The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-04
Every Creek and River Made
Into a Bathing Beach.
After All, the Greatest Sport Is
in the Kaw.
DANGER IS IN SUCK HOLES
But There Is a Way To Get Out
of These Pools.
Kansans Can Swim Better
Than SeashOre Brother.

This is a great summer for the in
land swimmer In Topeka
Never before have the streams in
and near the city been so popular.
Never before have so many Topekans
been able to keep themselves on the
surface of the water without the aid
of wings, logs and liable admirers"
The encouragement given by the
cty in establishing municipal bathing
beaches at different parks has had
much to do with the added zest in
bathing. Thousands of Topekans ev-
cry week take dip into the Gage and
Ripley park pools.
Swimmin' holes in nearby creeks
and along the river heretofore I'M
known have been discovered by fever
ed citizens. Disregarding the reputa-
ton of the river as a dangerous har-
Dor of suck holes, currents and step
young men and women and boys have
slid into the depths at points varying
from one half to five miles above the
city.
The river-above the sewers, of
course-is an ideal stream for SWIM
ming. This statement will be disputed
by many. 1t is because they haven't
tried it. Sweeping over miles and
miles of sand, swirling between in
Vulnerable sand bars the river is re-
freshing and full of sport.
Danger in the Kaw.
There Is a certain danger accom-
panying swim in the Kaw. In the
first place hole" must be entered
carefully before the amateur swim
mer should become reckless in his
plunge. At places the Kaw's current
is swift and treacherous. The river
is so low that its bed is filled with
only the deeper. more tricky rapids
But herein lies the sport.
swimming in a river current is the
test OF real swimmer. 1t is almost
impossible to make any headway
against it despite the swiftest and
mer is content If he Is able to hold
| his own.
The danger of meeting a suck hole
/ can be avoided il the swimmer
watches the water closely before hi
enters. The suck hole is indicated
on the surface by swirling disturbed
| waters. The steady flowing curren
will not hide a suck hole.
How to Avoid Suck Hole.
If by chance you are drawn in {
suck hole there is only one way t.
safely emerge Double up your bod.
/ and let the whirlpool take you.
will draw you down to the bottom
then cast you to one side and ALLOW
the water to whirl you to the edge
When you feel yourself coming up t
the surface again dive way from tn
troubled waters" and you will com
TO the SURFACE away from danger.
doesn't pay to fight a whirlpool. LIE
it have its own way until you are fire.
from it's center
| The amateur swimmer who slips Ii
over his head and who is carrie,
| down stream by the current shoult
not lose his head. Don't try to swim
| Just keep your head above water
| paddle with feet and hands until yol
have noated down the stream and IL
a few minutes your natural cours
| will be shoreward.
Greeks Not Dangerous.
The creek streams near Topeka ar
not dangerous. Many OF them ar,
deep but if a person keeps his heas
he will have little trouble in finding
place where his toes will touch.
/ The small boy still surpasses il
swimming. He is less liable to cramps
he is used to the water, he doesn'
overdo and he has learned to wiggl,
his hands and feet-a stunt that al
ways keeps a person ION top"
| Swimming is the tip-top sport.
brings into action muscles that ar,
never used otherwise. It keeps tn,
lungs busy and cools the body.
4 And the average Kansan can easil,
show up his eastern brother on tn,
| seashore. Seashore bathers dom
have to be swimmers. In Kansas Their,
is no fun in the water unless you cal
| Sxyfr,1