Story: Swimming

Young swimmers, Whanganui, 1918

Young swimmers, Whanganui, 1918

The first national junior swimming championships were held in Wellington in 1917. The following year an expanded championship meeting took place at Whanganui, and intermediate and senior events were introduced for school children up to the age of 17. This photograph shows the swimmers, teachers and officials of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. In the front row, third and second from right, are Violet Walrond and Gwitha Shand, who came first and second respectively in the junior girls' 50 yards. A few years later Violet was New Zealand's first female Olympian.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Making New Zealand Centennial Collection (PAColl-3060)
Reference: F-992-1/4-MNZ
Photograph by B. O'Neill

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

John McBeth, 'Swimming - Local competition', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/40209/young-swimmers-whanganui-1918 (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by John McBeth, published 5 Sep 2013, updated 27 Jan 2015