Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1920-04-22
St. Petersburg. Fla.

Lear VOlhS al 11OltlGs
am wondering if any of you ever
attended polo game played in the
water? Well, several evenings ago
quite number of US wendell our way
down to the Spa, where there is
large pool Of water about like the one
at Nicola Springs, S. D., where so
many Of you from the Valley have
been. 1t is under cover. Seats are
placed all around the sides, where
spectators can be comfortable, if you
do not care to go in the water. The
plunge is mostly filled all the time.
The water, like the Bay, is salt wa
ter, and is very invigorating. We
thought we had seen good swimming
and diving, but decided not, after the
stunts pulled off that night. One
young lady swan one hundred and
fifty feet under water, never coming
to the top while doing so. wanted
to breathe for her. There were some
twenty or more performing all kinds
of stunts. Little girls of five and
seven years would jump from the
spring board into eight feet of wa
ter and swim across the plunge so
yards, diving several feet before ris-
ing out of the water. Surely they
will be healthy lassies. Polo game
was composed of ~ ladies', six on
each side. The ball was pure white,
not so large as foot ball, and softer.
l cannot explain the game for I do
not understand it. Six red caps and
six blue caps were on either side,
standing in some way, do not know,
in feet of water. When the whistle
blew the ball was thrown, and there
the grand rush began. 1t was fierce
while it lasted. The girl who had the
ball was trying to get to either side,
her opponents would grab her to get
the ball, and down all would go I'M
der the water. We tourists" who
were not used to such sights thought
sure all would be drowned. They
came up smiling and floated around
as fish. Polo is a great game. play
| ed in the water, and l cannot begin
to tell you all the stunts. One man
was a "sub-chaser." He jumped off
the spring board some 20 feet above
the water, not coming above the water
for a long time. We thought surely
something must have happened to
him. Then looking so yards away we
saw his, boot sticking out of the wa
ter. That was the "periscope" to the
sub. We sure enjoyed the evening.
Later: Since telling you of the
water sports at the Spa, we have en-
joyed the sports of Regatta here on
Tampa Bay They have beautiful
yacht club, close to the Bay. The
grounds are lovely with their palms
and different kinds of blooming flow
ers.
The day of the races was bright
sunshiney day, but the wind was
blowing little too strong for the
comfort of the thousands of specta-
tors who came to enjoy the sports
The Bay was dotted with many sal
boats and was a beautiful sight as
they all started down the Bay, sailing
so gracefully over the water. W.
watched them until they were mere
specks on the water. They hae
canoe races, motor races, large boa
races. One they called "Tippin" was
canoe with three persons in it; one
person padded to keep the boat go
ing, the other two had long sticks, a.
long again as broom, with sof
cushion in the end. The game was t,
push them over into the water Will,
standing up in the boat. The girl
raced; they went over backward sew
eral times into the water, but woult
swim around like fish. The boat.
made good time, though the wind wa
very strong. Now let me tell you o.
a great feat that was performed, a
least great to me. They have hae
here all winter three hydroplanes
that can run in the water and Fl,
through the air when they want to
One is the Flying Fish, made in thu
shape of fish, painted with scales
and really looks like a great fish go
ing through the air. They tied rope
about SO feet long at the rear of tn,
airplane, then fastened board abou
three feet square to.the rope. A your
lady dresser in her bathing suit stoc.
Oh this board, holding to the rope, TIL,
alrplane running in the water at fae
speed, in very deep water, where t.
largest boats on the Bay came ini:
port. Going out and back over t..
course was a mile. Just think OF .
young lady having the nerve to d,
this. To me it was wonderful.
l must mention one more of tn.
many feats performed. A young MAJ
with board and rome fastened to mo
tor boat, and it going at great speed
not only stood up, but stood on hi.
head part of the time, then on hi
knees carried, man on his shoulder
with perfect ease. Believe me, it sur,
was some water stunts. One more
must tell you of, and then stop, or
am afraid you will become waite
soaked.