At first the pupil may naturally keep the limbs tense in going through these movements, and it is this, and holding the breath, that tires, and not the muscular movements. But you will soon loosen up after gaining a little confidence and you will find how easy it is to float on and move through the water. And now comes that all-important part of all swimming—breathing.
Breathing
Breathing plays the most important part in the art of swimming; in fact, no one ever becomes a good swimmer unless attention is paid to the matter of breathing, which must be done with regularity and precision. This is especially necessary when using the advanced or scientific strokes and much of the speed and endurance in swimming depend on a correct performance of this part of the work. In breast swimming, the head and face being more above the surface of the water than in the side strokes, breathing is usually performed through the nose alone, keeping the mouth closed in order not to take in any water. But it is not long before those who breathe in this fashion find out that the respiration is restricted, irregular and jerky, and the swimmer soon gets “out of wind” and tires, wondering why it is that he can only go such a short distance before he is “played out.” To nothing else, so much as breathing, is due the inability of those who can swim to keep up the speed and regularity of movement for an indefinite period.
Annette Kellerman, the wonderful Australian woman swimmer, makes the matter of breathing very clear when she says, “Take a quick gulp of air through the mouth and let it ooze out slowly through the nose.” What could be more simple in explanation? In swimming you breathe entirely different from any other form of exercise, and you will never swim well, easily or far, until you breathe as described above and in unison with each stroke. It is much better to take the quick breath through the mouth and then submerge the head and exhale through the nose under water, for once you have mastered this you have learned the real secret of success in swimming.
Make the stroke easy, and in proper timing, or co-ordination, breathe regularly and with precision on each stroke, and, above all, do not keep the limbs stiff or rigid, but relax, as swimming is not a matter of strength or force, but skill.
Be patient and persistent and you will soon acquire an art you can enjoy, with much physical benefit and great pleasure, until extreme old age.
OVER-ARM SIDE STROKE, POSITION IN WATER.
DOUBLE-OVER-ARM (TRUDGE).
After the Roll, Exhaling Under Water.