PORPOISE SWIMMING An exhibition of porpoise ' swimming makes a very inter esting and diverting change from the usual list of fancy tricks, and if a number of swimmers take part in the entertainment, and perform the trick together, it becomes highly amusing to the spectators.
When learning this trick there are no very great difficulties to be overcome. The ability to float is unnecessary, and only swimming power is needed, the body being guided in its up ward and downward course by the action of the arms, and the bending forwards and backwards of the head. For speed the performer must rely entirely upon the legs, except, of course, when swimming under water, when the breast-stroke is brought into play.
It is stated by some writers that in order to execute the feat well the swimmer should spring from the bottom of the bath or some other firm take-off ; but this is absurd in view of the fact that the trick is intended to demonstrate the power a swimmer has in the water, as well as to imitate the action of a porpoise, whose take-off is not as a rule very firm.
The trick can be accomplished quite easily, and far more gracefully than by adopting such an artificial aid. The lungs should first of all be cleared, and then a full breath taken in.
As the chest begins to inflate the body should be sunk under water, and the mouth go below the surface as the inspiration finishes. A couple of under-water breast-strokes, a turn of the head upwards, and a vigorous kick with the legs will send the head out of the water.
As the body is rising an ordinary arm-stroke shoiild be taken, and then, as soon as the head appears, the arms, which must be recovered to the first position of the breast-stroke, should be forced together downward through the water from the level of the surface to the side of the hips. This will cause the body to roll over as if working on a firm pivot.
Immediately the hands begin to come down towards the hips the legs should be straightened by means of a vigorous kick, so as to force the head and shoulders out of the water. A quick inclination of the head towards the chest will assist the body in its roll over, and the back and legs will in turn become visible after the head is again sunk, the legs being the last to go down, in almost the same spot where the head dis appeared.
If the breathing be fairly regulated, this trick can be per formed a number of times in succession.