In the year 1899, M. A. Holbein, hitherto known as a long-distance cyclist, swam from Blackwall to two miles beyond Gravesend and back to within a mile of the starting-point, an estimated distance of forty-three miles, in 12 hrs. 27 min. 421 secs. In August of the same year he swam for twelve hours in the Solent, covering in that time an estimated distance of between forty-six and forty-seven miles. On both occasions his body was.quite warm when he finished, and so little affected was he by the prolonged immersion that, but for the advice of his coach, he would have continued swimming. In 1901 Holbein made his first attempt to swim the Channel, but after being in the water twelve hours had to be taken out through ex• haustion consequent upon being thrown about nearly six hours in half a gale. In 1902 he made two more attempts, the best being on August 27, when he swam for 23 hours and 21 minutes. He was then thoroughly exhausted, and as an adverse current was carrying him out his friends stopped him when only about a mile from the English coast. His fourth attempt was made this year (1903), this time from the English side, his previous efforts having been from Cape Grisnez. Again the tides proved too strong for him, for when within four miles of the French coast he was drifted out until eight miles off, and then he gave up after being in the water a little over seventeen hours. On this occasion he came out of the water comparatively fresh, and at once asserted his intention of again attempting to achieve the ambition of his life when favourable weather offered opportunity.
There can be no doubt that the encouragement of sea swimming, not only as a pastime but for practical purposes, is most beneficial to fishermen and those who go down to the sea in ships, as well as to all those who are engaged in pursuits connected with shipping, and at many coast towns the annual swimming matches are a great source of attraction. The distances are usually much longer than the majority of bath swimmers care to enter for, but coast men wisely believe that the ability to swim for a long distance if necessary is the true ideal of a swimmer, and they consider that class of sport in their programmes accordingly. The matches which take place on the West Coast of England every year are the most important races of the kind that are held in Great Britain. We take the Plymouth meeting as an example. It is held in the sea just off the Hoe, and is attended by persons from all parts of Devon and Cornwall. Special trains are run by the railway companies to the town, and by the time the racing begins the Hoe and Pier are black with people, while the water in the vicinity of the course is crowded with craft. The shape of the harbour lends additional interest to the scene, as the Hoe forms a natural amphitheatre accommodating thousands upon thou sands of spectators ; and the beautiful view across the harbour to Mount Edgcumbe and the Breakwater all tend indelibly to impress the striking picture upon any swimmers whose good fortune it has been to be able to compete at one of the meet ings. But what, perhaps, to a bath swimmer seems most extraordinary, is the almost absolute omission of short-distance racing and handicaps of any character. A similar gathering takes place at Penzance every year, shortly before or after Plymouth, according to the state of the tide, and one also at St. Ives. A
fresh-water meeting at Exeter usually finishes the week's sport. At Douglas, Isle of Man, Jersey, Portsmouth, Brighton, many places along the Scotch coast, &c., meetings are annually held. Jersey and Portsmouth are probably the two best known coast organisations, apart from those in .the West of England. They both have an enormous list of members, and their annual meetings evoke very much interest. The bathing place at Jersey is a charming resort, which the officers of the club are always improving, so as to afford the utmost comfort to visitors. At Portsmouth, the club has to use stages, which are run out from the beach on huge wooden wheels, cased with iron. They are admirably suited for the work, and are always full of bathers during the season.
On the wooden platform a light iron framework, extending nearly the whole length of the stage, is erected. This frame work is covered with sailcloth, and so forms a complete canvas shed. At the entrance end of the stage, which is approached from the beach by a movable gangway, is a small compartment fitted with lockers for the use of the attendants. From this compartment the swimmers step out on to the gangway running down the side of the stage, and walk along aided by a guiding rope to the end of the platform, where the entrance to the covered part is placed. The uncovered part of the stage, which is of course the end farthest away from the beach, is protected by side rails and shielded by canvas. A spring diving-board is fixed at this point, and close to it a strong ladder with broad treads. Similar ladders are on either side of the stage. The inside of the covered portion is divided on one side into a number of small compartments for the use of one or more swimmers. On the other side is a narrow passage, extending the whole length of the stage, into which all these cabins open. Each compartment is protected by a sailcloth curtain in front, and side partitions made of the same material. The stage is well ventilated, kept scrupulously clean, and properly drained. By means of a windlass and chain the huge erection can be slowly drawn up above high-water mark, or lowered into the sea as far as may be necessary according to the state of tide.
The best material for making ladies' bathing dresses is Turkey twill. The costume should be tight-fitting, and if considered desirable can be made with knickerbockers and a short skirt ; but for speed swimming the absence of skirt is preferable. The costume should be trimmed with the club colours, and made neatly, but not elaborately. Waterproof caps are worn by many ladies. For men the University costume is best.
There are a few places in England, such as Sea View, in the Isle of Wight, where whole families bathe together in the sea, but this pleasure is almost totally prohibited, either by beach regulations or custom, throughout Great Britain. But at Trouville, Boulogne, and other continental watering-places, no such restrictions are placed upon bathers. The costumes worn at the fashionable French resorts are of the most elaborate description, and it is no uncommon thing to see expensive, but withal dainty, creations of Worth, the great Parisian dressmaker, worn on the sands at Trouville. In the daily bathing festivals are mere show parades.