SWIMMING FOR LADIES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7024, 12 January 1910, Page 7

SWIMMING FOR LADIES

WORLD’S CHAMi.-i.ON SWIMMER TELLS HOW SHE SUCCEEDED.

“To what do I attribute my success f-s a swimmer," rexicatod Miss Etta Mackay, the lady champion swimmer of tho world, in an interview in England the other day (says an English paper just to hand). “Well, that is not a difficult question to answer, and, put briefly, is just this—a strong constitutionand untiring perseverance. Of course, in a largo measure tho former is dfte to.the latter, for tho exercise that/tho gratification of my lovo of swimming has entailed upon me lias had a great deal to do with building up tho robust constitution I now possess. As to the exercise to perfect swimming—tn bring speed and.power in the watei —- I know nothing but swimming itself. When three years ago it was suggested that I should enter for the quarter-mile world’s championship at Blackpool, I was advised by those who knew (?) that the distance was too great, as at that time two hundred yards was the limit attempted by ladies racing in this-country. However, I determined to see what could be done, and by steady practice and the gradual increase of the distance attempted, I managed, in the course of four weeks, to finish (he full journey—HO yards—in what turned out to bo record time of 7min 2G 3-ssec. Since then, by more assiduous practice, I have managed to reduce tho time to 6rq,in 53seo. HOW TO GET SPEED.

Speed is not, of course, attained by simply going into the water and struggling'for the goal, but by carefully measuring tho stroke and adapting it to the strength of the swimmer. By familiarising oneself to the action it becomes rhythmic and almost unconscious. What was awkward and uncouth by well-order-ed practice becomes natural and graceful. Tile breaking of records is not the result of spasmodic effort, but of careful uphill plodding work, and once I have made a time 1 always do my best, not only to keep it up, but to improve upon it. For instance, my last time for 200 yards is 2min 53scc (the amateur record for the same distance being 3min Ssco or 3min lOsec), and no matter under what conditions 1 am swimming—even although I may just bo taking an ordinary morning di t p—l rarely exceed tho 2min 50aec. Results prove, too, that speed in swimming is not altogether tho matter of adoption of what might be called the regulation stroke. My favourite stylo of swimming is a ddube-screw trudgeon, which I swim with greatey ease than any other. This style I used exclusively on my recent long swim from Rothsay to Gowal. This was a distance of 1050 yards, .and was covered in Hu* 17min. This style of swimming comes naturally to me. It had been described best as tho double-screw kick. I did> on the advice of one of the recognised. experts in England, practise assiduously for four months ■ last year the straight leg or Lancashire kick. This gentleman assured me that if I could master the orthodox “kick” I would add considerably to my speed, but, as I have said, speed is - not a matter of style, and I found in the end that what I gained by the adoption of the Lancashire kick was lost in the power of my armstroke and the greater roll necessary. I think my idea that for speed the slyle : is best left to the individual is borne out by the fact that, while I get the best results from a double-screw trudgeon stroke, the best amateur records for 100 yards—held by Miss Fletcher,; of Loicestei—have been made with the oldfashioned over-arm stroke, which is admitted by all to be slower.

THE QUESTION OF STIMULANTS. . The fastest swimmer ' ever I competed with was Miss Soott, of Bacup, who was then also an exponent of the overarm stroke, ,but has eince adopted tho trudgeon. The question of stimulants for: competition swimming is a point on which I hold very decided views. X use no stimulants of any kind. Swimming is a natural exorcise, and therefore tho best way to -tackle it is to do so naturally. Indeed, my experience is that if I force the 1 - body with stimulants, fatigue is likely to ensue much quicker. The oxygen treatment is capable of giving speed'when, you are fatigued, out from personal experience I cannot say it is of much value when fatigue is not present. Outside of swimming I take no exercise except walking in tho open air, but believe in being abroad, oven in the winter timo, as early as possible, so that a natural appetite may bo created for breakfast. '

It is ‘ sometimes put forward by people who, I am afraid know very little about the matter, that swimming is not beneficial;exorcise for (ho weaker, sex; but speaking from my own experience as •a swimmer, also from that wider experience gained as an instructress of tho art, I would advise all to learn swimming, and more especially the members of my own sox. Although I havo no particular medical knowledge to back up this opinion, I can at lepst noint out the very important fact in its favour that anaemia and a number of other troubles peculiar to growing girls is wholly unknown amongst swimmers, and oven where it is present, swimming; X bnvo found to be a successful antidote. The only care to be taken by tho beginner is not to take too much at first, and avoid colds.

, SPELLING EXTRAORDINARY. According to Professor Jones, oi University College, spoiling is now absolutely no guide to pronunciation. This ho has exemplified by a puzzle which requires the word “fixture’' to be spelt without Using any of the letters in it. Tho answer is “p-h-y-k----s-c-h-a," Potato could ho spelt “g-li-o-u-g-h-p-t-li-e-i-g-li-t-t-o-c-a-u,” ro- ■ presenting “p” in “hiccough,” “ough” 1 —“o” in “thought.” “plith”—“t” in ■ “phthisis.” “eigh”—“a” in “weigh,” . “tto”—“t’’ in “gazette’’ and “can”— \ “o” iri “beau.” SIMPLE CURE. A Paris doctor is recommending a garglo of ordinary tea on going out in - the morning and returning at night as C a remedy for soro throats aiid*laryn- ■ gitis. I WOMEN 7 OF INTELLECT, j ''Curiously in all ivomen of intellect ' there is similarity. It is an austcr- ’ ity, a spiritual aloofness that sets them apart. It is tho reflection of tho oooJ. powerful brain, holding itself a.way from emotionalism; tho intellectuality that has no place for and consumes tho nnessontials of placidity.” A POPULAR. NOVELTY. No toys have been brought to greater perfection than dolls, and this year several novelties hiavo appeared for ; sale that will delight the heart of a llttlo doll mother. The doll that will walk across a trapeze with most lifelike movements will be a very fascinating but a dolly that oan really swim will undoubtedly bo prime favourite with grown-ups and children. This little person is dad in a smart bathing dress and ciap, and, on being wound up, will move arms and legs, propel herself across tho bath and give a really wonderful exhibition of swimming. Dolls’ houses ane marvels of tho day also—some actually aro fitted with electric light and lifts, and the 1 latter oan be made to stop at any floor. The idea of carrying out a whole fa.iry tale with its characters represented by dolls is a very good one, and will cause endless amusement to childand, it is thought, will stimulate their imagination. Knights, princesses, kings, fairies, servants, may all figure in these illustrated tales. Another now departure is tho hot water doji, an excellent present to make in the cold weather. The head, arms, and upper trunk are just like an ordinary rag doll, but the skirts are voluminous, arid up tho 'base of these the (hot-water bottle is put in, upside down. Much appreciated by the little girl who is in paan will be this precious warm doll companion. AN OLD GAME ALTERED. A contemporary publishes instructions for playing a quaint and yet a very old game called Silent Blindman. One _ person is blindfolded, as in Blindman s Buff, all the rest remaining with their eys unbandaged. The blindman then groups for his prey, everyone remaining as ,still as possible in tho cornems they have chosen for themselves. It as allowable.to swing mid duck and' twist or wriggle when the blindman approaches but not to more from one’s place, though even under -these oonditwns it is frequently easy to escape after being; almost in the hlindman’s ° nni es ’ Wltlrou * taking a step. The fun of the game lies in tho great stillness that reigns, even when the frolic reaches its most exciting piten. When someone is caught ho or she becomes bHndman, and time is allowed for all to change their position. Iho blindman must always announco the name of his victim, even after ho has caught one, or he may not relinquish his task of catching. LADY ST. HELIER IN “ HARPER’S. “If I were going to be critical I should say that the women of to-day are prettier than their grandmothers and stronger/ better developed, better set-up, and certainly more independent and more self-reliant than they were forty years ago; but I do not think that men to-day aro as handsome or physically as strong and as finely developed as their grandfathers.” WOMAN’S KNOWLEDGE OE MAN. A certain male novelist says that “ when a woman professes to know a good deal of men, you may bo sure that all she knows is bad. Knowledge of men is, with most women, equivalent to a knowledge of one bad man.” The sentiment might paes for wisdom if it were finished off with tho words, “ and vice versa.” THE CAT IN THE OAR. Cats who own motor-cars promise to be quite plentiful in the near future. Dogs there have been in multitudes who possessed motor outfits—coats, goggles, and foot.warmers, all complete—but pussy has been hitherto considered a domestic creature. However, pussy must bo up-to-date, and alter her ways like other people, and yesterday afternoon a lovely white ; . j , • . j , j , 1 i