SWIMMING HANDS AND FEET TIED The ordinary method of swimming in this fashion is with the ankles and wrists firmly tied with tapes. The swimmer dives in somewhat obliquely, as if going for a plunge, so that he may rise to the surface on his breast without taking a stroke. Then the legs are drawn up until the calves closely approach the back of the thighs, from which position the legs are kicked out together. The arms are drawn down through the water together to the front of the body, and then shot out again. If the pressure be not too firmly applied, the movement will look very neat, although, of course, the pace will be slow ; but this is not of much consequence, as the object of performing the feat is to show that swimming can be carried out even under such a disadvantage as having the hands arid feet fastened.
Another method often demonstrated by experts is with the hands tied behind the back or to the side. The performer must swim on the back, and can only use the legs for propul sion. Progression then becomes easy, as it is a lighter task to
swim on the back with hands and feet tied than on the breast under similar conditions. If the person giving the exhibition can float well, a number of surface-floating tricks can be essayed when tied up.
There are a few professional swimmers who delight in tying themselves up with lengths of rope and then giving public exhibitions in the open, especially in running water, where it is much easier than in a bath. In a stream, a tidal river, or the sea, the body is carried forward by the motion of the water, and the exertion necessary to maintain it on the surface is therefore less than in still water. This method of swimming is not of much practical use, but it shows what it is really possible to do in the water To attempt the feat the man must be of more than average ability as an exponent of scientific and trick swimming.