TO REGULATE THE BREATHING.
Many swimmers of long experience, and some even, who compete in swimming matches, as well as learners, find difficulty in regulating the breath. Now, there need be no more difficulty in breathing while swimming in the water than when walking on terra firma. It is as easy to breathe in the one as on the other, once the new sensations on learning it have been got over.
The fastest and best of our living swimmers have the mouth and nostrils immersed for at least two thirds of the time they are swimming; this, along with the improved side stroke, and overhand swim ming, accounts for the good time accomplished at swimming matches.
The swimmer on paying attention to the fact will find, that mouth and nostrils lie deepest at the beginning of the stroke, while they are raised above the surface, as the arms are brought round in the second part of the movement. It will therefore be
easily understood, that to breath regularly, he should exhale, or' partly empty the lungs at " one." This is easily done although the mouth is under water. The lungs are then filled in an instant during the second part of the movement.
Be sure to breathe regularly every stroke.
Cart must at first be taken until accustomed to the operation, not to open the mouth too soon for the purpose of inhalation, else water instead of air will be taken in.
The ordinary hap-hazard way of breathing spas modically is a great mistake, and brings its own punishment. The swimmer on many occasions, in stead of inhaling a supply of air, gulping down a mouthful of water, which causes gasping, splashing, and it may be sinking. Breathing with method and precision ensures comfort and confidence.