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Story
November 15, 1909
University Missourian
Columbia, Boone County, Missouri
What is this article about?
Dr. James Naismith at the University of Kansas claims to teach ordinary people to swim in just 15 minutes using a method that builds confidence on land before entering the pool, emphasizing swimming's life-saving benefits.
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EASY TO LEARN TO SWIM.
Kansas Instructor Says He Can Teach
Pupils in Fifteen Minutes.
LAWRENCE, Kan., Nov. 15.-That
the ordinary man can learn to swim
in fifteen minutes is the statement
made by Dr. James Naismith, who
has been trying a system of instruc-
tion of his own in the K. U. gymna-
sium for the last two years. Doctor
Naismith decided after several years
in teaching swimming that the trouble
lies in the fact that the average man
loses his head to a certain extent
when he gets into the water. Work-
ing on this assumption, he actually
teaches the students to swim before
they go into the pool. Once they get
the motions that Doctor Naismith pre-
scribes, then they are ready for the
water and a swim the first trial.
"It is only in the last year that I
have been able to assure a man that
he can swim across the pool within
fifteen minutes from the time he goes
in the water.
But it can be done.
and is no uncommon occurrence in
our pool," said Doctor Naismith today.
"Considering the benefit that follows
the ability to swim, it seems that any-
one ought to be willing to spend fif-
teen minutes to acquire skill that
might save life some time."
Since the opening of Robinson Gym-
nasium two years ago, every fresh-
man and sophomore is required to
learn swimming in the big pool, and
it is the aim to make every student a
swimmer.
Kansas Instructor Says He Can Teach
Pupils in Fifteen Minutes.
LAWRENCE, Kan., Nov. 15.-That
the ordinary man can learn to swim
in fifteen minutes is the statement
made by Dr. James Naismith, who
has been trying a system of instruc-
tion of his own in the K. U. gymna-
sium for the last two years. Doctor
Naismith decided after several years
in teaching swimming that the trouble
lies in the fact that the average man
loses his head to a certain extent
when he gets into the water. Work-
ing on this assumption, he actually
teaches the students to swim before
they go into the pool. Once they get
the motions that Doctor Naismith pre-
scribes, then they are ready for the
water and a swim the first trial.
"It is only in the last year that I
have been able to assure a man that
he can swim across the pool within
fifteen minutes from the time he goes
in the water.
But it can be done.
and is no uncommon occurrence in
our pool," said Doctor Naismith today.
"Considering the benefit that follows
the ability to swim, it seems that any-
one ought to be willing to spend fif-
teen minutes to acquire skill that
might save life some time."
Since the opening of Robinson Gym-
nasium two years ago, every fresh-
man and sophomore is required to
learn swimming in the big pool, and
it is the aim to make every student a
swimmer.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
Survival
What keywords are associated?
Swimming Instruction
Quick Learning
James Naismith
University Pool
Life Saving Skill
What entities or persons were involved?
Dr. James Naismith
Where did it happen?
Lawrence, Kan., K. U. Gymnasium, Robinson Gymnasium
Story Details
Key Persons
Dr. James Naismith
Location
Lawrence, Kan., K. U. Gymnasium, Robinson Gymnasium
Event Date
Nov. 15
Story Details
Dr. James Naismith teaches students to swim in 15 minutes by practicing motions on land first to overcome fear, allowing them to swim across the pool on their initial try; required for freshmen and sophomores at KU.