AMATEUR SWIMMING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 February 1939, Page 7

AMATEUR SWIMMING

FINE SPORT LAST EVENING MASTERTON CLUE! EV-ENTS. EXHIBITION DIVES BY NORMAN DYER. With a beautifully calm and clear evening the Masterton Amateur Swim-

ming Club staged last night, in connection with the Keep Fit Week 1 campaign, the most successful club night that has been seen in this town. Under the guidance of club officials, all events were decid-

ed right up to time, and the spectators were treated to a splendid evening’s entertainment. One of the highlights of the programme was an exhibition of some 30 dives by Mr Norman Dyer. Australian Empire and Olympic diving champion. Mr Dyer was brought to Masterton from Wellington by the local club for the express purpose of this exhibition, and the club is to be heartily congratulated on its enterprise in this direction. Certainly a large number of his dives were quite new to Masterton people, and, judging by the rounds of applause the dives were appreciated by the huge crowd present. Included in his repertoire were an isander, with half screw, which is recognised as the most difficult dive; back somersaults, with pike; 14 forward somersaults; Molbergs and backward spring forwards. Every dive was executed with what seemed a minimum of effort and a wonderful degree of efficiency. It is a pity that this clean and healthy sport must be forced to carry on locally in baths so poorly equipped to handle a large number of spectators. It is understood that the local council has preparation well under way for the construction of new baths that will indeed be a credit to the town. Miss Elsie Donald and Miss Jean Fowler gave the most appreciative public a really wonderful display of life saving and trick swimming. Their grace of movement and excellence of performance was indeed remarkable. These two ladies are controlling practically the whole of the Learn to Swim Week activities in connection with girls and women and are to be most heartily commended for their unselfish devotion of valuable time to learners of swimming. Mr N. Dyer and A. N. Other amused those present for a few minutes with trick, fancy and absurd diving and swimming. The touch of humour was readily appreciated by the spectators. The following are results of the events: —■ 25yds junior boys’ balloon race: J. Baker 1. E. Harrington 2. E. Christie 3.; 25yds junior girls' balloon race: A. I Stains 1. B. Mayhew 2, L. Ross 3. 50yds dual relay, (1 man and 1 lady): Miss J. Gray and D. Jenkin (Bsec) 1; Miss J. Betts anc| F. Milne (2sec) 2: Miss'P. Andrews and V. McKeague (2 sec) 3. 75yds .intermediate medley: A. Pinfold (6sec) 1; T. Major (scr) 2; D. Cairns (ssoc) 3. 50yds invitation scratch freestyle: D. O'Connor 1; J. Yule 2; F. Bodie 3. 100yds breaststroke open handicap: G. C. Gaze (lOsec) 1; N. Faulknor (2 sec) 2; F. Lee (6sec) 3. Time, Imin 39 sec. Open Dive: V. McKeague 1; E. Braggins and H, Dixon, equal 2; Miss Stains

100yds open freestyle: Jim Barnes 1; D. Stewart 2; L. Macguire 3. Interhouse relay: Eketahuna (Rossiter, Jago. Moorehouse and Goggins) 1; C.V.A. (Miss Hopkins, J. Yule, Pinfold and Lawrence) 2; State Milk Babies (R. Faulknor, L. Dean, D. Minifie, and W. Ryan) 3. It was very gratifying to 'see the large number of entries in this event. Teams were also entered from C. E. Daniel Ltd, W. F. C. A.. Reliance Tyres. Times-Age, St John’s Ambulance. Hugo and Shearers and the Public Trust. A water polo match between Eketahuna and Masterton was played for the Polo Shield, Masterton winning by two goals to nil. The Eketahuna team was Jago, Moorehouse, Howden, Goggins, Littler, Low and Rossiter. Masterton i Club was represented by O’Connor. Major, McGuire. Stewart, Milne, Faulk-1 nor, and Gaze. Referee: Mr G. Barr'. At the conclusion of the sports, local club members entertained at supper the visiting swimmers from Eketahuna and Carterton. In moving a hearty vote of thanks to the visitors, Mr H. P. Glen, club president, said it was indeed graL ifying to see the support their sister clubs were giving. The Eketahuna captain and Mr R. Lawrence, of Carterton Club, suitably responded. The evening was brought to a close with musical honours for the lady members of the supper committee.