PLUNGING.
Plunging is the act of springing into the water head-first. This is the only method of entering the water which a dashing swimmer will allow himself to use ; when the learner has become somewhat familiar with the element and its buoyant power, and has learned the proper use of his limbs in it, according to the instructions contained in the previous pages of this work, he will look with some degree of contempt upon walking into the water after the very mild manner that is only appropriate to those who cannot swim. He will not be satisfied until he is able to throw a little more spirit into the proceedings, and enter the water with a plunge ; and, in learning to do so, he must practise with as much care and attention as he displayed in the previous les sons. The progress should he quite gradual, until the learner is able to plunge, with perfect confidence, from a height of twenty-five feet,. or more. So accurately can this be done, that it is a well-known practice among expert swimmers to mount a tree or other elevation, throw a wooden hoop into the water, and dive through it without touching its sides. These remarks apply with equal force to ladies. Many of my female pupils attained great proficiency in the art of plunging and diving.
The author would impress upon the learner the importance of ascertaining the depth of the water before plunging into it ; for while it is important that the water should not be too deep (even although the swimmer may have learned the rudiments of swimming), it is far more important that it should not be too shallow. Great care must, therefore, be taken to avoid both extremes.
In learning to plunge, the palms of the hands should be placed together and the arms extended in advance of the head, so as to pre sent a wedge, by which the water is separated to admit the pasSage of the head through its substance. There is sometimes a
with learners in beginning to plunge, as if the water would hurt like• a hard substance ; this fear can be got rid of by the learner assum ing the attitude shown in Fig. 29, and tumble himself forward,. thus gaining confidence. One good " header " that occupies but a moment or two, will prevent chills, headaches and other unpleasant sensations that usually follow the objectionable plan of wading into. the water by inches.
There are cases where a swimmer is obliged to enter the water where it is not of sufficient depth to permit the ordinary plunge ; the best way is to make a run forward and throw the body nearly, but not quite, horizontally into the water, and to curve the back as far as possible, when the head has fairly touched the surface (see Fig. 30)_ This style is adopted by the Eton College boys, and is generally known as the Eton plunge. An expert will boldly throw himself into the water in this manner from the bank, although only three feet or so in depth. Indeed, there are some who can manage this feat so adroitly, that their heads actually emerge above the surface as their feet are submerged.
Great care must be taken to hold the body firmly braced; as the sudden change of curve in the spine is apt to cause a strain that might lead to dangerous results.
When executed properly the head dips but little below the sur face, the back is just covered, and the whole figure slanted upwards again immediately.