Academic literature on the topic 'Swimmers Australia'

Background Surfing and swimming are two popular outdoor aquatic activities in Australia with an estimated 2.7 million surfers and three million swimmers; however, these activities are associated with intermittent exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Our aim was to determine the point prevalence of pre-skin cancer (actinic keratosis (PSC)), non-melanoma (NMSC) and melanoma skin cancers (MSC) in Australian surfers and swimmers. Methods This cross-sectional study involved Australian surfers who completed a survey that included physiological demographics, aquatic activity-specific demographics, history of skin cancer followed by screening. Results A total of 171 surfers (n = 116) and swimmers (n = 55) participated in the study. Both groups were identified as having a history of skin cancer (surfers 41.4%, swimmers 36.4%) and a family history of skin cancer (surfers 52.6%, swimmers 43.6%). The majority of both groups reported using a high percentage of a chemical or physical skin cancer prevention strategy (surfers 100%, Swimmers 92.7%, P = 0.003). Significantly more surfers were identified with a skin cancer of any type vs. swimmers (50% vs. 27.3%; OR 2.67; P = 0.005) with most the common skin cancer being PSC (44.7% vs. 11.3%, P = 0.076) followed by basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (24.2% vs. 7.6%, P = 0.068). There was a total of seven MSC identified in surfers and swimmers (4.6% vs. 0.8%, respectively, P = 0.137). Most skin cancers in surfers were located on the face (28.0%) followed by the arm and back (12.1% each), whereas in swimmers, the majority of skin cancers were identified on the face (17.3%), followed by the arm and lower leg (15.4% each). The highest number of melanomas were identified in surfers (n = 6) and mainly located on the face (n = 2) and back (n = 2). There was a single melanoma identified on the back in a swimmer. With the groups combined, the majority (42.9%) of melanomas were identified on the back in participants, followed by the face (28.6%). Rates per 100,000 of NMSC and MSC in surfers and swimmers (respectively) were BCC (11,206 vs. 14,545), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ (13,793 vs. 12,727), SCC (1,724 vs. 3,636) and MSC (5,172 vs. 1,818). When compared to the general Australian population, surfers and swimmers had higher odds ratios (OR), which included BCCs (OR 7.3 and 9.4, respectively), SCCs (OR 1.7 and 3.5, respectively) and MSC (OR 96.7 and 18.8, respectively). Conclusion Surfers and swimmers had consistently higher rates of PSC, NMSC and MSC than the general Australian population. Point prevalence of MSC (groups combined) was 76-fold higher than the general Australian population. These findings highlight the clinical importance of regular skin cancer screenings in individuals who surf or swim for early detection and treatment of skin cancer. Additionally, these aquatic enthusiasts should be advised of the benefits of sun protection strategies such as chemical and physical barriers to reduce the likelihood of developing skin cancer.

This study examined the influence the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Sport Supplement Program had on supplement practices of elite Australian swimmers, comparing those guided by the Program with others in the same national team. Thirty-nine elite swimmers (13 AIS, 26 Other; 20 female, 19 male; age 21.8 ± 3.3 y) completed a questionnaire investigating supplement use. Ninety-seven percent of swimmers reported taking supplements or sports foods over the preceding 12 months. AIS swimmers reported using more total brands (p = .02) and supplements considered Ergogenic (p = .001) than Other swimmers who used more supplements considered to be lacking scientific support (p = .028). Swimmers rated the risk of a negative outcome from the use of supplements available in Australia (Mdn = 3.0) as less than the risk of supplements from international sources (Mdn = 4.0; p < .001). AIS swimmers were more likely to report dietitians (p < .001) and sports physicians (p = .017) as advisors of their supplement use. Other swimmers more frequently reported fellow athletes as a source of supplement advice (p = .03). AIS swimmers sourced a greater percentage of their supplements from an organized program (94 ± 16%) compared with Other (40 ± 32%; p < .001) who sourced a greater percentage (30 ± 30%) of their dietary supplements from supermarkets. These findings suggest that swimmers influenced by this sport supplement program more frequently use supplements that are recommended by allied health trained individuals, classified as evidence based and provided by the program.

Media coverage in China and Australia examined a conflict between 2 Olympic swimmers, Chinese Sun Yang and Australian Mack Horton, during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. While both swimmers performed well, there were several conflicts between the 2 leading to both nations’ media coverage portraying the foreign athlete negatively. An analysis of 398 print-media articles revealed there were sharp differences between the 2 nations in both the amount of coverage and the valence of the information sources. From a theoretical perspective, the framing of this conflict showed an “us vs. them” dichotomy, suggesting that both countries’ coverage was strongly influenced to protect the reputation and honor of the home athlete. Coverage in both nations was markedly different, suggesting a home-nation favoritism. Implications for sport communicators are discussed.

Many athletes report using a wide range of special sports foods and supplements. In the present study of 77 elite Australian swimmers, 99% of those surveyed reported the use of these special preparations, with 94% of swimmers reporting the use of non-food supplements. The most popular dietary supplements were vitamin or mineral supplements (used by 94% of the group), herbal preparations (61%), and creatine (31%). Eighty-seven percent of swimmers reported using a sports drink or other energy-providing sports food. In total, 207 different products were reported in this survey. Sports supplements, particularly supplements presented as pills or other non-food form, are poorly regulated in most countries, with little assurance of quality control. The risk of an inadvertent “positive doping test” through the use of sports supplements or sports foods is a small but real problem facing athletes who compete in events governed by anti-doping rules. The elite swimmers in this survey reported that information about the “doping safety” of supplements was important and should be funded by supplement manufacturers. Although it is challenging to provide such information, we suggest a model to provide an accredited testing program suitable for the Australian situation, with targeted athlete education about the “sports safety” of sports supplements and foods.

In the decades around Australian Federation in 1901, a number of Pacific Islanders gained prominence in aquatic sport on the beaches and in the pools of Sydney in particular. Two swimmers, brothers Alick and Edward (Ted) Wickham from the Solomon Islands, were especially prominent. This article examines racial constructions of these athletes by the Australian press. Given the existence of well-entrenched negative racial stereotypes about Pacific Islanders, and legislative manifestations of the White Australia policy that sought to deport and exclude Islanders, racially negative portrayals of the Wickhams might have been expected in the press. Instead, newspapers constructed these men in largely positive terms, idealising the supposedly natural ability of Islanders in water and reifying an aquatic Nimble Savage stereotype. While largely contained to a few individuals, this nonetheless powerful press construction presented an alternative perspective to the prevailing negative stereotypes.

In elite pool swimmers competing at world class level, mainly athletes from the United States of America and Australia are dominating. Little is known, however, for the nationality of dominating swimmers in elite open-water long-distance swimming races such as the official FINA races over 5 km, 10 km and 25 km—held since 2000. The aim of this study was to investigate the participation and performance trends by nationality of these elite open-water swimmers. Race results from all female and male swimmers competing in 5 km, 10 km and 25 km FINA races between 2000 and 2020 were analyzed. A total of 9819 swimmers competed between 2000 and 2020 in these races. The five countries that figure most times among the top ten in 5 km, 10 km and 25 km races over the years were Italy, Germany, Russia, Brazil and the Netherlands. In 10 km races, considering the all the athletes from each country, male athletes from Germany, Italy, and France presented faster race times than the other countries. In 10 km, female athletes presented no significant difference among the countries. In 5 and 25 km races, there were no differences between countries, for male and female athletes. Moreover, comparing only the 10 best results (top 10) from each country, there were no differences between countries in 5 km, 10 km and 25 km, for male and female athletes. Men were faster than women for all three distances. In summary, male swimmers from Europe (i.e., Germany, Italy, France) are dominating the 10 km FINA races. In the 5 km and 25 km FINA races, there is no dominating nationality, but among the top five countries in the top 10 over the years, three are European countries.

Commercial swim programs with the dwarf minke whale Balaenoptera ?acutorostrata occur seasonally (primarily June - July) within the Cairns and Far Northern sections of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Marine Park. Observations of whale-swimmer interactions over five seasons indicate that initiation and maintenance of contact with vessel and swimmers is largely voluntary and thus the swim programs can comply with the general principle that the whales control the initiation and nature of interactions. Preliminary data on within-season (13 whales in 1999) and between year (four whales from 1999 in 2000, 2001) re-sightings within the study area suggest that any impacts from swim programs may affect a particular subset of the population. The extent of possible cumulative effects can be assessed by continuation of the existing photo and video-ID program. No signs of aggression have been documented but some behaviour (bubble blasts, jaw gape) could be considered as threat display. More detailed analysis of behaviour is necessary to monitor such behaviour. A risk analysis is given for aspects of the interactions, with suggested research to monitor such risks.

So this study aims to explore and examine the future development and prospects of the Chinese Swimming League. This study provides some novel approaches to quantifying; the first is to analyze the current situation of the Chinese swimming team and why China's swimming strength is not as good as that of the US and Australia teams. What can we learn from them?t. Second, collect the number of prize winners in current China's key leagues, analyze how to do better in the next competition, and learn other countries' strategies. The third is to compare the training ways of the Chinese swimming team with other countries swimming. Moreover, providing suggestions to promote swimming in the school or society to train more outstanding swimmers. Although the history of the Chinese Swimming League is not long, there is a measureless development space in the future. It still takes time and relatively strives to catch up with the world's first-place swimming team. Everyone firmly believes that Chinese swimmers will achieve better results in major international games in the next few years.

In this article the dynamics of the rating of command performances of strongest swimmers-students according to the results of receiving prize-winning among men and women, participants-winners of the final Universiade in Naples-2019. Swimmers-winners, who won gold medals for men (900 points) and women (881) in “points” equivalent almost indistinguishable (19 points). We determine the ranking of team performance of different countries in the representatives of different sex in the distances of sports swimming according to the results of winning the medals at the start of XXX World Universiade in Naples-2019. The authors' collective was studied: a) revealing the ranking in the performance of team performance of male and female swimmers at the start of the World Universiade-2019; b) introduction of the results of the study into the practice of physical education and sports in order to identify an objective rating of the success of the team performance of swimmers-students. In addition, professional interest is in studying the evaluation of swimmers' results, having won awards with gold, silver and bronze medals. The results of our study identified the unconditional leaders (top ten) of student swimming at the XXX World Universiade in Naples2019: USA-40 medals (17 men + 23 women), Japan-20 (9 men + 11 women), Russia-18 (15 men + 3 women), Italy-11 (5 men + 6 women), South Africa-6 (2 men + 4 women), United Kingdom-6 (2 men + 4 women), Australia-5 (2 men + 3 women), Brazil4 (3 men + 1 woman), Germany-3 (3 women), Sweden- 1 (men) medal. This trend is also seen among the award-winning silver medals (886 respectively, and 863 points, the difference-23 points) and received bronze medals (respectively 874 and 852 points, the difference-22 points). Thus, in the general summary table of the rating of teams-participants in Naples-2019, it should be included, not only the existing state of qualitative indexes of medals (gold, silver, bronze), but first of all quantitative indicators. Since the generalized gender differences (887 + 865 = 1752 – Average 876 points), allows to assess the advantages of achievement in points.

Abstract. This paper begins a process of addressing a significant gap in knowledge about people's responses to being caught in rip currents. While rip currents are the primary hazard facing recreational ocean swimmers in Australia, debate exists about the best advice to give swimmers caught in rip currents. Such surf rescue advice – on what to do and how to respond when caught in a rip – relies on empirical evidence. However, at present, knowledge about swimmers reactions and responses to rip currents is limited. This gap is a considerable barrier to providing effective advice to beach goers and to understanding how this advice is utilised (or not) when actually caught in the rip current. This paper reports the findings of a pilot study that focussed on garnering a better understanding of swimmers' experiences when caught in rip currents. A large scale questionnaire survey instrument generated data about rip current survivors' demographics, knowledge of beach safety and their reactions and responses when caught in a rip current. A mix of online and paper surveys produced a total of 671 completed surveys. Respondents were predominantly an informed group in terms of rip current knowledge, beach experience and had a high self-rated swimming ability. Preliminary insights from the survey show that most respondents recalled a "swim across the rip/parallel to the beach" message when caught in the rip and most escaped unassisted by acting on this message. However, while nearly a quarter of respondents recalled a message of "not to panic", short answer responses revealed that the onset of panic inhibited some respondents from recalling or enacting any other type of beach safety message when caught in the rip current. Results also showed that despite the research sample being younger, competent and frequent ocean swimmers, they were more likely to swim at unpatrolled beaches and outside of the red and yellow safety flags. Moreover, they were still caught in a rip current and they panicked. The findings of this study have significant implications for a range of demographic groups of differing beach safety knowledge and swimming ability who may be caught in rip currents behave, we know very little about how beach goers may respond to being caught in them.

This thesis examined the benefits of physiological and performance testing of elite swimmers. The study considered the following research questions: the degree to which physiological and performance measures in training contribute to swimming performance; sources and magnitude of variability in testing, training and competition performance; the magnitudes of changes in test measures during routine training; and the reliability, validity and utility of miniaturised and automated smart sensor technology to monitor the stroke and performance times of swimmers in training. The experimental approach involved the retrospective analysis of five years of physiological and performance testing of elite level swimmers, the development of a new accelerometry-based smart sensor device to monitor swimmers in the pool, a cross-sectional study comparing the physiological and performance responses of swimmers of different levels, and the effects of an intensive 14-day training program on submaximal physiological and performance measures. Collectively, the outcomes of these studies provide a strong justification for the physiological and performance testing of elite swimmers, a quantitative framework for interpreting the magnitude of changes and differences in test scores and sources of variation, and highlight the potential utility of new smart sensor technology to automate the monitoring of a swimmer�s training performance. The first study (Chapter 2) characterises the changes and variability in test performance, physiological and anthropometric measures, and stroke mechanics of swimmers within and between seasons over their elite competitive career. Forty elite swimmers (24 male, 16 female) performed a 7 x 200-m incremental swimming step test several times each 6-month season (10 � 5 tests, spanning 0.5 to 6.0 y). Mixed linear modeling provided estimates of change in the mean and individual responses for measures based on submaximal performance (fixed 4-mM lactate), maximal performance (the seventh step), and lean mass (from skinfolds and body mass). Submaximal and maximal swim speed increased within each season from the pre to taper phase by ~2.2% for females and ~1.5% for males (95% confidence limits �1.0%), with variable contributions from stroke rate and stroke length. Most of the gains in speed were lost in the off-season, leaving a net average annual improvement of ~1.0% for females and ~0.6% for males (�1.0%). For submaximal and maximal speed, individual variation between phases was �2.2% and the typical measurement error was �0.8%. In conclusion, step test and anthropometric measures can be used to confidently monitor progressions in swimmers in an elite training program within and between seasons. The second study (Chapter 3) quantified the relationship between changes in test measures and changes in competition performance for individual elite swimmers. The primary question addressed was whether test measures could predict a swimmers performance at the major end-of-season competition. The same sample group as in Study 1 was examined. A 7 x 200-m incremental swimming step-test and anthropometry were conducted in up to four training phases each season. Correlations of changes in step-test and anthropometric measures between training phases between and within seasons, with changes in competition performance between seasons, were derived by repeated-measures mixed modeling and linear regression. Changes in competition performance were best tracked by changes in test measures between taper phases. The best single predictor of competition performance was skinfolds for females (r = -0.53). The best predictor from the step-test was stroke rate at 4-mM lactate (females, r = 0.46; males, r = 0.41); inclusion of the second-best step-test predictor in a multiple linear regression improved the correlations marginally (females, r =0.52 with speed in the seventh step included; males, r = 0.58 with peak lactate concentration included). Changes in test measures involving phases other than the taper provided weak and inconclusive correlations with changes in performance, possibly because the coaches and swimmers took corrective action when tests produced poor results. In conclusion, a combination of fitness and techniques factors are important for competitive performance. The step test is apparently a useful adjunct in a swimmer�s training preparation for tracking large changes in performance. These initial studies identified stroke mechanics as a major determinant of a swimmer�s performance. Chapter 4 details the development of a small tri-axial accelerometry-based smart sensor device (the Traqua) that enables continual monitoring of various performance/stroke characteristics in swimming. The initial focus was to develop a device that automated the detection of a swimmer�s movements, specifically lap times, stroke rate and stroke count. The Traqua consists of a tri-axial accelerometer packaged with a microprocessor, which attaches to the swimmer at the pelvis to monitor their whole body movements while swimming. This study established the failure/error rate in the first generation algorithms developed to detect the swimming-specific movements of stroke identification, laps (start, turn and finish), and strokes (stroke count and stroke rate) in a cohort of 21 elite and sub-elite swimmers. Movements were analysed across a range of swimming speeds for both freestyle and breaststroke. These initial algorithms were reasonably successful in correctly identifying the markers representing specific segments of a swimming lap in a range of swimmers across a spectrum of swimming speeds. The first iteration of the freestyle algorithm produced error-rates of 13% in detection of lap times, 5% for stroke rate, and 11% for stroke count. Subsequent improvements of the software reduced the error rate in lap and stroke detection. This improved software was used in the following two studies. The next study (Chapter 5) evaluated the reliability and validity of the Traqua against contemporary methods used for timing, stroke rate and stroke count determination. The subjects were 14 elite and 10 sub-elite club-level swimmers. Each swimmer was required to swim seven evenly paced 200-m efforts on a 5-min cycle, graded from easy to maximal. Swimmers completed the test using their main competitive stroke (21 freestyle, 3 breaststroke). Timing was compared for each 50-m lap and total 200-m time by electronic touch pads, video coding, a hand-held manual stopwatch, and the Traqua. Stroke count was compared for video coding, self-reported counting, and the Traqua, while the stroke rate was compared via video coding, hand-held stopwatch, and the Traqua. Retest trials were conducted under the same conditions 7 d following the first test. All data from the Traqua presented in this and the subsequent studies were visually inspected for errors in the automated algorithms, where the algorithms had either failed to correctly identify the start, turn, finish or individual strokes and corrected prior to analysis. The standard error of the estimate for each of the timing methods for total 200 m was compared with the criterion electronic timing. These standard errors were as follows: Traqua (0.64 s; 90% confidence limits 0.60 � 0.69 s), Video (0.52 s; 0.49 � 0.55 s); Manual (0.63 s; 0.59 � 0.67 s). Broken down by 50-m laps, the standard error of the estimate for the Traqua compared with the electronic timing for freestyle only was: 1st 50-m 0.35 s; 2nd and 3rd 50-m 0.13 s; 4th 50-m 0.65 s. When compared with the criterion video-coding determination, the error for the stroke count was substantially lower for the Traqua (0.6 strokes.50 m-1; 0.5 � 0.6 strokes.50 m-1) compared to the self-reported measure (2.3 strokes.50 m-1; 2.5 � 2.9 strokes.50 m-1). However, the error for stroke rate was similar between the Traqua (1.5 strokes.min-1; 1.4 � 1.6 strokes.min-1) and the manual stopwatch (1.8 strokes.min-1; 1.7 � 1.9 strokes.min-1). The typical error of measurement of the Traqua was 1.99 s for 200-m time, 1.1 strokes.min-1 for stroke rate, and 1.1 strokes.50 m-1 for stroke count. In conclusion, the Traqua is comparable in accuracy to current methods for determining time and stroke rate, and better than current methods for stroke count. A substantial source of error in the Traqua timing was additional noise in the detection of the start and finish. The Traqua is probably useful for monitoring of routine training but electronic timing and video are preferred for racing and time trials. Having established the reliability and validity of the Traqua, Chapter 6 addressed the ability to discriminate the pattern of pacing between different levels of swimmers in the 7 x 200-m incremental step test. This study also sought to quantify the differences in pacing between senior and junior swimmers. Eleven senior elite swimmers (5 female, 6 male) and 10 competitive junior swimmers (3 female, 7 male) participated in this study. Each swimmer was required to swim seven evenly paced 200-m freestyle efforts on a 5-min cycle, graded from easy to maximal. The Traqua was used to measure time, stroke rate and stroke count. The senior swimmers were better able to descend in each of the 200-m efforts. Overall the senior swimmers were ~2-3 s per 50 m faster than the junior swimmers. Both groups were fastest in the first 50-m lap with the push start. The senior swimmers then descended the 50- m time for each of the subsequent laps, getting ~0.5 s faster per lap, with the final lap the fastest. In contrast, the junior swimmers swam a similar time for each of the subsequent laps. The junior swimmers were marginally more variable in their times (coefficient of variation: ~2%) compared with the senior swimmers (~1.8%). In comparison to junior swimmers, the senior swimmers in this study were faster, adopted a more uniform negative split strategy to pacing within a 200-m effort, and were more consistent in reproducing submaximal and maximal swimming speeds. The final study (Chapter 7) analysed the effect of 14-d of intensive training on the reproducibility of submaximal swimming performance in elite swimmers. Submaximal physiological and performance testing is widely used in swimming and other individual sports but the variability in test measures, and the effects of fatigue, during intensive training have surprisingly not been quantified systematically. Seven elite swimmers (3 male and 4 female) participated in an intensive 14-d training camp one month prior to the National championships. The aim of the study was to characterise the intra-session, daily and training block variability of submaximal swimming time, physiological and stroke characteristics in elite swimmers. The swimmers performed a specified submaximal 200-m effort in most sessions, after the warm-up and at the end of the session for both morning and afternoon sessions. During the efforts, swimming time and stroke mechanics were measured and physiological measures were recorded immediately on completion. The Traqua was worn by all swimmers in every training session. Mixed linear modeling was used to provide estimates of changes in the mean and individual responses (within-athlete variation as a coefficient of variation) for all measures. The swimmers were moderately slower (1.4%; �1.4%) over the 14-d training camp. The mean submaximal 200-m effort was very likely to be faster (0.7%; confidence limits �0.7%) in the afternoon compared with the morning session. The females were more variable in their submaximal performance times (CV=2.6%) than the male swimmers (1.7%). Blood lactate concentration was almost certainly lower (-23%; �10%) following higher volume in the previous session; however a higher intensity workout the previous session almost certainly leads to higher lactate (21%; �15%) in the current session. Considered together, these results indicate that the 200-m submaximal test is useful in monitoring submaximal physiological and performance measures and the negative effects of cumulative fatigue. In conclusion, changes in the physiological and performance measures derived from the poolbased progressive incremental step test are moderately correlated with changes in end-ofviii. season competition performance. The magnitudes of changes and differences in test measures between phases within a season, from season to season, and between males and females, established in this study can be applied to similar elite level swimmers preparing for major competition. The quantification of typical error of the same measures demonstrates that coaches and scientists can distinguish real and worthwhile improvements using the 7 x 200-m step test. Continual pool-based monitoring with the automated smart sensor Traqua device may provide more accurate and detailed information about a swimmer�s training adaptation than current fitness tests and monitoring methods. Finally, submaximal testing in trained swimmers is useful in monitoring progress in physiological and performance measures, and the impact of cumulative fatigue during an intensive period of training. Collectively, the outcomes of these studies indicate that routine physiological and performance testing can provide measurable benefits for elite swimmers and their coaches.

Portunus pelagians was collected by seine netting, otter trawling and crab trapping at regular intervals from two marine embayments (Koombana Bay and Cockburn Sound) and two estuaries (Leschenault and Peel-Harvey) on the lower west coast of Australia and from Shark Bay, nearly 1000 km further north. The data derived from these catches were used to determine the age and size compositions, growth rates, diets and aspects of the reproductive biology of this species in different environments. Attention was also focused on elucidating whether the biological characteristics of the assemblages in the Peel-Harvey Estuary had been influenced by the construction of an artificial channel joining that estuary to the ocean and whether marked changes in fishing pressure in that estuary and Cockburn Sound had led to changes in the age and size compositions and growth rates of this species in those systems. The growth of each sex in Cockburn Sound and the Peel-Harvey Estuary were described using a seasonal von Bertalanffy growth curve fitted to the means of the carapace widths of the cohorts present in size-frequency data. The growth rates of P. pelagians did not differ significantly between females and males in either of these two systems or between the assemblages in these two water bodies. Growth was highly seasonal, with little or no increase in size occurring during the cold winter and early spring months. Size-frequency data strongly indicated that, in both of these systems, relatively few P.pelagians live beyond 18 months and that, particularly as a result of legal restrictions against retaining ovigerous crabs, heavy fishing mortality occurs at an earlier age amongst male than female crabs. Although a lack of small crabs in the samples inhibited the construction of growth curves for crabs in the Leschenault Estuary and Koombana Bay, the mean carapace widths attained by P. pelagians at the end of its firstthese pathogens. year of life in these two systems, i.e. 105 and 107 mm, respectively, were either the same or very similar to those in Cockburn Sound (105 mm) and the Peel-Harvey Estuary (109 mm), indicating that the growth rates of P. pelagicus in these four systems were also very similar. Morphometric data demonstrated that the second moult of mature females is accompanied by an increase in the relative width of the abdomen. Unlike the situation in females, the abdominal flap becomes loosely attached to the cephalothorax in males at a prepubertal rather than a pubertal moult. Males become gonadally mature (spermatophores and seminal fluid present in the medial region of the vasa deferentia) at essentially the same carapace width (CW) as they achieve morphometric maturity, as reflected by a change in the relative size of their largest cheliped. This contrasts with the situation in crabs such as Chionoeceles opilio, in which gonadal maturity precedes morphometric maturity. The logistic curve derived from the prevalence of mature male P. pelagicus generally had a shallower slope when using morphometric rather than gonadal data, probably reflecting the lesser precision of the allometric method for determining whether a male P. pelagicus is mature. However, the very close correspondence between the CW50S obtained by both methods implies that either method can be used to calculate this variable for management purposes. Portunus pelagicus attains maturity at a significantly greater size in Shark Bay than in the four more southern water bodies, where water temperatures are lower and the densities of crabs and fishing pressure were greater. As a result of female P. pelagicus leaving estuaries at various times after attaining maturity, the CW50S derived using the prevalence of mature females in estuaries represent overestimates for those populations as a whole. The number of egg batches produced in a spawning season was estimated as ranging from one in small crabs to three in large crabs. These data, together with the batch fecundities of different-sized crabs, indicate that the estimated number of eggs produced by P. pelagicus during the spawning season ranges from ca 78 000 in small crabs (CW = 80 mm) to ca 1 000 000 in large crabs (CW= 180 mm). Examination of the cardiac stomachs of Portunus pelagicus in the Peel-Harvey and Leschenault estuaries showed that this species does not feed just before or immediately after moulting and that significantly greater volumes of food were present in the stomachs of recently-moulted than intermoult crabs. Although the volumetric contribution made by calcareous material to the stomach contents was similarly high in all size classes of recently-moulted crabs, i.e. 47 to 55%, the volumetric contributions made by small bivalves decreased with body size, whereas the reverse occurred with shell fragments of large decapods and, to a lesser extent, polychaetes. The dietary compositions of intermoult crabs in both the Peel-Harvey and Leschenault estuaries were shown by classification and nonmetric multi-dimensional scaling ordination to differ markedly from those of recently moulted crabs and to undergo similar progressive ontogenetic changes. Thus, the contribution made by small benthic and epibenthic crustaceans, such as amphipods and tanaids, declined with increasing body size, whereas the reverse occurred with larger prey, such as nereid polychaetes, small decapods and teleosts. However, the dietary composition of P. pelagicus was influenced more by moult stage, i.e. recently moulted vs intermoult, than by body size. Although the dietary compositions of P. pelagicus in the two estuaries were not significantly different, they did differ from those recorded from coastal marine waters in the same region, reflecting differences in the potential prey in those two environments. Comparisons with data obtained by Potter et al. (1983) provided overwhelming evidence that certain of the biological characteristics of Portunus pelagicus in the Peel- Harvey Estuary changed after a large artificial channel was opened into that system in 1994. Following the opening of the artificial channel, crabs entered earlier and remained longer in both the Harvey Estuary (into which the artificial channel opens) and a tributary river in which salinities likewise remained elevated for a longer period than previously. The higher salinities in the spring in the late 1990s probably account for both an earlier spawning and an apparently earlier emigration of ovigerous female crabs. Growth rates during the first year of life were greater in the late 1990s than early 1980s, possibly reflecting a reduction in the overall density of crabs within the estuary. Commercial and recreational catches of P. pelagicus in Cockburn Sound have risen markedly over the last 20 - 30 years. However, since commercial fishers changed from using tangle nets to traps to catch crabs during this period, the annual catch per unit effort data are not directly comparable and cannot thus be used to elucidate whether these increased catches reflected an increase in crab density. Trawling was thus undertaken in the late 1990s to estimate crab densities in Cockburn Sound in this period and therefore facilitate direct comparisons with those estimated from trawl catch rates recorded in the early 1970s. The results demonstrate that, despite increases in commercial and recreational crab catches, the densities of P. pelagicus in Cockburn Sound have risen markedly between the two periods. This may be related to a decline in the abundances of large predators, such as pink snapper (Pagrus auratus), flathead (Platycephalus spp.), West Australian dhufish (Glaucosoma hebraicum), whiting (Sillago spp.), silver bream (Rhabdosargus sarba) and mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus), through heavy fishing pressure, and possibly also to an increase in prey abundance. Size composition data demonstrate that appreciable numbers of crabs survived in Cockburn Sound until the end of their second year of life and even beyond during the early 1970s, whereas the vast majority of 1+ crabs were removed by heavy fishing pressure by the time they had reached 18 months old in the late 1990s. Growth during the first eleven months of life, i.e. in the period leading up to the age at which crabs reach the minimum legal size for retention, was significantly faster in the early 1970s than in the late 1990s when crab densities were far lower. This slower growth rate and reduced longevity in the latter period accounts for females becoming mature at a smaller size and for ovigerous females being represented by one rather than two substantial size cohorts, respectively. The essentially single size cohort in the late 1990s, and the first cohort in the early 1970s, correspond mainly to crabs in their first maturity instar, whereas the second cohort in the early 1970s predominantly represented crabs in their second maturity instar.

Guidelines for sustainable swim-with tourism for large whales are not welldeveloped, as researchers have focused on delphinids. Nations that signed the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 are obligated to consider sustainable use principles when allowing new ecotourism activities, yet the fast-growing worldwide swim-with-whales industry is lacking the research needed to create successful management guidelines that can be implemented by local communities. From September to November of 2005 and July to October of 2006, I collected movement and behavioral state data for southern right whales in proximity of swimmers at Península Valdés, Argentina. Whales were observed before, during, and after a series of directed interactions with swimmers. I quantified the behavioral and movement effects relative to group composition of whales (mother/calf pairs, juveniles or adult/mixed groups) and activity level of swimmers. Group composition had a significant effect on the response of whales to swimmers. Swimmer activity level did not substantially affect the reaction of whales. Resting and socializing activities significantly decreased and traveling activities significantly increased when boats approached and when swimmers entered the water. Resting and socializing bout length in the presence of swimmers decreased to less than a third of the length of bouts when swimmers were not present. Whales swam faster, reoriented more often, and followed a less linear path during interactions. Effects were greater for mother/calf pairs than juveniles, while mixed adult/juvenile groups showed no significant changes in behavior or movement. The initial reaction of whales to the approach of the boat and the entry of swimmers into the water was a good predictor of the magnitude of effects on the behavior and movement patterns of the whale. Increased levels of activity are a concern for the whales that are resting and not feeding in this area. To provide quality resource management guidelines for this activity, additional research is needed to determine long-term effects of boat and swimmer activities on the behavior of whales. It is also important to obtain energetic data for right whales to determine the magnitude of impacts.

To all appearances swimming in Australia is a popular and serious activity. In fact, one organisation goes so far to claim that ‘Australia swims, it is who we are. Swimming is in our cultural DNA’. Governments and other Australian agencies provide generous funding for public pools, water safety, and swimming education, as well as high performance sport. Swimming and water safety organizations make up a vibrant commercial service industry. Swimming has become central to Australian national identity, reaching an apotheosis every four years at the Olympic Games. Despite this level of financial investment and apparent cultural value, less than half of all Australian children can swim 50 metres by the time they leave primary school and an average of 282 people drown each year. This interpretive cultural study uses a variety of qualitative methods to interrogate swimming as a prominent movement culture. It explores aspects of swimming culture in Australia such as beach swimming, pool and river play, lessons, and racing, and asks whether swimming is an Australian ‘thing’ or is the narrative hyperbolic? As an Australian champion swimmer I realise I have contributed to this narrative, which adds a unique dimension to this study, but is only part of the story. Positioning myself as subject, insider, questioner, and commentator, I examine slogans used to sustain national identity narratives, and peruse roles of industry organizations, asking “who says what about swimming, and why?” I undertook 12 weeks of field research driving across Australia, stopping in country towns and regional cities, asking “where do you like to swim? And, what do you do when you go swimming?” When I saw ‘swimmers’ standing in water at the beach, I asked myself, “how do people define “swim” when they go swimming?” For those people who say they swim, what does ‘swim’ mean to them? I also immersed myself with adult ocean swimmers, who create a sense of place through their aquatic wanderings in the ocean in Tasmania. To analyse this fieldwork data, I utilised insights from educational, social, and environmental geography perspectives, and paid particular attention to the values of movement in nature, which is the essence of swimming in water. This thesis reveals the complex meanings that constitute the culture of swimming in Australia. There is a tension between the reality of Australians in the water and the hyperbolic feel-good narratives, such as ‘a nation of swimmers’ and there are differences in cultural-linguistic meanings, and organisations who blur private and public service, as they vie for public funds and compete for the same customers. Revealing these polysemic meanings and tensions contributes to broader academic debates about the culture(s) of sport and physical activity, and the place and meaning of swimming in Australian national identity. Findings from this cultural study are also potentially significant to swimming and water safety education. For example, findings from this study suggest that swimming education could be more effective if the significance of humans’ reciprocal and interactive relationship with water, which differs perceptually and somatically to experiences on land, was embedded into swimming instruction models.