The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 11 (March 1, 1928)
Swimming and Health
Swimming and Health.
In “Health Notes” supplied to the “New Zealand Press” by the Health Department was included an extract on “The Art of Swimming.” This extract was from an English publication on School Hygiene contributed by the British Medical Association.
One-third of the column referred to is devoted to the various swimming strokes which were under observation by this Association. As a result of their investigations they give worldwide publicity to the extraordinary pronouncement that the first stroke taught the child should be the “breast.”
In swimming circles it is generally held that England is, unfortunately, a quarter of a century behind in the art of swimming, and a careful study of the contributed article confirms this opinion. For instance, the Association informs us that the submersion of the head, through inducing irregular breathing, makes the “crawl” stroke harmful and unsuitable for the child.
It is quite evident that the “crawl” stroke as practised to-day in England is something similar to what was known in this country twenty years ago as the “Australian Crawl.”
The modern “crawl” stroke is only a corrected form of the natural stroke—the “dog paddle”—and is easily acquired. Normal children under skilled instruction will actually swim a short distance in from one to four 15-minute lessons. If the head is submerged the action is incorrect. When the modern “crawl” is properly done the swimmer breathes as easily as if lying on a bed. When the child has mastered this stroke it is capable of swimming long distances without exertion, can combat strong currents and tides, and is admirably fitted, not only to protect its own life, but to assist its less fortunate fellows.
Evidently, generations back, our forefathers adopted the actions of the frog as the ideal swimming stroke, terming this unnatural manipulation of the human limbs the “breast” stroke. To swim this stroke correctly it is necessary that there be complete unison of action with the legs, arms and breathing. It is so difficult to acquire that only a small percentage become actually efficient. A very large proportion, even after years of effort, become only indifferent swimmers, and when let [gap — reason: illegible] on the world of waters are a menace to their own and the public safety.
Whilst it is freely acknowledged that the most efficient breast stroke swimmer can swim long distances without serious exertion, the progress is slow, and the swimmer, because of his complete bodily immersion, is at the mercy of the tides and currents.
The risk arising from teaching “breast” first is that the pupil has afterwards extreme difficulty in acquiring the “crawl.”
The question is, what is the correct swimming stroke to be first taught, the “breast” or the modern “crawl”?
In America, where swimming is at a very high standard, the “breast” is discouraged. In England, where it is at a very low standard, the “crawl” is not encouraged. Australia has turned out some of the world's fastest men swimmers, but their women have been only moderately proficient. In this country, whilst our male swimmers are very much below standard, our women compare more than favourably with the world's best.
Up to six years back the “breast” was taught in some of the New Zealand State schools. Of what is being done to-day I have no knowledge.
The only professional instruction classes for our school children that I am aware of are those conducted by Professor Anderson at the “Point Erin” Baths, Auckland. His services are engaged by the local swimming club to instruct about 3,000 pupils of the five Ponsonby district schools in the art of swimming the modern “crawl.”
As it is highly important that matter published under authority of the Health Department should be absolutely dependable, this matter should be further investigated.
If the Medical Association of this country would put these Ponsonby classes under observation and publish their considered opinions, it would settle a matter of vital importance to the community. If anything of this nature is to be done this year it will have to be pushed forward, as the classes terminate about the middle of March.
Any fish can float down stream—it takes a li one to swim up.