The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-01-28
(By Max M. Herseth, Swimming
Coach of the Ely Public Schools.)

(By Max M. Herseth, Swimming
Coach of the Ely Public Schools.)
Each new subject that is added
to the already full school curriculum
is the result of someone's vision OF
its ultimate good in the training OF
the child, and if is to remain part
of the school program it mast tul1u
these expectations. A generation or
SO ago when the trip 70 and from
school was veritaois journey
fraught with many hardshlps, ana
the school buildings were bare and
uncomfortable; teachers Were scarce
and sometimes impossible to secure,
the three IRIS" sufficed Tor an ele-
mentary education. Today, however,
with our wonderful new schools and
our comparatively unlimited taclht-
les, we find time enough Tor many
additional things that make Tor
breadth and refinement in the mould
ing Of the character of the ell ire
- entrusted to our care.
Music was introduced into CUR eG-
vocational requirements not alone
that the children might learn how to
sing, but that their love and appre-
citation for all that is beautiful 10
hear might be developed. Art was
added, not to make them proficient
artists, but to help them to seek for
and recognize all that is glorious 20
see. So physical education, II 1t Is
to endure must have deeper pur-
pose than to provide exercise and
recreation. 1t must teach the child
to realize the possibility OF develop
ing and preserving his body-the
true temple of God-and must cor
relate with his mental growth. One
hears discussions of all phases OF
Physical Education, so | shall conhne
myself to swimming and its value IN
the public school program.
When you tnink of swimming values
YOU doubles mink, first of the value
of swimming from the standpoint OF
exercise. l think you will agree
when l say that swimming accom-
plishes the most with the least eX-
penditure of energy OF any type OF
exercise. This is because the factor
of weight is entirely eliminated III
the water. In fact, the body is light
er IMAM water. The body is In a
prone position-nO part supporting
the weight of any other part. This
makes it possible to exercise the
large muscles continuously with
little fatigue and with very slight
increase in blood pressure. Try these
exercises for yourself and you VIII
experience the difference between
the results of exercise in the water
and otner kinds of exercise. Swim
the beast stroke five minuteS--you
feel as though you could go on indef-
initely. Lie down on ti.e floor and
do the same work. You knCw You
are using the same muscles but how
different the result? Now stand
erect and go through the same move
ments for five minutes and you are
fatigued. This shows why swimming
is as beneficial to the old as to the
young; to the weak as to the strong
Its appeal is universal. People who
are deaf and dumb or blind; who
have lost an arm or leg; who are
paralysed or otherwise deformed
SWIM and derive great benefit and
pleasure from it.
What is more worth while than tc
teach anyone to want to be clean!
This is one of the biggest and cas-,
lest things that swimming in schoo
is going to accomplish. Suppose you
have a pool in which you yourself
want to swim. Suppose this pool is
tested regularly. Aren't you going
to do everything in your power te
make that pool clean and attractive!
If you are health director, will II
be possible to have anything but &
clean pool? Not if you stop to think
that the water you swim in goes into
your eyes cars, mouth and stomach
The children must be taught to be
immaculate. They must learn what
a real bath is. 1t is most gratifying
to the little children through this
course and see their appreciation anC
their enjoyment of their shining
little bodies.
1t isn't pleasant to put soiled un'
derwear on after a vigorous bath
and very soon you will note g
change. When the children acquire
habits of personal cleanliness, then
thoughts go out to their rooms ano
their homes and think what found
alton one has laid for the future!
We are taught that nothing is cas-
Ter to develop and harder to break
than a habit. How important then
we can make the swimming pool IN
forming our future men and women
On ldren are wild to swim and nc
other teacher perhaps, has the same
opportunity to develop these habits
that are so personal and mean Sc
much mentally and morally as well
as physically.
Swimming not only makes US bod
lily clean but morally clean and men
tally clean. You can't swim and
worry. You can't swim and hate.
You can't swim and entertain any
unworthy thought. No matter what
your mental attitude is at the be-
ginning of your swim, the wrinkles
are all washed out in the end. There
is something so softening and relax
ing about the water; something SO
cooling and refreshing in the very
wetness and something so reassuring
and poise gaining in the very alone
ness of a swim, that unwholesome