Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-08-22
10 LrARN 70 SWIM.



Advice e Beginners.
Captain Allen, swimming In
| structor ct the New York public
baths. says: 1t IL very difficult
matter to learn to swim correctly
without o master. II possible take
some lessons of q competent In
structor. II but q few they will
suffice for self-practice. Hundreds
of my pupils have learned to swim q
mile at the end of their first season.
Comparatively few self-taught swim
mers can do as much after swimming
half O lifetime. To teach rapidly
and correctly there is but one true
method The pupil Is first given
what is called dry lesson" before
going into the water. In this he is
taught to make the movements OF
arms and legs according to count.
As soon as these points are thorough
ly comprehended he is allowed to 60
into the water suspended by belt
attached to rope in such fashion
that he occupies horizontal posi-
ton, breast downward, and with the
shoulders just covered by the water.
In this position he is practiced
thoroughly in executing the arm and
leg movements separately and in
combination. Many pupils master
the stroke in one lesson. AS soon as
proficient an inflated rubber air belt
is tied about the chest. supporting
the pupil while he is.perfected in the
stroke. The quantity of air is de-
creased at each lesson, until the
pupil has gained the confidence to
make an effort without support. In
this way any one, however timid.
may learn the art rapidly and cor
rectly.
To the person who is anxious to
learn to swim, but cannot afford the
luxury of a master, few hints may
be OF service. Beware Of deep water
or places where the bottom is un-
even, or currents swift and treacher-
Gus. Choose quiet spot, where
you can wade out gradually until the
water reaches the armpits. Remem-
Der that but slight movement is
necessary to keep the body afoat-
IL the hands are kept under the sur
face of the water. The arm move
ment is made as follows: Palms Of
hands together, arms extended
straight in front of breast, fingers
closely touching. Using the thumbs
as pivots, turn the hands over into a
horizontal position nearly. Without
bending the arms move the hands
through the water till they form a
straight line with ear and shoulder,
then dropping elbows nearly to side
and simultaneously pointing fingers
downward, bring tips of fingers to-
gether in front Of (but not touching)
breast, and almost directly under
chin. Now, uniting palms, push
hands swiftly forward into first po-
sition. The leg movement Is not
made until the hands are moving
toward chin. At this moment with
heels together and toes pointed out
ward, at an angle of forty-five de-
grees, the legs are drawn up with
knees apart (frog fashion). Then
kicking feet right and left as far as
possible, the legs are brought swiftly
together rs the hands are pushed
forward to first position. Be care
full to bring the legs swiftly together.
This is the most important factor in
the whole stroke, for it is this sud-
den displacement Of the water that
gives two-thirds of the impetus.
Use the arms very quietly and de-
pend upon the leg motion. Now
with the water reaching to the arm
pits, place the hands together under
the surface of the water and stoop-
ing until the chin touches the sur
face, push gently from the bottom
with the feet, and make stroke
quietly, but with decision, as de-
scribed above.
Any one can purchase preserver,
and by following above directions in
a few days learn the breast stroke"
the A, b, G Of swimming. That
stroke once mastered, all others are
comparatively easy.
Few swimmers breathe properly.
This is most important. Learn to
inhale by the nostrils, and exhale
through the parted lips, and at every
stroke.
1t is an exploded theory that
drowning persons 60 down three
times and then expire. have seen
a drowning man 60 down a half
dozen times. and still ''bob up
serenely." 1t all depends upon the
manner in which he struggles, and
whether he succeeds in getting
supply of air each time that he rises