nce more rise to the surface, and the body floats face upward.

Repetition of these movements produce a swinging similar to that of a
pendulum. The movements must be accomplished with regularity, at all
times keeping the legs straight and together.

SOMERSAULTS

This is one of the easiest and simplest tricks. With very little
practise it can be mastered by most ordinary swimmers. Of course, this
statement refers to the ordinary somersault, either backward or forward,
which is nothing more than a turning over of the body while in the
water.

[Illustration: FORWARD SOMERSAULT]

In the back somersault the head is tilted back as far as possible, the
legs well drawn up, and the arms thrown out horizontally from the
shoulders. Then the body is turned on the back and a stroke taken with
the arms and hands. As the body is doubled up, this action causes it to
turn completely over, the head going under first.

In the forward somersault, the head is prest down upon the chest, the
legs doubled up, the same as in the back somersault, the arms at right
angles with the body, and the palms downward. The stroke is made similar
to that in the back somersault, but the movement is started in front.

If there are a number of these motions to be made, the lungs should be
well filled before beginning, as there is no time for proper breathing.

DOUBLE SOMERSAULTS

As this trick requires two swimmers, it makes necessary a great deal
more practise. To begin, the swimmers stand on the bottom of the pool,
one in front of the other. The forward swimmer throws out his arms at a
right angle with the body, even with the shoulders, and spreads his legs
until his feet are about twelve inches apart. Then the second swimmer,
after taking a deep breath, dives under water and places his head
between the legs of the other, bending his legs backward until they come
close to the head of the forward swimmer, who in turn tilts his head
backward so that it may be grasped by the legs of the other.

When in this position, the swimmers begin to turn backward, using the
arms the same is in the backward (single) somersault. The head of each
swimmer should be tilted well backward. As the head of the forward
swimmer disappears below the surface, the head of the other should
appear. After several turns the grip of the legs may be released and the
swimmers rise to the surface in their original positions.

[Illustration: DOUBLE SOMERSAULT]

WITH ONE LEG