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doyle's new
instruction book on ocean bathing, 1910
Doyle's New
Instruction Book on Ocean Bathing, 1910.
Doyle, William S.: Doyle's New Instruction Book on Ocean
Bathing.
W. S. Doyle, Asbury
Park, N.J., 1910. Hathi Trust https://hdl.handle.net/2027/loc.ark:/13960/t86h5dg1n
Introduction Very basic
instructions for surf-bathing by author, and sometime poet, William S.:Doyle. Page 1
CONTENTS.
Doyle's Record in Rhyme ... 5 Preface ...7 General
Remarks ... 9 Remarks
... 11 To Learn
to Bathe ... 12 To Learn
to Float ... 16 Remarks
on Swimming ... 18 How to
Tread Water .. 19 To Learn
to Swim ... 21 Dont's
for Swimmers ... 24 Life
Saving ... 30 How to
Make a Rescue ... 31 Boating
... 33 Dont's
for Boating ... 36 The
Rescue ... 37 Ocean
Waves ... 45 Summer
Time ... 45 A PIain
Book ... 47
Page 5
Doyle's Record in Rhyme
Twenty-four years at the shore
is a pretty good score, And there
on the beach the swimming art to teach. When the
people were in great danger and fear, Doyle was
always found near to give them good cheer. When
Doyle was around there was none ever drowned, And when
Doyle was near there was no need of fear. It made
no difference if the water were rough, cold or hot, Doyle
always managed to be Johnny on the spot. When a
person was carried out by a wave, Doyle was
always ready for a life to save, And when
he landed his man on the shore The
people they cheered him by the score.
Page 6
And Doyle always managed a
rescue so fine, He was
never known to have a life line. This may
have a strange sound, yet where Doyle was around There
never were found to be any one drowned. This
statement of facts may not seem so fine, But there
is proof that they are all genuine. To be
honored with a hero medal by Uncle Sam, It must
be proved that you are a brave man. And these
few rhymes may sound like fun, But
Doyle's life-saving record is second to none. To learn
to bathe or swim and be right in it, Buy
Doyle's' new book, it's right up to the minute.
Page 11
[PREFACE]
There are no out-of-door games or exercise that can
compare with ocean bathing and swimming for health and
pleasure.
It builds up the body uniformly by bringing every
muscle into action.
Daily baths keep the body supple.
The salt water is a tonic and keeps the body in a
healthy and vigorous condition.
It also aids digestion and creates a good appetite.
You can always eat and sleep well after an ocean bath
or swim.
It is good for the old and young alike.
I can't describe in words the grand feeling and
pleasure there is in ocean bathing and swimming, and
for any person who can
afford the time to bathe and swim and don't take it,
lose the best and healthiest sport in the world.
Page 12
To Learn to
Bathe
First secure a bathing time table.
When convenient always bathe at low tide or an hour or
so before or after and when the ocean is in a normal
condition.
Then there will be no need of holding the ropes or any
other assistance.
You can go any depth you like without fear as there is
no danger.
There is always somebody nearby to help you out if in
need.
Throw away all fear and be as bold as you can.
Watch and try to do all you see the other bathers do
and if you have some friends who are good bathers take
every chance you can to be with them.
When the ocean is calm and
the waves are unbroken and there is no strong current,
Page 13
spread out your arms like wings, wade out in the water
until it reaches up under the arms; always keep them out
resting on the
water so as to help balance and guide the body.
When a wave reaches you at the same time give yourself a
little spring, and if necessary work your feet up and down
with a high stepping motion to keep the body up while the
wave passes.
If a high wave comes and you can't get over it, duck or
dive through it.
When a running broken wave comes no higher than your
shoulders, stand firm and cut it sideways; have your feet
spread and braced.
Keep this up for a number of times until you learn the
action of the water and waves.
Then you can bathe at any time or condition of tide.
Always take the wave sideways.
Never let them strike you on the back or breast.
Page 34
turn hold one oar hard in the water and pull
If you run aground at the bow all hands go to the stern
with the oars and push off or twist the boat around and
work it off.
Never stand at the bow and try to get the boat clear.
Work only from the stern.
If hard aground some may have to get out before you can
get the boat off.
In rough water, swells or waves, cross the bow first.
Never let the waves catch the boat sideways.
Page 35
If the water becomes rough through a storm or the passing
of a power boat, keep cool and lie down on the bottom of
the boat
and wait until the danger is past.
Page 45
The ocean waves are so wild
they run in with a roar. Full of
fury and froth, where they land on the shore, To swim
out in the ocean when the tide is on the ebb, Is like a
fly's simple notion, flying around a spider's web. ---------------------------------------
In the good summer time, When the
water is fine, You can
bask on the shore And watch
the waves rolling o'er. It's
great sport and fine To swim
in the brine. You can
have fun galore When
you're down at the shore.
- W. S. Doyle.