Omaha daily bee., 1915-01-03
new STROKE FOR SWIMMERS
Described as a Double Trudgeon
Crawl and is Quite Effective.
MAKES GOOD USE OF THE LEGS
Gives the Rod More Momentum
Z without sensibIy Increasing
the Resistance of the Body
Through the Water.

NEW YORK, jan IA new type of
swimming stroke, which may be de-
seribed as a double trudgeen-crawi. has
made its appearance and is drawing the
attention OF aquatic experts. Although
only a slight modification OF the popular
trudgeen-crawl. students OF natatien be-
lieve IL will prove more effective than
the latter In middle and long distance
swimming. for II enables one TO use TO
greater advantage the power OF the legs
The difference between the two
strokes Is merely one OF leg drive. In
the trudgoon-crawl the swimmer takes
narrow scissor kick at the finish OF
the top-arm pull. then performs a con-
tinHous crawl thrash until the time
comes for another scissor. In the new
stroke. instead. the first scissor Is fol-
lowed by a sluttering motion OF the feet,
then the swimmer rolls gently and in
troduees second scissor kick, this
time driving with the other leg. at the
end OF under-arm pull. In a nutshell,
the leg action is a continuous crawl
thrash with narrow scissor, kicks brought
In as each arm completes its pull.
shown by wkeatley.
The stroke was first exhibited in COM
petition by Joseph wheatley Of the New
York Athletic club. holder OF the 600
meter American record He admits that
he fell into II by chance last spring and
simply adopted II because It seemed to
yield results. but credit must be given
him for bringing the discovery into
prominence
Particularly interesting Is wheatley's
success with the double trudgeon-erawl,
because competent swimming authorities
have claimed for some time that man
had yet to find the way OF utilizing the
full strength of the legs. AS a straight
leg scissor kick uhauestlonabiy imparts
TO the body more Momentum than a
single beat OF the crawl thrash, without
sensibly Increasing the resistance TO the
water Il would appear that the young
Aiercury-fOoteE has solved. at least In
part the problem which baffsea IN
struotors and coaches.
Good ON Distance.
Nor can tlfere be any doubt that the
new stroke Is available Cor eexeriag the
longer courses. Whestley, who is not
espsetaliy husky. has held IL up TO half
mile with the greatest ease. II Is, In
fact. essentially distance stroke, be-
cause the marked roll necessary 70
enable one 20 perform horizontal scissor
kicks. first on one side. then on the
ether. Is hardly conducive to best resaItr
In sprinting. On the other hand. this
very roll permits the swimmer to breathe
on both sides when the action Is slow.
which Is an added advantage In tests OF
endurance.
ANY crawl swimmer should be able 70
acquire tho double trudgeOn-craNl with
little practice. The scissor kick ad-
voeated at present is nothing but q wider
aud more energetic form OF the crawl
thrash moyements. 80 that the only
thing needed is to gradually emphasizes
the rhythm by opening and elosing tbs
leEs with greater srope and vig0r as each
arm reaches the hip afte- driving. II QUE
rolls at first rather heavily the action
and the time are developed almost un-
consciously like In Wheatlays eAsa.
For the rest the new stroke need not
interfere with ones spunting ability any
more than does the trudEeon-crawi.
with which HebneF. Ac0flivrAy ana
Others have travelled .fifty and 100 yards
around record figures. Tue faster the
action the smaller. naturally. the open