The Art of Swimming

The Art of Swimming by Captain Matthew Webb

The Art of Swimming. A Series of Practical Instructions on an Original and Progressive Plan written by J Frost in 1818 that includes Dr. Franklin's Treatise

The Art of Swimming is the title of two different books.

The Art of Swimming by Matthew Webb

The Art of Swimming is a 111-page book published in 1875 that was authored by Captain Matthew Webb, the first person to successfully swim across the English Channel from England to France without the use of artificial aids. The instructional book shared Webb's pioneering endurance and survival techniques including the methods that allowed him to become the first person to swim across the English Channel.

• On 25 August 1875 Webb swam from Dover to Calais in 21 hours 45 minutes, inspiring and educating the world about marathon swimming. His feat was not replicated for another 36 years.
• The book was edited by A. G. Payne who was a support crew member of Webb's historic crossing of the English Channel.

The Art of Swimming by J Frost

P.W. Gallaudet published the 72-page book The Art of Swimming. A Series of Practical Instructions on an Original and Progressive Plan in 1818, written by J Frost with the 12 engraved illustrations. It was the first American edition.

• J Frost was a swimming instructor from Nottingham, England. The first edition of this work was published in London in 1816 and titled Scientific Swimming. A Series of Practical Illustrations on an Original and Progressive Plan. This work was called "the second original English treatise (on swimming) with Everard Digby being the original with his "De Arte Natandi Libri Duo" from 1589.
• Frost wrote some original ideas relating to swimming including the importance of floating, of learning strokes on land, the wearing of a thin calico bathing suit, the use of a thin board with cork to float, and more. He also reprints the text of a 1760 letter from Benjamin Franklin to Oliver Neale with swimming instructions which proved influential in subsequent instructional works, called Dr. Franklin's Treatise.

External links

• The Art Of Swimming, Different Perspectives From Earlier Ages
• Books by Honorees in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame
• The Art of Swimming
• Open Water Swimming Books And Movies
• Curriculum Offerings Of The Open Water
• World Open Water Swimming Association
• International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame website
• Where Mountains Come To Swim
• Open Water Swimming