The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-01
SWIMMING FOR WOMEN.
Isabella Proctor Says Fright Is the Cause
of Most Cases of Drowning.

Especial Correspondence
ATLANTIC CITY. Aug. 3o.-Of all
the outdoor amusements in which
woman can indulge swimming is prob
ably the most important. Not only
does it bring nearly all the muscles
of tho body into play and increase the
expansive power of tho lungs but
possession Of the accomplishment fire.
quently decides the question OF lifo and
death. While it IS rather difficult to
learn a good stroke without the aid of
a master Enloss the beginner is q child,
few lessons from q competent teacher
are enough to give the pupil sufficient
knowledge OF the correct motion to al
low her to perfect herself alone.
The ability to swim 4 long distance
without giving out Is Of great value and
is seldom possessed by women, who can
swim 10 or 8 feet very well, but then
collapse as hOpelcssly as if they could
not swim at all It is . good plan to
swim parallel with the shore III shallow
water, and when tired attempt to turn
over on tho back and float without let
ting the feet touch the bottom. The pow
er of changing from swimming to float
ing. and vice versa, Is important III deer,
water, as it gives the swimmer a chance
to rest and then resume her progress
when she has taken breath. The turning
Is accomplished by taking the stroke Oh
one side only and Taightening out thc
body as it rolls over. Treading water is
most easily learned by slipping into it
from swimming. The pupil should
swim out a foot or two beyond her
depth, gradually shorten and lower the
arm stroke and let the feet sink and the
leg stroke become alternate. At first tho
head viii sink to the lips, but it viii
not go under unless confidence is lost
and the stroke becomes rapid and con-
fused. After a little the head and
shoulders will rise above the surface,
but as this practice is rather exhausting
it is safer to swim back into shallow
water before becoming tired. For the
side stroke, which is very rapid and
graceful, turn the body slightly, hold
ing the head in q horizontal position,
and take a slow up and down stroke
with the lower arm, while the upper
one is straig ltened to make a long sweep
from the shoulder almost to the feet.
The feet may be moved together or al
ternately. If the pupil wishes to learn
to carry another person, she should
practice with some one who can swim
and can therefore be trusted not to be
seized with panic at the first failure.
Always begin to practice this in shall
low water to avoid the chance Of acct
dent
It is nearly always fright that browns
even nonswimmers, for nature has ar
ranged it so that whatever position the
living body occupies in the water, ex-
cept fat on the face, the breathing ap-
paratus remains above the surface I'M
less forced under by violent and unskill-
full movement 1t is possible to float
quite safely with the knees doubled up
under the chin and the arms wrapped
around them, or with the feet bent
back under the body and the hands
grasping the toes
Finally remember that splashing and
noisy swimming are the sure signs Of the
tyro. Breathe through the nostrils, take
a slow stroke, keep the hands under'wa-
Ter and aim to move as silently as a fish.
ISABELLA PROCTOR-