HOW TO SWIM

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 106, 28 January 1939, Page 11

HOW TO SWIM

Lecture By Professor D. B. Anderson ADVICE TO INSTRUCTORS A lecture to some 40 instructors who are taking part in the national “Learn to Swim” campaign, was delivered by Professor D. B. Anderson, Auckland, in the AVellington Y.M.C.A. rooms, last night. Professor Anderson, who was lormerly swimming instructor to the Dolphin A.S. Club and Health Culture Society, Glasgow, Scotland, and who for some years past has been teaching scientific and fancy swimming at the tepid baths, Auckland, has just completed a tour of the South Island in connection with the campaign. For upward of two hours last night, he explained the official instruction method of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association for the national “Learn to Swim” campaign. He said that, the whole secret of swimming was confidence and correct breathing. In swimming tlie breathing method had to be reversed, and children even of tender years could -be taught to breathe under water by practising in a basin of water in their home. When breathing had been mastered, the pupil was taught to balance in the water. It was just a question of walking in the water, and then lying down upon the water and walking. He considered that the citizens of Wellington were severely handicapped' through not possessing tepid baths, as the coldness of the water compelled people here to give up swimming at about 40 years of age. Professor Anderson said -that the children of New Zealand, through present modern knowledge, had a better chance of becoming champions than had their fathers and mothers. At the close of his lecture, Professor Anderson answered a large number of questions. Mr. P. Coira, chairman of tne National Committee of Swimming and Life-Saving, said that there was no lack of instructors, and the committee had facilities for teaching 75,000 people how to swim. Mr. P. N. Rundle, chairman of tne Wellington committee, said that Professor Anderson’s lecture had -been the most masterly exposition upon swimming he had ever heard. A vote of thanks was carried to the professor by acclamation. Professor Anderson will conduct a special class in the Thorridon Baths at 10 o’clock tins morning, when he will give practical demonstrations of how to teach swimming. He will continue his demonstrations in the Riddiford baths at Lower Hutt at 10 o’clock tomorrow morning, and in the Thorndon baths on Monday evening.