Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-07-26
MAN IS A FISH,"
 SAYS DANIELS

Norfolk, Va, July 26-"Man is in many respects but a highly-developed 1lsh, said C. M. Daniels, worlds champion swimmer, who is here to- day to take part in the national swim ming chamiponships, and who will leave shortly for England to meet the pest aquatic athletes of Europe. T believe in the evolution theory and 1 that man has developed slowly from a fish, gradually losing his scales. fins, gills and ability to live under water, but never entirely losing the love for swimming that he has in- herlted from his fshy ancestors of thousands of ages ago. This may sound like 8 fish story, but it is 6 tact that every child born into the world is natural swimmer and takes to that means of locomotion as natu- rally as walking on the land. if af- t0rded opportunity to develop the in- born inclination. It is as easy for the average child to learn to swim ;;s It is to walk, if given a chance. Even the quadrupeds have this natural ability \ kitten or pup, if thrown into the water, will swim out and needs no 1 instruction"
 For the adult who has followed the advice given the darling daughter who hung her clothes on a hickory limb" Daniels has some good "dope" on the development Of the natural ir- clination to become ] cousin to 1be fish
 The first lesson for the swimmer IS to learn not to be afraid of tue water. This does not mean that ne should become unduly rash and ven ture beyond his depth With no fear of remaining under the water few moments, the first stroke toward be- coming an accomplished swimmer is taken. Those who seek to become disciples of Father Neptune must first drive fear from their hearts, The beginner should keep every mus Gle relaxed while in the water. It is the stiffening of the muscles which so often causes fatal cramps.
 The breat, the trudgeon or dou- ble overarm and the Austrial crowl are the best strokes to be learned, The student should take them up in the order named, and the first should be thoroughly acquired be- fore beginning the others. The time required to gain the knowledge of these strokes will be governed by natural ability and some what on geographical location. Those who come of seafaring ancestors take to the water naturally while those whose people for many generations have lived inland have progressed farther from the stage of fish exis- tance. With a dozen lessons from a thorough instructor the beginner should be able to swim fifty feet with the breastastroke. At least two years will be required to perfect the trudgeon, and the Australian crawl, which is the fastest stroke known for sprinting, cannot be accomplish short of four years.
 "The beginner should always keep up a mental count in making the stroke and to so time each period that there is always something in action to carry one through the water. The arms and legs should
 never be moved together in the same direction. The breast stroke is counted 1-2, the for the leg kick as the arms are showed forward. The trudgeon stroke is counted in
 1-2-3 periods, each one of the arms counting at 2 and the legs at
 8. Following these instructions, and
 with a competent teacher, if possi-
 ble. asyone can learn to swim. Man
 ic q fish v