Experiments have proved that children can be instructed in swimming at a very
early age. At a special swimming pool in Los Angeles, children become expert
at holding their breath under water even before they can walk. Babies of two
months old do not appear to be reluctant to enter the water, It is not long
before they are so accustomed to swimming that they can pick up weights from
the floor of the pool. A game that is very popular with these young swimmers
is the underwater tricycle race. Tricycles are lined up on the floor of the
pool seven feet under water. The children compete against each other to reach
the other end of the pool. Many pedal their tricycles, but most of them prefer
to push or drag them. Some children can cover the whole length of the pool
without coming up for breath even once. Whether they will ever become future
Olympic champions, only time will tell. Meanwhile, they should encourage those
among us who cannot swim five yards before they are gasping for air.&