The Teaching Of Swimming In The 1800s

By William Henry

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Country Books
• Release date: Jan 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781528762915

William Henry

William Henry is an historian, archaeologist and author of several titles including Coffin Ship, Hidden Galway, Famine; Galway's Darkest Years, Forgotten Heroes and Galway and the Great War. He lives in Galway.

Book preview

THE TEACHING OF SWIMMING

IT is a lamentable fact that those possessing the necessary technical knowledge and practical proficiency have hitherto made so few attempts to place the teaching of swimming on a proper scientific basis. When everything is done by ‘rule of thumb,’ it is not surprising to find that paid instructors have their own notions or theories as to the best method of imparting a knowledge of the art of natation. From time to time various so-called systems of instruction have been formulated, but there is none that has obtained or deserved general acceptance, and it is difficult to find any two men who adopt similar means or teach the movements in precisely the same way. This want of uniformity is very largely due to the absurd notions which exist as to the qualifications which should be possessed by a swimming master. Very often his self-appointment as ‘professor,’ or his election by club committees and bath commissioners, is based upon the fact that he has been a successful competitor and is the possessor of a fine collection of trophies, or that he has been a soldier or sailor and has thereby learned habits of drill and discipline which may fit him to act as instructor. There is no need to demonstrate the erroneousness of these ideas, for it must be apparent to all that a champion swimmer or a smart drill sergeant is not necessarily a good teacher. Many of the best swimmers do not know why they swim so fast; with a good number of them their speed is more the result of accident than the following out of the art on any sound scientific lines. They do not take the trouble to investigate and understand the mechanical laws which govern all propulsion through the water, and when they dub themselves ‘Professors,’ do so on the assumption that because they have been able to compete successfully in championship races they are born teachers.

In order that the teaching of swimming may be systematic and thorough in every detail, it is necessary that the title of ‘Professor’ or ‘Instructor’ should have attached to it a meaning very different from that which it has at present; but if this is to be effected, it is absolutely essential that a proper code of fixed principles should be laid down, so that the fabric of the profession may be established and built up on a sound foundation. The code must be complete in its details, so that nothing may be forgotten, nothing be unforeseen, nothing un-provided for. This is a labour which should be undertaken by those professors who are recognised by the public as capable men, whose object should be to raise their calling to the high position in which it deserves to be placed. It is, of course, easy to give advice of this nature, but it is quite a different matter to attempt to carry it to a practical issue. There are now many competent