THE SKIMMING PLUNGE.
This method of plunging is more difficult to acquire than the pre vious one ; but, when thoroughly mastered, it will be found one of the most useful, as it certainly is one of the most graceful, feats in swimming. In fact, a person's ability as a swimmer may be pretty accurately determined by the way in which he plunges, even before he swims a stroke.
This style of plunging is of the greatest service in water that i# shallow, or of which the depth is unknown, also when the swimmer desires that the impetus of stould aid his progress, as in a swimming match, or when there is a necessity for reaching any object in a short time, as, for example, when a fellow-creature is in danger of drowning.
It consists in springing forward, and, directly the feet leave the ground, straightening the body and making it perfectly rigid. The arms are to be extended in advance of the head, forefingers of each hand to be in contact, and the palms to be held either downward or close together.
The thighs and legs, from the hips to the big toes, are to be kept close, and the feet turned back until the insteps of both feet are in nearly a straight line with the shins, as shown in Fig. 32.
The body should still be held firm while moving along the surface, and the breath has, of course, to be held, if the face is kept downward. Some expert swimmers prefer turning the face upward, and gliding into the water on their back. This is certainly the most pleasant method of taking this plunge. The more closely the figure, entrance, and motion resemble that of an arrow discharged from a bow, the more graceful and effective is the plunge..
A distance of forty or fifty feet has been often accomplished by this method.