forward until immersed, the legs will be forced to the
bottom. One thing beginners should always remember is to keep the lungs
well inflated and the head well back in the water; in fact, everything
should be kept under water with the exception of the mouth and the nose.

Another important thing to remember in floating is to keep the body
limp, and breathe naturally and regularly.

DIVING

After a person has mastered the first rudiments of swimming, such as the
back, breast, and floating strokes, he is naturally anxious to learn to
dive. There is nothing more fascinating to a swimmer than a sharp, clean
plunge into cool water.

The whole secret of diving is the possession of plenty of pluck and
self-confidence. One need not be an expert swimmer to be a good diver.
In fact, some persons can dive very well and at the same time are
mediocre swimmers. As in other branches, practise makes perfect.

While in ordinary swimming diving is indulged in merely for the pleasure
derived therefrom, in racing diving is a very important factor.
Frequently races are won mainly from the ability of the contender to
dive properly; in other words, to get away with a skimming plunge, thus
securing a good start and getting into a stride that carries him to
victory.

This form of swimming is also of the utmost importance in the matter of
life-saving. As a luxury in sea-water bathing nothing equals a plunge
from a good height.

I advise beginners to practise from a float or springboard, the latter
being preferable, as the spring naturally throws the legs up into the
air, thereby preventing the diver from landing flat on his stomach, as
most beginners usually do. The essential points to be considered in
diving are to keep the head well tucked in between the extended arms,
the thumbs locked, the arms forming an arch above the head. In standing,
preparatory to the dive, the knees should be slightly bent, so that the
spring comes from the bended knees and toes.

[Illustration: TEACHING DIVING TO A BEGINNER]

In teaching diving to a nervous pupil, at first I generally hold up the
left leg as he is bending over to dive. The farther over he bends, the
higher I raise the leg, as per illustration. Then it is impossible for
the swimmer to fall flat on the water; the upraised leg prevents that.
This is the way that I advise all would-be divers to make their first
attempt. After a while the diver will throw up both legs in the air
behind him. To