THE OVERHAND STROKE.
The increase of speed attained by means of this latest and most approved method of pro pulsion is fully demonstrated by the fact that for some years past it has been generally adopted by the best English prize swimmers. By its use the fastest swimming on record has been performed at all distances, from ioo yards to two miles. Why it has not become more general in Scotland is beyond comprehension.
Some controversy has taken place as to who was the first to practise this stroke with anything like success.
Harry Gardner, of London, it appears, used it so long ago as 1855, having in that year won a silver medal at a swimming match in the Lambeth Baths, London. Certain it is that he was the first to win a race of any importance swimming overhand, having between August, 1862, and the same month, 1864, held the Soo yards Manchester challenge cup, beating among others such fine swimmers as Aspinal, Mather, and Meakin.
Harry Gurr, of London, further proved the efficacy of the stroke by having, on the 22nd July, 1863, won the first race for Sir William Fraser's gold medal, distance i mile, against 22 competitors, on the river Thames. He also won, on the 5th September, 1864, the first race for the 2 miles champion cup, and held it the stipulated time, when it became his own property.
The apparent ease and grace with which this stroke may be practised is fully exemplified in the swimming of Dave Pamplin, of London, who is justly entitled to be called the most graceful swimmer who ever entered water. He cleaves through the water almost noiselessly, like an arrow discharged from a bow, leaving scarcely a ripple behind him. His uppermost hand is lifted swiftly and quietly out of the water, and again dipped without a splash.
The overhand stroke has been further improved by J. B. Johnson, who has added to the length of the reach forward with both hands. Particu larly is this noticeable in the uppermost arm. Each particular movement of arms and legs has been made a matter of careful study, and the result is that all his limbs work with mechanical precision and neatness. This, combined with his great mus
cular development, and staying powers, place him first as an exponent of the art of natation; and to him must be accorded the honour and credit of having brought the overhand stroke to its present high state of perfection.
It is admitted that this method is as much superior to the side stroke, with hands under water, as the side stroke was years ago to flat swimming. The motions of legs and undermost hand are similar to those per formed when practising the side stroke. The characteristics of the new method are, that the top most hand, immediately it has delivered the stroke in front of the body, instead of being returned to the shoulder under, is lifted gracefully out of, and carried along above the surface of the water, and then stretched as far as the hand can reach, beyond and in front of the head, in the direction of pro gress. (See Fig. in Plate IV.) The hand is then dipped without splashing and pulled strongly along the body, performing the positive part of the stroke.
The muscles of arms and shoulders should be relaxed at every stroke. By this means a rest is afforded them, and when the muscles are again set for the propelling part of the movement, they are of course stronger and capable of greater exertion than could otherwise be the case. One of the advantages not to be overlooked in this stroke is that when the uppermost arm is thrown forward, it has a long reach, and is carried with a springy motion, thus adding momentum to the onward progress.
The fact that head and face are wholly immersed for three-fourths of the time diminishes the weight, and consequently increases the speed. The mouth will be just clear of the surface when the hand is being carried out of the water. This therefore is the time to inhale. Exhale through the nostrils when the hand is being pulled along the body. Be par ticular to rinse the mouth, gargle the throat, and have all the air passages quite clear before entering the water, especially if going in for a trial of speed.