Cañon City record., 1906-09-13

requires but one motion. The learner
does not have to support the head-ii
lies on the water. All other methods
| Of swimming require a combination OF
several movements that may take sew
eral weeks 10 learn.
Three trials of twen<x minutes each
are generally suf,cient to teacn>a, mod
erateiy neshy pupil the rudiments OF
swimming on his back to the extent
that he can propel himself for several
rods without assistance.
The man or woman who tries this
natural method OF learning to swim
should. of course. have q companion in
the water. The companion may be
either a man or woman and 1t is not
necessary that the assistant be a
swimmer.
The assistant should place his open
hand little below the shoulder blades
OF the pupil. The pupil should press
back against the hand Of the assistant
until he lies IA, upon the water. Three
or four feet In depth is plenty of water
to learn in. II the pupil will breathe
fdeeply and naturally through the nose
with the mouth closed. body rigid
heels together. arms outstretched with
hands In advance of the head, the as
sistant will find that every time the
pupil inhales the weight OF the body
is not perceptibie to the assistants
hand. and when the pupil exhales the
tips OF the fingers of the assistant will
support the body of the pupil that is
when the pupils lungs are full OF air
he will float, but when the lungs are
emptied his body begins to sink.
After having accustomed the pupil
to the fact that the assistants hand
will certainly prevent him from sink
ing. and also 10 keeping the mouth
closed, then let him try to propel him.
self along the water. Always teach q
beginner with his head toward tn,
| shore
The assistant continues the support
of his hand. He instructs the begin
ner to spread his feet as far apart as
convenient, with knees straight. BriEs
the feet quickly together. seeing that
they meet In line with the body. This
shears movement. as II is called, will
force the body through the water. The
assistant should watch the pupil care
fully and give sufficient support with
the hand to keep the pupils nose out
of the water. as the thrust of the feet
may submerge the head at first The
pupil will learn in few efforts to
throw the chin forward as the feet are
brought together, and thus keep the
nose above water.
A few short trials OF the above me-
thod will enable most beginners to
swim on the back without the aid OF
n helping hand. But the assistant
must be cautious about withdrawing
his support Let the tips of the fingers
touch the pupil, in order to give him
confidence, or he may begin to strug-
gle and then he will certainly go un-
der, and 1t will be hard to regain his
confidence.
Never play tricks on a beginner. or
duck him or splash him when he is
beginning to learn. All such horse
play should he absolutely prohibited in
pool At an ocean or lake beach II
may be all right for those who wish
to indulge In it. but In the limited area
OF a pool such fun interferes with the
success OF the beginners and the pleas
ure of those who pay for the privilege
OF swimming.
Having learned to swim on the back
all other methods OF swimming will be
easily learned. Swimming on the back
10 what the waits step Il TO dancing
and the figure to ngurs skating. All
else comes aftsr Il
.But how can I noa&f' . good swim
msr asked ne at the NatatoFium.