URE 24]

The English Racing Stroke is a great deal more difficult to learn than
any of the advanced strokes that we have reached so far, but once the
student is proficient, it is one of the prettiest strokes. My brother,
Prof. F.E. Dalton, swims this stroke faster than some swimmers do the
crawl, and in action he does it most gracefully (Fig. 24). _The Arm
Movements_ should first be learned. Lie on the right side (but if the
pupil prefers it can be done equally as well on the left). Hold the left
arm at the left side. Then raise it out of the water, bending the elbow;
the hand should enter palm out, and about six inches below the surface,
then extending it as far forward as possible. Next sweep the left arm
down to the side sharply. Extend the right arm straight ahead, drawing
it in toward the body with a semi-circular scoop.

The leg movements are very difficult and a great deal of practise is
necessary before the pupil will be ready to combine with the arms.

The legs are spread apart and snapped together as in the side stroke,
but instead of stopping with this scissors kick make an extra small
circle kick.

_Breathing._--Inhale by turning the head as the left arm is swept down
to the left side; exhale under water when the left arm is extended
forward. Pay great attention to breathing on each stroke, as this is a
great deal more essential than acquiring a little speed, if you wish to
swim any distance. Because of improper breathing people who can not swim
very well complain more about getting winded quickly, than they do of
anything else.

THE DOUBLE OVER-ARM STROKE

The Double Over-Arm Stroke, while difficult to master, will not prove so
for the student who has learned the English racing stroke. Learn the
double over-arm to acquire form. For racing the Crawl will answer.

_Arm Strokes._--Place the left arm at the left side, then lift it out of
the water, bending the elbow and stretching it as far forward as
possible; now draw the hand down through the water so it is swept to the
side. The right arm should be at the right side in position to come
forward perfectly rigid at third movement of left arm. There must be
enough roll of the body to allow the right arm to come out of the water
to insure proper breathing. Sweep the right arm down through the water
as the left arm is raised out of the water.

Hold the face under the water excepting when you inhale after the left
arm has passed the mouth; exhale when u