DANGERS OF SURF BATHING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2074, 6 January 1920, Page 4

DANGERS OF SURF BATHING.

In im article on “Dangers of Surf Bathing,” the Christchurch Star says: °Properly indulged in, surf bathing is a most delightful and healthful sport, and it would be a thousand pities if anyone reasonably flt were deterred from, entering the surf on account of the dangers which exist. If proper precautions are taken, there' is very little or no, danger attached to surf bathing. Bathing should always, if possible, be indulged in with the tide coming in, and the strongest swimmer is depth. A good swim can always be well advised to keep within his had while the swimmer can touch the sand beneath him with his feet if necessary. There are many who, unable to swim, enter the surf up to their armpits, and feel' quite safe. It is a great mistake to do this. Owing to the vagaries of the breakers, it often happens that an extra two or three feet of depth is added to any given spot by a sudden inrush of water. Thus the bather who is unable to swim, or who can swim only poorly, finds himself suddenly swept off his feet, loses his self-pos-session as likely as not, and in the ensuing panicky struggle becomes exhausted, and left to the mercy of the tide, which, if it happens to be running out, takes him with it if assistance is not forthcoming.