Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-25
THE ART OF SWlMM ING
1T Is AN EXERCISE OF SKILL EASILY
ACQUIRED.
rrnm The Ipdianarnp, Pres,


At this season of the year, when thou
sands seek the pleasures of the ocean. lakes
and streams. know ledge of swimming and
of the manner in which the body may be
sustained in the water Is of the greatest
importance 1t is only necessary to observe
few simple rules In order to swim, and
once learned. the art is never forgotten.
The SAYING that If boy be thrown over
board he will swim If he is any account
may be true fguratively. but Is not true
literally. for unless he has learned to
swim the boy will drown. 1t is true that
one may learn to swim by watching the
movements of another in the water. and
initiating them. but good instructor in the
actual practice of the art will hasten its
accomplishment. 1t Is well known that salt
water is more buoyant than fresh, but as
all who desire 10 swim cannot go to the
ocean, II is consolation to know that the
same rules apply to salt and fresh water
alike
When learning TO swim a place should be
selected where the slope is gradual from
the waters edge and the bottom Is sandy,
smooth and hard and free from boulders.
Artificial aids, such as corkS, air belts,
cork jackets. inflated bladders and the ike
should be avoided, as they raise some parts
OF the body too high and allow other parts
to sink too far below the natural plane Of
fotation- The first rule. and the most
sential. is that the more entirely the body
is submerged the more easily can the head
bs sustained above the water. Confidence
in the floating power of the body should be
acquired by the learner as possible.
1t Is one Of the hardest things for the
novice to believe that the body will float in
water. under certain conditions. without
any effort whatever.
Easiest Way to Float.
The easiest way to float is to lie on the
back. the arms stretched out beyond the
ht,+ - ~
attitude not only facilitates respiration. but
counterbalances the weight of the lower
limbs. which should be kept entirely sub
merged but barely under the surface of the
water No better start toward learning to
swim can be made than to wade out until
the water comes up high on the chest. then
with a full indrawing Of the breath. to al
low the body to sink backward, with the
head toward the shore, until only the
mouth and nose are above the water. The
arms and lower limbs should be disposed as
described. and if all effort be dispensed
with. and the body quietly and confidently
submitted to the water. it will be lightly
upburne and will not sink. When In this
position the breathing should be easy and
regular. and II kept perfectly balanced. the
body will assert its buoyancy. and the nee
essary confidence be acquired.
To attempt 10 propel the body through
the water while floating on the back will
very soon follow the discovery that the
body will float. This Is pleasant and very
useful way Of swimming and II confidence
BE- retained the beginner will have no
trouble The first movement toward swim
ming on the back Is to draw the legs up to
the body. the same time spreading them
apart far possible. The legs by one
firm movement should then be extended.
and at the same time brought close to-
gether This motion sends the body for
ward and when the impetus impaired Is
nearly but not quite expended the legs are
To- be spread apart and drawn UP close to
"a : before md hs4
ment OF extending and drawing them back
Repeated When extending the legs the
breath should be exhaled. and Inhaled when
they are drawn up II greater speed be de-
sirsd the hands be used as sculls by
carrying them outward from the body and
al the same time level with it. palms DOWN
ward Just the legs are closed the hands
and arms should be pulled strongly toward
them.
The Common Stroke.
Notwithstanding back swimming is the
most easily acquired. breast swimming is
the comm"nest and most easily practiced.
This is begun by gently sinking the body
forward in the water and extending the
arms to their full length forward keeping
the fingers closed and the palms fiat Turn
the palms OF both hands outward and mako
Il strong stroke to the right and left with
each arm The hands should not be SUNK
aeep under The water as this tends to raise
the body. The object is to keep the body
as nearly horizontal as possible AS the
arms are brought round In the semic.rcle
movement the lower limbs are stifrened and
brought firmly together. Beginners should
De careful not 10 make the arm movements
more rapid than that Of the legs and 1t
should not be forgotten that the latter are
the principal propellers. Unison In move
inent ana regularity Of stroke and kick are
indispensable to perfection. II all hurry and
excitement be avoided. and each stroke and
KICK be accomplished precisely and com
pieteiy. swimming will prove refreshing and
.nvigorating. ~
The art Of treading water seema tn bs
the only part Of swimming thar is ar ali
Naturally performed. The movements
necessary are almost Identical with the
movements required In walking. In case
OF accidental immersion when the body lie
fully clothed knowledge of this part
of the art will preserve life for a long
time The body assumes a perpendicular
position when cast into the water, owina
to the buoyancy of the lungs and the
weight OF the lower extremities. When
k1he water comes up over the mouth and
1yss the inclination Of any one unable to