Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-09-03

In a carnival Of water sports which
will be on a larger scale than anything
ever attempted at Piedmont park, the
swimming championships of the 1912
season will be determined this after
noon in series of events of various
distances, arranged so that there will be
entries for the men. women and boys
who have spent their afternoons this
summer enjoying the water sports.
This season will be brought to a close
within two weeks and the lake at
Piedmont. which has been filled each
day with happy throng of Atlantans
clad in bathing suits of every color and
hue. soon will be as deserted as an
abandoned summer resort
The scores OF pretty girls who have
found health and pleasure learning to
swim in the lake and who have proved
an attraction for hundreds of visitors
TO the park will soon be dropping back
10 the bridge tables and theaters.
Women to Race For Prize.
Men and boys who have found a
healthful tan this summer and lost the
wan look of the city dWeiIel will be
once more back at the Office and shop
in tine winter time rush and struggle
for a livelihood. while the lake waits
for the coming of another year
1t was first planned to ho,d the
swimming contests on September 10,
the day on which all bathing ana swim
mag at the lake will be discontinued
for tho season. but the idea was sug
gested that the events be held today as
part Of the exercises in honor of La
Dor day
There are many Atlanta women who
came to the lake this summer as eX-
pert swimmers and found themselves
able to compete creditably in diving
and swimming with the men. Other
women have developed into experts
through constant daily practice after
they learned the stroke. The winner
IN the Women's free-for-al this after
noon, which is to be for a distance. of
% yards, will receive q handsome piece
Of cut glass as a prize.
Various prizes were thought of as the
most appropriate for the Women's event
under whose direction the events are
held. put the matter to n vote when a
score Of fair bathers were discussing
whether they would enter the Women's
contest Some one made the sugges-
ton that any woman would swim for a
piece of cut glass. and one of Atlanta
merchants offered to donate the prize.
Cup Prize in Mems Contest.
For the man or boy who can make
The greatest number of points in the
PiN contests for men a inch
lilver loving cup is offered. The pres
Cntation of this cup carries with it the
award Of the title of supreme champion
of the lake for the entire season, and
there are more than a score of men and
boys who believe they should hold it.
Nearly every man contesting will
have chance for an individual prize,
as the distances Of the various swim
ming events are arranged to give a
chance to those who are best on long
sWims and to those whose speciality is
the short and speedy dash through the
water. The mems races will start with
a half-milc swim and will end with the
shortest route, - yards. Included in
these will be a 1OO-yard swim and a
50-yard swim.
For the younger boys who want to
compete among themselves and feel
that they have a chance to struggle
against their equal in muscles and
years swimming event of % yards
will be held.
Il. Ill II Z
more laughter than any other contest
and arouses more of the pride and dar-
ing of the boyish contestants. is the
fitting contest between two boys IN
boats Like knights of old in joust'
the lads are armed with long lances
and endeavor to unseat each other
While just as exciting, and far more
ludicrous than the contests held III
medieval times when two knights clad
in heavy mail fought for love or honor
before their "ladyes faire," these mod
en "jousts" are far less dangerous.
Ducking For Loser.
The only mishap that can befall a
contestant is a dip into the waters OF
the lake, and as the required suit is a
bathing costume. no damage is done
when one contesta falls, Great skill
mas been acquired by many of the laos
10 the life-saving corps in keeping a
footing on the bow of their boats and
their respective oarsmen have also de-
Naloped a friendly spirit of rivalry in
maneuvering for the proper angle at
which the boats shall pass each other
The bathers at the lake have remem-
oeFed the two life savers under whose
"atchful eyes they have felt safe this
summer and two gold medals have been
purchased for them. They will be pre-
sented this afternoon, at the conclusion
OF the events, to c. r. McDermott and
l.. 4. Carraway in token Of the appre-
cation Of the thousands of swimmers
VINO have been under their care this
summer. The medals will be suitably
Engraved with the names of the life
savers and with a suitable testimonial
Too their skill and fitness
IA. first contest will be started
promptly at $3.50 o'clock and members