The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-23
ALESSON IN SWIMMING.
The Art Is Not Difficult Women Sheal
he Skilled IN III.

The Art Is Not Difie euit-women Shoald
he skilled IN Ii.
Though strange as it may seem,
when swimming is an art easily
learned, there are comparatively few
women who understand even the first
principles of il. and even when the
papers are ringing with the accounts
OF many deaths by drowning, owing to
the fact that bathers do not know how
10 swim, one-half the world still con-
tinues in ignorance OF a simple accom-
plishment that might some day be the
means of reseuing them from watery
grave.
Besides being so valuable in this par
ticular, it is one of the most healthful
and exhilarating of pastimes, as the
exercise brings into play every muscle
of the body, Strengthening equally all
of them, instead of developing one at
the expense of another
Though it is advisable to place
oneself under the care OF an expert. it
Is not necessary. for you can be self
taught if you but possess sufficient
courage and perseverance. With an
expert, however, you are apt TO ac-
quireia mere graceful method of loco
motion in the water than if you take
upon yourself the trouble OF learning
in any way that suggests itself
Salt water is the best to learn in. To
begin with, it is much heavier than
water, its buoyaney giving confidence
to the novice, as it supports the, body
easily. Another theory advanced by a
teacher whose name is among the mos:
expert swimmers, is that in learning in
salt water the bitter taste of it will
compel the swimmer to keep the mouth
shut and breathe through the nostrils,
which is one of the most important les
sons to be learned. It's temperature is
also higher in summer than that of
fresh water.
Quoting this authority's own words,
he says: ITO learn to float is the first
step. This is an easy and natural per-
forrnance. and when once the learner
realizes that she will not sink il she
keeps still and has supply of air in
her lungs, the dread ard fear of sinking
viii be one-half vanquished In shall
up to your armpits. The next thing TO
do is to turn your back to the land,
bend your knees as though you were
about to sit down, letting the water
touch your chin, then gradually throw
the head back as far as it viii go. You
will probably experience most un-
pleasant sensation when the water first
fNn \
clination to stand up and wade ont,
declaring that you will never do such
silly thing again.
However. if you persevere and con-
tinue to slowly put the head back until
the back of it is immersed and the
water covers the ears entirely, you will
wonder why you were so nervous in
the beginning. Put up your arms and
extend them behind your head as far
as they will go, with the palms Of the
hands uppermost and slightly hol-
lowed Take full breath. initiate the
chest, giving little push off from the
bottom with both feet and you will
undoubtedly feel that yos are about to
drown. but this is not So Your head
will sink into the water and your mouth
will be covered, but If Won keep quiet
with your mouth shut you will soon
discover that your mouth and nostriIs
have risen above the water surface,
and by keeping your legs stifFened and
slightly separated the tips Of your
fingers, toes and knees, as well as your
face and breast. viii be above the
water.
breathe through your nostrils, and
unless You let your nervousness over
come you. you viii oc abe 20 float in
this position as long as you care TO do
so. It is rather hard for those who
are easily frightened 70 coun terbaI-
ance their lack of confidence. get If
these feelings are but once overcome.
but few lessons viii be needed to
make the novice an expert
After learning 10 float the next !
lesson viii be in swimming. The same 1
position should be taken. living fat on /
the back. bet with the hands placed al
the side After lying quietly FOR a
time gently move the hands "a pad
dies, sending the water toward your
feet The hands should be- kept below
the surface, and much 10 your surprise. .
II this thing IS kept up gently. you will
discover that ycu are slowly bat surely i
moving ahead
.-,sine women out OF ten viii. a. .hA
iunctnre, rise op IN surprised astonish- 4
meut - see where they are going and i
will be more than horrifed To discover
that the water viii not support them
Ia tina; position, so6 they viii take a
sudden and unexpected plunge 10 the
bottom.
81 hen you learn 20 propel your-es
head forward, reverse the action of