Part 5 (1/2)

THE TORPEDO

This is a rather difficult performance. It requires a great deal of practise. The movements are almost identical with those in the ”propeller,” the main difference being that in this trick the head is kept under water.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE TORPEDO]

To begin, the performer should lie flat in the water on his back, with his arms stretched out beyond his head. The palms should be turned upward. Then the legs should be raised from the hips, and kept rigid.

This will cause the body to become submerged, all but the ankles and feet. One then must work the hands the same as in ”propeller,” but at the end of each stroke make a slight upward pressure with the palms, so that the body may retain its position below the water.

The movement of the hands will cause the body to move forward, feet first. The swimmer should at all times keep his eyes open in order to guide himself in a straight line.

THE CATHERINE WHEEL

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE CATHERINE WHEEL]

This is a very effective ”stunt.” After a.s.suming the floating position, turn on the right side, with the arms at full length, the hands close to the body, and the knees drawn up. Begin by moving the legs sideways; that is, bring each knee up alternately, straightening out the legs and making a wide sweep with each leg before bringing it up again. The legs are used the same as paddles on a side-wheeler, as in the ill.u.s.tration.

This should be practised on both sides. One hand is made to scoop the water toward the body in front, while the other is manipulated the same way at the back. With a little practise one thus may simulate a Catherine wheel--at least when the act is done rapidly and efficiently.

ROLLING

To roll in the water one has to be able to float well; to roll easily the body must float as high in the water as possible. No movements of arms or legs are required at all, the balancing being done with the head.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ROLLING]

First get into a floating position, the arms extended beyond the head, the ankles crossed as in the ill.u.s.tration. Then fill the lungs well with air, and gently rock the body from side to side, increasing the motion until the body rolls nearly over on its side. Having reached this position, turn the face well over on the right side, and the body will roll over and turn up again on the other side. After the first complete roll, once momentum is started, the second becomes easier. Several rolls can be made before stopping, provided the breath holds out. Always finish in the floating position. When one has learned how to roll over on the right side, rolling on the left side should be practised, until that movement becomes as easy as the other one. After practise the rolls can be made very easily and gracefully, without splas.h.i.+ng. The legs must always be kept crossed and together, never letting the hands come out of the water.

SWIMMING LIKE A PORPOISE

This trick, very interesting and pretty, is quite mirth-provoking to the onlooker, especially if indulged in by a number of swimmers. Unlike the vast majority of tricks performed in the water, it does not call for ability to float well, the only qualification being that one must be a fairly good swimmer.

Begin by lying flat on the water with the face downward. Then take a deep inspiration after having cleared the lungs. As the chest begins to inflate, the body must be allowed to sink under water. At the end of the inspiration the head should go below the surface. After a couple of breast strokes under water, turn the head upward. By executing a strong kick with the legs, the head will rise out of the water. As the body rises, make one stroke with the arms, and, as soon as the head comes up, the arms should be recovered to the first position of the breast stroke and pushed together downward through the water from its level to the side of the body. Simultaneously, as the hands are moving toward the body, the legs should be straightened with a sharp kick. This will force the head and shoulders out of the water.

[Ill.u.s.tration: SWIMMING LIKE A PORPOISE]

A sudden inclination of the head toward the chest will a.s.sist the body in rolling over, when the back and legs will become visible after the head is again under water, the legs being the last to sink. By carefully regulating the breathing, this movement can be effected a number of times.

THE PENDULUM

This is another very clever trick, requiring considerable practise; the main essential is ability to float. The ”pendulum” is primarily a balancing feat, a well-inflated chest being the main requisite.

The body should first be allowed to float on the water, with the arms stretched out beyond the head and in line with the body. The head must be thrown well back while the body is kept perfectly still. Then take a deep inhalation, bringing the head well forward, as if to look at the feet. Simultaneously with this movement draw hands toward the head.

These combined movements will cause the body to sink, and thus a.s.sume a perpendicular position in the water.

When the body has a.s.sumed a perpendicular position, the arms must be brought to the front of the body, stretched well out, and at the same time the head must be sunk between the arms until the face and arms lie on the surface of the water. When the arms and head are down, the feet will rise and the body float on the surface with the face down.