YOUTH AND SPORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22320, 18 January 1936, Page 17

YOUTH AND SPORT

[BENEFIT OF SWIMMING HEALTHY FOR CHILDREN - ADVANTAGE FROM COACHING AVOIDING USELESS EFFORT No. ill. The following in the third of a series of articles Riving the views of experts and doctors on the most, important branches of sport, in relation to the training of children. Among the many sports none captivates the young mind more than pwimming. This is not surprising, blessed as Australians and New Zealanders are with so many excellent beaches. Under the patient coaching of experts, however, there are youngsters to-day at the baths and beaches who would become world challengers. In the majority of instances youngsters continue their swimming career without tuition, and those who do feel the urge to be a little bit better than their fellow-playmates soon weary of the ceaseless instructions and travel their own path. This, according to Mr. Dudley Hellmrich, who, in addition to being secretary of the New South Wales Amateur Swimming Association, is also a coach of great ability, is one of the reasons that Australia does not produce more than an occasional record-smashing champion. Strength Increases With Years Further, such haphazard swimming, with occasional appearances in competitive events, is not only harmful to the health of the boy or girl, but definitely has some effect on prospects. Mr. Hellmrich pointed out that in his experience he had found there was no particular age at which a girl or boy should take up swimming. It certainly was not harmful at a tender age, and with years the strength increased. Paddling in baths, swimming 20yds or so, and generally enjoying themselves never had a detrimental effect on the health of youngsters in Mr. Hellmrich's experience, because an energetic youngster generally rested and had his strength restored. To youngsters of six, seven or eight there was nothing of greater benefit, but after that Mr. Hellmrich was emphatic on the point that they should not be allowed to continue along the same lines. It was at eight or nine that boys and girls began to fancy themselves as swimmers and engaged in races at every opportunity. Results of Tuition Those who had not been shown the correct method of moving the legs and getting the , utmost benefit from the arms flung themselves about in the water in a most exhausting manner, while the tutored pupil raced to the mark with a smoothness that required a minimum of effort. In this regard Mr. Hellmrich compared swimming to playing the piano. If a child were not taught in the early stages and were allowed to pick up its music by watching and hearing others, it certainly could not have the polish of the youngster who was placed in the hands of an efficient teacher. The touch of the tutor might not be apparent in the .early stages, but as the years progressed it was the pup:l who rose te great heights, chiefly because in his early'days of competitive work there was less strain, both physically and mentally. And so it was with swimming. Exhaustion had to be prevented. It was dangerous and was halted only by coaching. To illustrate his point, Mr. Hellmrich said that every year there was a three-mile race round New York and on several occasions medical examinations of youngsters from 11 years to 14 years revealed that five minutes after the race their physical condition was perfectly normal. Distance Not Harmful Distance swimming was not harmful to children, said Mr. Hellmrich. He believed and had found that a boy or girl who had been taught to swim with a minimum of effort was less exhausted after a steady competitive swim over 200 or 300 yards than the youngster who with a flurry of arms and legs raced over 33 yards at top pace. He said the body floated on top of the water, the stroke was used to the best advantage, and there was a steady breathing and not the jerkiness which surrounds the 33 yards dash. A doctor who has had a great deal of experience in swimming and has been closely, associated with youngsters agreed with Mr. Hellmrich on most points. He favoured easy stages in competitive swimming, and suggested that, should youngsters show signs of prolonged exhaustion after a swim, a doctor should be sought immediately. He did not believe in frequent medical examinations for youngsters, but certain cases needed treatment, and the only means of telling some weakness Jvas by exhaustion. Swimming, he thought, was one of the easiest sports for children, chiefly because the young mind adapted itself to what it coidd do. Simple swimming at, an early stage and coaching followed by occasional competitive events was the healthiest exercise a boy or girl could have.. He advocated it for all. with the reservation that, before a boy or girl went in a big race, such as » State championship, a medical examination would not be amiss.