SWIM: Remember your rest strokes

On two different occasions I’ve had the privilege of helping young men who called for help after finding themselves in trouble trying to swim across the river at Corbin Park.

I can’t imagine how many times this has happened in my absence. The river and currents are a force of nature and no respector of persons. Ego and attitude are not of much help.

I encourage people to take and give swimming lessons. Most know and do the breaststroke, though the current multiplies the difficulty of the task. Few seem to know or think of the more relaxed strokes (backstroke, sidestroke, frog stroke, or to simply tread water), to stay calm and rest. Currents will often carry you close to shore, though time and distance downstream vary.

In the fast water of a river you can often see the current patterns to plan crossings — better yet, don’t try it without training just to be cool. Cool drownings don’t happen.

P.S. It may be a good Eagle Scout project to post warning signs to remember Rest strokes.

DAN WEBB

Hayden