LEARN TO SWIM

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20730, 14 February 1939, Page 3

LEARN TO SWIM

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN METHODS OF INSTRUCTION POINTS FOR BEGINNERS Instructions for teaching or learning swimming, which arc exactly the same as those being officially used m the national lcarn-to-swim campaign now in progress, have been madp available by the National Committee of Swimming and Life-saving. It is intended to publish the lessons in instalments, so that anyone wishing to swim may learn thoroughly by stages, beginning with the strictly elementary* exercises. This method of instruction in swimming was agreed upon by New Zealand’s most competent coaches at a conference held in Wellington last December. It has been approved as the standard means of instruction in the Dominion by the technical authority, the Bureau of Instruction and Coaching of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association. Lesson 1. —Confidence Confidence is the first essential in swimming. Many method*, such a> romping and fun generally, may be used to gain the pupils commence and eliminate water shyness when iu is first learning to swim. To establish order and sequence in instruction progress through several stages ha: proved successful. (Note.—-This can be practised a bath. Constant practicH is necessary Breath euiilnd is the key to sucres' ! ‘H /T-Tldd' the nose, shut Hie eye* breathe in and shut the mmitli. ami . with all the.-a* closed in Ibis manner ! submerge the head and stay below fo i the count M live. b Still bolding the nose, as in lb j first exercise, and with the mouth an { eyes shut, open I lie eyes when com pietely below the water ami coun ! live. j (C Hold the Cde of the bath. 11l h .ml*. >Ub.l e i Now wliat follows i» most impurUn I Wiieu Hie lace m Uitcci, breathe tli

water out of the nose, open the mouth and take another breath. Don t fad to do this, as it will be of great assist ance to you. (d) Lay the cheek on the water, take in a breath through the mouth, place the face in the water, breathe out through the nose and mouth, then turn the face for another breath ami breathe in. Repeat the exercise. (Note. —Try to do this exercise daily at home for at least ten minutes.; A Further Exercise (a) The pupil stands about waistdeep at the edge of the bath or pool, grasping the rail or rope at waterlevel. tlm arms at full length. (b Take a dee-p breath, and count to five audibly. The object is to give the pupil an idea as to how long he will he expected to remain at the next stage. c (i; Grasping rail, (ii) take a deep breath and (iii) go under, hold the breath for a moment, and open the eyes as the breath is lot out through the nose and mouth in the form of a sigh. The object of this exercise is to open the eyes under tlie water. (To be continued.)