[54] The outward direction given to the arm and hand enables them to force away the back water from the body and limbs, and so reduce the friction to forward motion.
In good side swimming the legs are made to diverge widely when they are extended or pushed away from the body, so as to include within them a fluid wedge, the apex of which is directed forwards. When fully extended, the legs are made to converge in such a manner that they force the body away from the wedge, and so contribute to its propulsion. By this means the legs in extension are made to give what may be regarded a double stroke, viz. an outward and inward one. When the double move has been made, the legs are flexed or drawn towards the body preparatory to a new stroke. In swimming on the left side, the left or cutwater arm is extended or pushed away from the body in such a manner that the concavity of the left hand is directed forwards, and describes the upper half of a vertical ellipse. It thus meets with comparatively little resistance from the water. When, however, the left arm is flexed and drawn towards the body, the concavity of the left hand is directed backwards and made to describe the under half of the ellipse, so as to scoop and seize the water, and thus contribute to the propulsion of the body. The left or cutwater arm materially assists in floating the anterior portions of the body. The stroke made by the left arm is equal to a quarter of a circle, that made by the right arm to half a circle. The right arm, when the operator swims upon the left side, is consequently the more powerful propeller. The right arm, like the left, assists in supporting the anterior portion of the body. In swimming on the left side the major propelling factors are the right arm and hand and the right and left legs and feet. Swimming by the side stroke is, on the whole, the most useful, graceful, and effective yet devised. It enables the swimmer to make headway against wind, wave, and tide in quite a remarkable manner. Indeed, a dexterous side-stroke swimmer can progress when a powerful breast-swimmer would be driven back. In still water an expert non-professional swimmer ought to make a mile in from thirty to thirty-five minutes. A professional swimmer may greatly exceed this. Thus, Mr. J. B. Johnson, when swimming against time, August 5th, 1872, in the fresh-water lake at Hendon, near London, did the full mile in twenty-six minutes. The first half-mile was done in twelve minutes. _Cæteris paribus_, the shorter the distance, the greater the speed. In August 1868, Mr. Harry Parker, a well-known professional swimmer, swam 500 yards in the Serpentine in seven minutes fifty seconds. Among non-professional swimmers the performance of Mr. J. B. Booth is very creditable. This gentleman, in June 1871, swam 440 yards in seven minutes fourteen seconds in the fresh-water lake at Hendon, already referred to. I am indebted for the details regarding time to Mr. J. A. Cowan of Edinburgh, himself acknowledged to be one of the fastest swimmers in Scotland. The speed attained by man in the water is not great when his size and power are taken into account. It certainly contrasts very unfavourably with that of seals, and still more unfavourably with that of fishes. This is due to his small hands and feet, the slow movements of his arms and legs, and the awkward manner in which they are applied to and withdrawn from the water.