Clarrie Heard

Clarrie Heard was a Christchurch swimmer from the United Swimming Club and also belong to the New Bright Surf Life Saving Club.

He was selected for the Paris 1924 Olympic Games, competing in the 200m breaststroke event. Clarrie finished his heat in 3rd in a time of 3:09.00 slower than his best, due to a slight illness having caught a cold on his travels to the games.

Clarrie’s personal best time for this event prior to the Olympic Games had been 3:02.20, which was the same time as the fourth-placed finisher at the Olympic Games.

His employment was a confectioner, and he was one of many swimmers that had built their baches out at Taylor’s Mistake in Christchurch. Later in the 1930’s Clarrie retired from competitive swimming and lifesaving, and took up tennis, golf and bowls.