SAND DIVERS

Risks Off the Tower

OCEAN BATHS DANGER

(By W. F. Corbett)

Newcastle should possess the only troupe of dry-land divers in the world if the sand under the new tower at the Ocean Baths continues to pile up. If dredging is not commenced soon it may be found necessary to set up a casualty ward in the enclosure. The tower, of which the municipal authorities are justly proud, is about 30 feet high but, unfortunately, the divers can depend upon going down no farther than six feet in the water, and' then it is a full stop -against a sandbank. The sand, it was reported, is forced into the Ocean Baths by storms, and it that nothing short of a broken neck will awaken the council to the danger. It is quite likely to happen at any moment. A number of young men have flattened their faces on the sandy rising. They did not try it again. But there have been more serious casualties.

Fred Ruthven of the Mosman Club, who took part in the recent carnivals in the northern city, cut his face.

Harry Morris, the Victorian diver, who also competed In Sydney, broke one of his thumbs.

On Saturday a lad, nearly buried his head in the sand and almost bit his tongue in halves.

 BEGINNERS' DARING

"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread," and of course the novices, without much thought of the sandbank, seek a full share of the fun off the tower. That is why it is feared there may be a serious accident. Experienced divers are able to "ball up" before they strike the water.

Even then, as in the cases of Ruthven and Morris, there is a risk.

The secretary of the N.S.W.A.S.A., Mr. Les Duff, who accompanied the Sydney swimmers to Newcastle last week, stated emphatically that the shoal constituted a grave danger. "I warned the council," he said, "and now the entire responsibility rests with them."

Certainly, if there is a fatality the council will be alone to blame. Is half a day's dredging more than Newcastle can afford?

However, Newcastle's baths are not unique in this respect. The water under the tower in the antiquated structure at Manly is sometimes not as deep as it should be. A member of the State diving troupe told me last season that he was frequently nervous on the tower at low tide because of a muddy bank, not very far down.

 CAUSE FOR WONDER

"He remarked that It was a wonder to him somebody had, not been injured seriously, adding that the baths should have been dredged long ago. And only last Saturday a young man informed me that he had occasionally thrust his hands into the bank.

Diving from a platform, 30 feet high, should not be a hazardous feat."

CLUB EVENTS

The busy State carnival season is over in Sydney, and the clubs henceforth will decide their usual events. Pyrmont, however, expect an exciting night to-morrow when the annual gala is to be held.

Sam Kahanamoku is still In Melbourne, but special arrangements have been made for him. to swim at Albury on February 28 and Goulburn on March 2. The 220 yards State title race will be swum at Goulburn. On March. 4, the Hawaiian will appear at Wellington.

The Sun (Sydney, NSW: 1910 - 1954) Tue 10 Feb 1925 Page 5

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