The morning times., 1896-07-26
SOME WATER TRICKS.

There is no end of tricks cieverswirnmer
can do in water. Then there are sports and
games played ON RATS or water shoes, log
rol,irg, high diving, water ballets, polo
and Jockey. The most popular sport at
present, however, is shooting the .'chutes,
or water toboggaD.
More in the amateurs line is hooking
On the water; a ball and hockey clubs
are necessary and little boats for the
feet, which are kept on by straps, some
thing like snow shoes. Quarterstafr is
another water game. II the players don
sailor suits, it adds to their picturesque
appearance. Tie trousers. say, Of turkey
red twin, with red sailor cellars on their
white shirts and red band on their hats.
Apropos of water ticks or ornamental
swimmiDs'-it is useful on two accounts,
to amuse yourself or to amuse others
Often friends accompany a swimmer as
spectators, and what is the Consequence?
After the bather has been swimming
while, they are tired OF it and no wonder.
They become restless and fidgetty and
keep demanding When are yOu coming
out?" But II the swimmer understands
a few tricks, it will amuse and interest
his friends more than simple swimming
ever could do. They also teach the bather
nerve and pluck.
OF all water figures, the most laughable
is that Of turning the spit" Here are the
directions:
Lie on the water as though about to
float then, drawing the knees up TO the
chin, place both hands beneath the knees.
back to back, and move them gently back
ward and forward, by degrees increasing
the speed Do not be frightened by the
result; you will spin around like n top.
The nature Of spit is to tum one way
and then another. and this is done by only
moving one hand until fairly going around
another way. and then both are used as
before. Do not in this feat let excite
ment run away with your judgment, OF
you will get giddy, and gddiness in the
water is serious matter. Leave off di-
rectly the least symptom appears.
The beat figure is a pretty one, as il
lis supposed to represent boat supplied
with no oars. The swimmer lies ON his
back as though about to float: then cross
the feet to form the PROV of the boiu:
then, instead Of raising the arms above the
head. as in swimming on the back move
them in exactly the opposite direction
that is. move them from the hips to a line
with the shoulder The arms represent
the oars, and they may easily be '.feath-
ered'' by placing them near the surface,
with the fingers slightly outstretched
As the feet advance first, this figure
presents a curious sight. clever girl
could do this trick easily as well as the
one in which the bathing costume is
changed under water. The swimmer
puts on, over her ordinary bath
ing dress, another one that is at least
a size too large, without fastening il at the
neck. Standing on the diving platform, she
must jump or dive to the bottom of the
water. and. hastily divesting herself of the
second dress, swim to the top. carrying it
in her hands Deep water in preference to
shallow should be cfosen for this feat,
which. perhaps. sounds a uifie difficult,
although in reality 1t is not. \ good way to
practice remaining under water is to sink
TO the bottom on the knees nd remain there
as long as possible: raising the hands above
the head will keep you there some time, but
if ever You are In danger OF drowning do
not throw up your arms. DC