REVOLVING ON THE SURFACE As soon as a swimmer has learnt to float with ease, and fully understands the principles which regulate all expert floating, the feat known as revolving on the surface may be attempted. It is useless trying to achieve this object beforehand, because, like many other tricks, it entirely depends on the learner's capacity for balancing himself. Not a single swimming action is required.
In beginning this feat the body is first of all brought into the position of horizontal floating, the legs are closed, and the hands extended beyond the head, the thumbs being locked together. When the body is quite stationary and the lungs are inflated, the revolutions can be begun. As in all other floating feats, this fact cannot be too strongly impressed upon the novice—every movement must be gentle and gradual. The face is slowly turned to the right, and the muscular force of the right side of the body so exerted as to cause the body to topple over on to the face ; and immediately this is effected the direction of force is changed to the left side of the body, which immediately begins to turn round on to the face again.
Needless to say, this trick requires to be done very neatly to be appreciated, and many patient trials must be made before perfection can be expected.
After a time from ten to twelve revolutions can be made all regularly and in quick succession without any pause between them. The first turn over sets the body in motion, and once this can be done properly the after movement is comparatively easy if the swing of the shoulder be made rhythmic. No swimmer should attempt to perform this trick before spectators unless he can accomplish it gracefully ; otherwise it looks as if a gigantic struggle to keep on the surface of the water were taking place.