Get Into The Swim!

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1022, 12 July 1930, Page 18

Get Into The Swim!

Sport That

Assures Grace

and Symmetry

■NE frequently hoars of a swimming record be■ing broken, for such news travels fast. I know because I've shattered some marks myself, writes Martha Norelius, the famous girl champion.

But one seldom hears of the beneficial effects of swimming, for the majority of persons, women especially, are content to admit that it’s good for safety and health’s sake and let it go at that. Here, again, I know, because recently I’ve had occasion to study this condition.

It’s odd, too, that such an Indifferent air should prevail, particularly among the feminine classes, since swimming has proved itself to be the moat profitable of physical exercises known for women.

Swimming makes them healthy and beautiful, curing the ill and rounding out the undeveloped. Furthertpore, those who already possess such qualities preserve them through swimming. Swimming is probably the greatest body-building -exercise there is for women today. Also, it is about the best natural beautlfler that I know; of, and is always dependable. By bringing into play every- muscle of the body. It produces symmetry, which makes a woman beautiful and keeps her that way.

I’ve been swimming ever since I was five years Old, and, as a have certainly profited immensely. I

speak not of the medals and championships I’ve won, but of the robust health I now possess because of swimming. I was about five when I really started to swim. Father took a great deal of interest in teaching me the rudiments of swimming. For some time, like most children, I had a fear of the water, but gradually this fear lessened, and when I finally discovered that I could stay afloat by moving my legs and ai ms, I lost all fear of the water. That was, of course, the first great battle to be won in teaching me how to swim. With all fear gone, I made great progress, and by the time I entered school I was a good, swimmer for my age. Almost any healthy girl should be able to accomplish what I have in the way of perfecting herself in swimming. There is no mysterious secret to it, but, rather, like anything else, good instruction, practice and then more practice. Nearly all girls who have won great success in the water began to swim when very young. While it is rather uncomfortable for me to discuss what swimming has done for me along beauty lines, I will say that I am proud of my figure, and have only swimming to thank for it.

Exercise for

Poise, Says Martha Norelius

Exercising in water has developed my body proportionately, and has given my skin that rosy complexion. My hair, also, has benefited with a natural lustre.

But what I prize most of all is the way swimming has allowed me to escape stoutness, which is the bugaboo of most women.

Ironically enough, swimming also does the opposite, and adds weight to women who are lean. Because of its normalising influences, thin women are able to put on an extra layer of flesh where it is needed. Though I heartily endorse competitive swimming, for all women who are in a position to enter this field—for it makes for continual practice—it is not at all necessary for them to enter races to derive benefit from the exercise. What profits I have received from swimming may be gained by any woman who spends a little time at it. An occasional swim will help, but to get the most out of it one should indulge with some sort of regularity. This does not mean that a woman has to swim every day, but that she should go in the water as often as possible. The healthful influences of swimming will act in this way. Women who are troubled with abdominal or nerve disorders will free themselves of these ailments through swimming, while those suffering from forms of paralysis will correct their infirmities. Also, by swimming, women who are ordinarily well will conserve their strength, and have it in reserve to ward off disease.

Various specific developments which are decidedly advantageous to one’s health are made by the different steps in swimming The deep inhalation through the mouth increases a woman’s lung capacity. Arm and leg motions circulate the-blood, and make it flow more swiftly, which in turn vitalises every tissue in the body. By the combination of the breathing and arm and leg movements, the body burns up its impurities. There are many beauty values which in themselves ought to make women take their swimming more seriously Few' exercises will develop a woman’s body as symmetrically as swimming will. Swimming is important primarily in equalising a woman’s weight. By the continued action of the muscles around the waistline, swimming removes those dreaded rolls of flesh. It also fills in hollow necks and other too-slender portions of the body, because an even amount of flesh must be present to give resistance to the water, aud nature has a way of making such provision. Good posture aud poise, other outstanding beauty attributes, may also be attained by women through swimming.