COMMON SENSE SWIMMING

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1928, Page 8

COMMON SENSE SWIMMING

POINTS FOR RATHFRS TO RE-MEM PER.

An interview with MISS HETTY FRIPP).

.V sensible swimmer might be defined ns one who. like a sensible motorist, never takes chances. Having learnt the essentials of the art she finds, as the sKater does, that she never loses them when out of practice. On the other hand a really good performer realises that, as in tennis and sports, much and continuous practice is necessary to keep her up to convert pitch.

A QUESTION OF MINUTES—OR HOURS.

It is entirely wrong to bathe shortly after a heavy meal, and unwise to do so directly after even a light one. As to the length of time you can remain in the water it depends upon many questions, such as physical fitness, custom, and the temperature of the elements. We find that some can stay in the water many hours —even an entire day or night— but most people’s bathing is limited to many minutes rather than hours.

DOES BATHING SPOIL ONE’S TENNIS.

The next point is whether the “eye” sat its best after bathing. It is commonly held by cricketers, tennis playrs, and others that they should not

lathe just before attempting to be at choir best at other sports. Perhaps his is due to the fact that swimming s an exciting and tiring exercise, as people will find if they try to do a lot if it on a day when they have strenu>us sports.

Another question which might hie debated is whether it is the glare ol the sun, or the exposure of the head to heat or keeping it under water as in deep diving which accounts for the headaches some swimmers complain of. Whatever explanation you favour, the ippropriate correctives are not far to seek.

.Swimming is a tiring sport, hut that does not prevent its being an extremely good exercise for all, and especially for those unfortunate individuals who. from one cause or another, suffer from weakness or disability of the legs.

TIRING FOR NERVES AND MUSCLES.

The density of the water supports he body to a very large extent, so that a man Suffering from complete analysis of both legs has been known o get the greatest enjoyment from swimming, in his case, ol course*, with he arms only. Yet the fact remains tnat swimming s a tiring exercise to the muscles, a 'erv large number of which it calls into ■day;-and also to the nerves, because those who are not skilled are appro lensive. and those who are skilled are ipt to concentrate very hard upon heir art. These facts apply also, and iven more, to diving, which needs, perl.aps, more courage, self-control, and leterminntion.

WHY SKILLED INSTRUCTORS AR E

ESSENTIAL

In all sports, but perhaps most >f all in swimming, get the best in,traction von can from the start. Bad habits, either of breathing, upon which i tremendous lot depends, or the control of the muscular movements, are so easily acquired and so very difficult to eradicate later. How often, for instance, does one bear the criticism about some lawn tennis player or cricketer that he could improve his game 25 per cent, if he had not this or that bad habit with his footwork. The ancients said, “Summa ars est velare nrtem,” and so it comes about Hint in any and every art the greater tin* exponent, the easier it looks to the uninitiated, who is deceived by tbe apparent “inevitableness” off the perform a lice. “Well begun—hall done” is an appropriate quotation.

A TEMPTING TOY FOR BEGINNERS.

An important point about children and novices is that it is the greatest mistake to push or force them. There is only one greater crime, and that is to dip them, which one likes to hope is a sin of the past. Let them paddle and splash on the edge and get rid ot their fears, and they will soon want to copy others whom they see enjoying the water farther out. They will he easily tempted on' hut you cannot force them, and any attempt at pressure will discourage them, perhaps permanently. An old inner tube of a motor-tyre inflated of course, is an excellent and great buoyancy, and huge fun can he had with it, as the little limbs find what a helj) it is to their owners to be able to join in the sport of the others without fear of sinking. PRACTICAL HINTS FOR SWIMMERS. Do not bathe directly after having a full meal. If you cannot swim do not go into water that is deeper than vour waist. Do not stay in after you feel cold. Learn earlv to float. The inner motor-tube will help you with this and also to practise the movements ol swimming.

If seized with cramp, turn on your hack and ffoat. Do not go out of your depth until you can swim and float on your hack. Never dive into water of which von do not know the depth, however great the temptation. Never trust running or tidal waters. Currents and tides are apt to he much stronger than you anticipate. Reware of the beach the slope ol which you do not know by experience. Novel- bathe alone. Discourage all shrieking. Never “duck” anybody, even in fun. Neglect no opportunity of learning some method of “ life-saving.” Many fatal accidents have resulted from ignorance of these laws, though they are so simple as hardly to appear worth repeating.