THE GIRL WHO DIVES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19001, 25 October 1923, Page 4

THE GIRL WHO DIVES.

SWIMMING AS A PASTIME FOR WOMEN. To a woman with good nerves and a sound physique, there is no more exhilarating sport than high diving, writes “Wafer Nymph” in the Daily Chronicle. In the first place it enables one to acquire really marvellous control of the limbs, which is such a groat asset towards securing a graceful carriage. Secondly, it is of enormous value in the successful development of the figure. Particularly is this the case in connection with what is known'as the swallow dive, in which the arms are extended at right angles to the body and the chest expanded. Moreover, diving is extremely good for the nerves, which it necessarily steadies; one cannot, indeed, quite see anyone of unsteady nerves venturing to jump off a spring board 30ft above the water, which is the usual height adopted for high dives in the open air, or even plunging into tho water from a height of 15ft in a covered bath.

All dives, in so far as they connote straight limbs ami pointed toes, may be said generally to tend to make a woman graceful. Trick diving especially so, for this most fascinating branch of the sport cannot bo indulged in without acquiring a wonderful control over oneself.

There are three main points to bo considered in all high diving—viz., the take-off, the position in the air, and tho entry into the water. The take-off must he powerful, and with an upward and outward jump. The body in the air must have, the back slightly hollowed, the legs being perfectly straight out and together, with the toes pointed continuing the curve of the leg, while the arms must be either above tho head or at right angles to the body, ns in the case of a swallow dive. The swallow dive, one may say in parenthesis, is the safest, for ladies, and is to be highly recommended. As for the entry into the water, this should bo made with as little splash as possible, and at an angle of about 70 degrees. The body must maintain the same position throughout the dive, right from the moment of the take-off until it disappears under water.