HOW TO SWIM AND DIVE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3911, 26 February 1929, Page 76

HOW TO SWIM AND DIVE.

lI.—LEARNING TO SWIM.

By Millie Hudson, Holder bf the British Diving Championship.

(Special for the Otago Witness.) When learning to swim confidence is the first thing to be acquired, and this is more easily obtained while young. .Nevertheless, it is really never too late to learn. Many people have told me that they learned to swim by being pushed into the baths. The found they had to swim to get out, but this practice is obviously risky and stupid. Never force children, but persuade and help them. Sea bathing is as excellent as it is enjoyable, and the water makes you feel very buoyant, but a swimming bath is the better place for lessons. Water wings i spire confidence, and are undoubtedly a great help, but a better method is for a friend to walk in the water by your side holding you up by a belt and rope, or with a hand under your chin.

. I strongly advise all beginners to learn the crawl first. The majority of our young present-day champions have done so. It is undoubtedly the fastest and mostmodern stroke, but do not be afraid of the name and think it difficult. Try it. It is as easy to learn as the breast stroke, but if you do the latter first it is very difficult to learn other strokes from it. Once the crawl is mastered it can be adjusted for all distances. 211 though I use i for short races I have also used it continuously on long distances for periods up to thirteen hours. A few swimmers adopt breast strokes for distance swimming, but it is not very comfortable, and the breathing not so natural as for crawl

Every swimming aspirant should have some “ dry land practise ” in order to understand the stroke thoroughly before trying it in the water. This can be done bv.st on a piano stool, a castle built on the rni l or something equally suitable- Lying face downwards on the piano stool p 'st learn the leg movements, then the arms, then work both together. A beginner must not be worried with too many details, so a rough idea of the stroke will suffice. The leg movement resembles that of walking with short steps on tiptoe. Move the legs up and down from the hips evenly and smoothly, without tightening the muscles or bending at the knees and hips. Make the effort an upward one rather than downward so that the legs are not allowed to sink gradually. The heels should just break the surface, and the kick should not be too wide or deep.

When in a swimming bath practise this thoroughly by holding the bar, with the back slightly curved and toes turned in. Afterwards try pushing off from the side a.id repeat this with the body floating on water, face downwards and arms straight in front. While doing this, if possible, get someone to support your chin. If he legs drop, the thighs should be supported lightly. The simple paddling movement will make you travel comfortably through the water, gaining confidence, but as the breathing in this position is difficult, go on to the “ dog paddle ” arm stroke as soon as possible, keeping the arms under ■water, and a .‘■’’Hit side to side roll will facilitate breathing, which must be regular. The head should be kept erect, as in walking, with a sidevays turn fo r breathing. Do not otherwise alter or jerk the head as this will make the feet sink and break the balance of the body. These movements are almost sufficient for a beginner, but when thoroughly accustomed to them, gradually make the reach and downward pull of the arms (with palms down) longer with less bend at the elbow, taking the arms out of the water at the end of the propelling movement by relaxing completely and bending up, then for recovery by moving slightly away from the body and forward into position again as easily as possible. Try not to move the shoulders. The arms should be brought down while. propelling towards the centre of your body with fingers and thumbs together. In the crawl, the breathing can be quite natural, and must be kept free and regular, thus enabling you to cover and distance, for proper breathing is essential in all forms of continued physical effort to prevent any strain on the heart or lungs.

Inhale on every alternate stroke by turning the head to the left while propelling with' the right arm (or by turning right and propelling with the left arm if preferred) and exhale during its recovery. The intake is rapid but the'breath should be let out gradually. When commencing to combine the arm and leg movements do not worry about the rhythm as this will come naturally with practise. Keep the leg movement smooth, and later you will probably find you are doing two’ or three leg kicks to each arm. but at first when doing the “ dog paddle ” arm movement it is easier to do iust one leg movement to each arm, propelling with the right arm as you drop the left leg. I will end this lesson with a few important don’ts..

Don’t try too h?rd. Don’t jerk the ifiovement. Don’t stiffen the muscles. Don’t hold the breath at first then suddenly take huge uneven gulps. Don’t hurry the movements. Don’t let the legs sink. Don't drop the head low in the water. Don't part the fingers. Don’t bend at the knees or hips. Don’t get discouraged if you do not make much headway at first.