its paid instruction, the Ponsonby Club paid out £384 in tuition fees, and received in grants from various sources £ll2 12s Id, the remaining £261 being raised by the club’s efforts at carnivals and other functions. The schools championships cost £125 to run, and on account of bad weather the carnivals over the six years netted the meagre profit of £6. Before last summer the enthusiasm of the people in the district diminished, and the club, with funds exhausted, was compelled to abandon the regular instructions, although individual members are still using every effort to put children through their swimming lessons and qualify them for certificates. This club’s achievements, while perhaps the most notable in the Dominion, represent but one organised move toward the production of first-class swimmers. All over the country swimming clubs are doing their best in the training of youth in aquatic achievement. In Mount Eden the club is doing a work of influential magnitude, and many hundreds of children are learning to swim every season under the gratuitous guidance of Mr. H. Moore, 244 having been put through in the 1927 summer. Scheme to Train Teachers Now that Auckland has been convinced of the benefits of the children’s swimming classes, determined endeavours are being made to persuade the Government to appoint two instructors —one for each Island—whose duty it would be to train the teachers in the colleges, and have this knowledge passed on in turn to the children. A conference of swimming educational officers from all over New Zealand is to be held at Wellington on February 1 to consider the future of educational swimming, and it is hoped by the Auckland representative, Mr. L. Brighton, that a generous measure of State assistance will be forthcoming in future seasons. The classes at Shelly Beach baths have ended, and unless the people or the Government respond to the swimming club’s appeal, they must remain at a standstill. On the other hand, an organised response to the crying need for efficient swimmers will materially alter the athletic tenor of the schools, and incidentally raise the physical status of the nation.