Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-06-18
THE ART OF SWIMMING.
How II Professor Teaches Youngsters
to Strike Gut Like Frogs.

FROM the Phila lelphia Press
1t has often STRUCK me as singular" said
Instructor Dinsmore, of the natatorum, THAT
the majority of people who begin to take swim
ming lessons imagine that they will never be
able to learn. ] am speaking particularly of
men and boys. As a rule they have little faith
In the instructor, and seem to be little suspi-
cious of his good intentions. Ladies' on the
contrary, are confiding. They follow instruc-
lions closely, without question. and learn
quickly. Some of the best swimmers we have
are little girls and ladies. OF course they don't
possess a mans strength and endurance, but
they seem to understand what they have to do.
and perseveTe until the purpose is accomplished.
The average boy and youth will insist upon re-
naming in the water longer than is beneficial
very few of them realize that ten minutes in
the water is in the majority of cases far better
time to produce vigorous reaction than a half
hour. On warm day, however, a person is very
much tempted to remain in longer than is good
for him.
'What causes this lack of confidence in so
many persons!" was asked.
at is rather difficult to explain" was the
reply. You can take a dozen boys and set them
TO studying LANGUAGES or mathematics. or in
learning new physical eXercise-Such as row.
ing. The chances are ten to one that every boy
will feel that he can learn more quickly and
perfectly than every other boy. 1t is different
when 1t comes to swimming. Almost every
pupil will excaim know there is no use try
ing, because can never learn, If tried q hun
dred years."
well. how many years does it require?"
years." exclaimed Mr. Dinsmore, in aston
ishmcnt, why it doesn't take even months OF
weeks. From three to six lessons will make
the most timid person confident. This is the
way we teach" and, leading the way to the
tank, the instructor explained how the motion
with the hands and feet were first taught in an
anfe-room. 1.-The pupil is placed in an appa-
ratus," said he (which supports his body and
gives his arms and legs free swing. Then a
teacher counts slowly, one, two. three until
the learner can kick out like frog at regular
intervals. After that he is placed in the tank,
and his head kept above water with band
under the arms, held in place by rope at
tachcd to the ceiling. When the motion has
been acquired the band is taken off. and the
first thing the pupil does is to gup in a mouth
full of water and bob under the surface long
pole is ready in the teachers hands, and the
struggling, sputtering youth grabs the end of
it. and nearly coughs his lungs up. That is all
overcome in few more lessons, and the learner
Is surprised to find that he can easily swim
from one end of the tank to the other
1T is little surprising" continued the in
structOr, ito see how many men there are over
forty years of age who can't swim any more than
an oyster. We had one pupil here a few wears
ago who was close on to seventy. He was
slightly feeble, bald as a watermelon, and had
the govt. Well sir, that old chap went to work
with a will, and learned how to swim inside oftwo
weeks. The only things that bothered him were
the flies. The little pests would skate all over
his head while he was in the water and he
would forget where he was and make q frantic
grab. OF course his nose would 90 under and
he'd be half strangled. 1t used to tickle the bows
immensely, and as soon as the old gentleman
reappeared on the surface he was received with
q loud cheer.
Several ladies have become such excellent
swimmers that they were instrumental in saving
human life. At Atlantic City, two seasons ago,
very handsome girl-the daughter of promi-
nent railroad man-swam out beyond the break
ers and rescued a young man who was going
down for the last time. Did it result In q mar
rage? No, sir; the young fellow was very
grateful, and believe, did make some sort of
proposal, but, as he was clerkingin a notion
store at SO a week, was freckled, had no front
teeth and wore plaid clothes. he didn't make out
very well. That Identical young lady Is now en-
gagged to marry wealthy New York banker
He fell In love with her while she was splashing
around In the ocean at Cape May. There was
one advantage, at least, of knowing how to
SWIM 1t caught husband"