Every man who participates actively in sport should do so with the idea of developing his bodily powers ; and with the ample opportunities now provided the athlete of the present day need never be at a loss to obtain properly directed exercise. If a man be possessed of a vigorous body and pay daily attention to it, he will in later years find that he is in possession of a veritable mine of wealth. The following trenchant remarks on this subject appeared in one of the annual reports of Harvard College : If sound health were one of the requisitions for the enjoyment of scholarships, parents who expected to need aid in educating their boys would have their attention directed in an effective way to the wise regimen of health, while young men who had their own education to get would see that it was only prudent for them to secure a wholesome diet, plenty of fresh air, and regular exercise. To attain success and length of service in any of the learned pro fessions, a vigorous body is well-nigh essential. A busy lawyer, editor, minister, physician, or teacher has need of greater physical endurance than a farmer, trader, manufacturer, or mechanic. All professional biography teaches that to win lasting distinction in sedentary indoor occupations, which task the brain and the nervous system, extraordinary toughness of body must accompany extra ordinary mental powers.
Innumerable proofs of this statement might be quoted, and although some abnormal examples of vigorous mental powers being co-existent with diseased and enfeebled bodies can easily be named, the undoubted fact that a vigorous physical body is a great advantage to a vigorous mind cannot be gainsaid. This, then, should be the aim of all training, the aim of all true sport. The man who has properly trained for swimming . races will finish his career enriched in vigour, his whole body will be developed, and not merely two or three particular sets of muscles ; and although he may not be able to undergo the severe ordeal of racing with any chance of success against younger men, he will enjoy life more, and take pleasure in his pastime until old age creeps upon him.
The only general rules of training that are applicable to all are these : participation in those forms of exercise calculated to improve the physical powers ; plenty of fresh air ; avoidance of overwork and exceptionally late hours, of excess in diet, and the use of tobacco and stimulants.
The amount of practice that a swimmer should take in the water must be regulated by his habits and social position. If engaged during the day, the only time for practice is in the morning or evening ; and as bath racing usually takes place in the day, we incline to .the opinion that the principal work should be done at that time. Some men can stand early morning swims as well, but many get stale if they practise both morning and evening.
When beginning to practise in the water, the first week or two should be devoted to long, steady swims, with an occasional burst, so that the powers of endurance may be advanced while the speed already gained is not lost. Practice
may be taken every day by some swimmers, but with others this will prove too often. Here, again, the frequency of the swims must be left to the discretion of the individual. If he find that he is getting ' stale,' the number of water practices should be lessened, and some other form of exercise substituted. Too great stress cannot be placed on the need there is for a swimmer at the outset of the season to take long steady swims. One or two prominent racing clubs insist upon all their members doing this, and it is astonishing what improve ment has been manifested after such trials of endurance have been carried on for a fcw days.
In the early stages of training it is of importance for a man to be properly looked after, not allowed to stand or play about in the bath without doing a fair amount of swimming, and after undressing and again before dressing properly groomed and towelled. Grooming is in itself a fine art. An ordinary rough towel may be used first of all to dry the body, but the best second towel is the hand of an astute trainer. A good rub down both with towel and hand puts new life into a swimmer. His muscles become ready for action, the friction increases the circulation near the skin, and invigorates the system. In the absence of a skilled trainer, the rubbing should be done with a rough towel—the rougher the better. All the muscles of the legs, the arms, back, and chest should receive attention, until the body glows all over. A practised.swimmer never misses his rub down before a plunge ; the experience is too pleasant to be forgotten, and the after effects too invigorat ing for it to be neglected. A cold bath in the morning, or even a sponge down, with a good towelling after, is a capital incentive to work, and one which persons other than swimmers might adopt to their own advantage.
Whilst in training or, indeed, if a man be often in the water, the hair should be kept short. With long hair there is a greater liability to catch cold, as the drying process is not so quickly and effectually performed ; and in addition long hair is a nuisance when one has to dress rapidly, as between the heats of a race, or to be in time to witness another contest taking place at the same meeting. If the swimmer is not accustomed to wear a costume, he should occasionally practise in the one he would wear in a race, so that if the arm action be in terfered with, or the under part of the arm likely to get chafed in a long swim, the dress may be altered before the day of the race. A skin-tight costume should be used, with bathing drawers underneath of silk. All binding, both of costume and drawers, should be of some soft material. It is a mistake to have ornamental braid or anything of that nature, as the swimmer who does not take this hint will find out to his incon venience—at any rate, if he practises much.