WHY GIRLS SHOULD SWIM

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 187, 11 September 1909, Page 4

WHY GIRLS SHOULD SWIM

IT IS FASCINATING, HEALHY, AND NOT DANGEROUS. When one thinks over the matter, it is surprising what a small proportion of women and girls, even among those who lake a great pleasure in outdoor game:-, will take the trouble to master swimming, a sport both fascinating and extremely useful. There seems to be some tradition of

mystery and danger hanging about the ml. Line asks a girl why slie does not swim, lo be told that she won l l never have the nerve, or that she luo no one to teach her.

The first-mentioned deterrent can he easily overcome by the application of will-power, and there is reali'y n-> ground lor the second excuse.

It is quite possible to learn without employing an instructor, for swimming is pre-eminently an art in which mutual hejip is easily rendered. , A (airly good swimmer can quickly and satisfactorily teach her sisters and friends. In addition to the mere juy uf swimming, which in itself i, m; sinall tiling, no exercise is. better or more ca,ciliated to develop the body uniformly and weii; it is exhilarating, cleanly ami healthy. The improvement in 'the physique of those who become really good and fairly constant swimmers is little less than rii-

mark-able. Nothing in the way of exercise is so successful in giving one a wellbalanced and well-developed figure as swimming.

The question of costume for bathing is rather an important one, and one of some difficulty for the girl who, whilst a sufficiently expert swimmer to desire freedom and comfort in the water, has yet to bathe from a crowded beacit und»r the observation of the idlers on the sands.

A well-known lady swimmer writes, regarding the choice of a costume for swimming: "The main points to be considered are, of course, material, convenience, and, after that, appearance. Regarding the first, though myself favoring a fairly thick stockinette, I am quite willing to admit that silk and wool fabric, serge, and Turkey twill are almost equally favorable., Bunting was once somewhat in favor, but it proved h 'Year to become so thin and 'perished,' and in the lighter shades was so embarassingly transparent, that its use is almost entirely confined to the inexperienced, who "have yet to buy knowledge in such matters.

"Though the ideal costume for practical swimmers is close-fitting, skirtlcss, and practically sleeveless, I am willing to admit that many do not find an absolutely skirtlcss costume becoming. For them one made with tunic and knickerbockers in one, with a sdiort skirt, put on with the belt, not reaching within several inches of the knees, will probably meet all requirements. "Sipenking generally, th less elaborate the costume the better it is for the purposes of swimming. IPerhaps I may be permitted to add that nothing tight round the waists should be worn, and that if a band is neccsary for the type lof costume chosen, it should be made | loose enough to allow for the shrinkage. I amounting to perhaps a couple of , inches, which will take place." Many persons are prevented from be.coming swimmers by file mistaken noi lion that it is dangerous for women to |*wim. There are, of course, idividual cases in which swimming, being a fairly violent form of exercise, should be avoided, hut in such cases almost any excr tion would be equally harmful. Girls affected with ,nny weakness, or suspected weakness, of' the heart or lungs should certainly have medical ad vice before swimming, or indeed bathins at all.

Any woman or girl who finds that she ;s cold after bathing, and remains so; feels giddy whilst in the water, or after coming out; feels fatigue which is excessive, or does not soon pass off; feels breathless on attempting to swim;'or finds a headache come on after bathing, may take any of these signs as undeniably indicative that she should not attempt bathing.