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How to enjoy your Swim

Summer is coming, long bright days and fun for everyone. We are all looking forward to our first dip in the briny, and our first sunbath. Don't stay in too long, otherwise you will lose all the benefit and all the fun of your swim—about ten minutes is quite sufficient, unless you happen to be one of those “favoured few” who are more at home in the salt sea waves than anywhere else.

I have often seen girls (and even men) lying for hours in the boiling sun in a brave endeavour to acquire that fascinating tan, symbol of outdoors and health. Many of them endure the agony of blisters—a scarlet burning skin which peels off and leaves them whiter and more “cityish” than ever, and spoils the fun of a holiday. If you want to be attractively sunburnt do it gradually, and rub a little oil (cold cream, or coconut oil if you can bear the smell) into your skin before exposing it to the rather too ardent kiss of the summer sun. (Men don't despise this vanity.) If you do this you will find that your skin becomes quite naturally a warm golden brown—not in patches.

It is a mistake to stay on the beach when the heat is almost unbearable. Few people really enjoy it, but lots pretend to. Before you go away for your holiday get one of those jolly bright sunshades—you can stick it in the sand and be under its cool shade even when it is scorching. They look so gay and festive, too, and give the sea-side such a joyous and “carefree” air. Don't forget to buy a sun-hat for each of the kiddies. You can send them off for a long day on the sands without worrying about sunstroke and freckles.

Some of us are lured by the spell of the moonlight and are tempted to try a midnight dip. The magic of the calm silver sea and the very word “moonlight” seems to cast its spell over the enterprising. We are surprised to find that the water is wonderfully warm, but after a very few minutes we are glad to rush out along the dark beach. There is something very weird and uncanny about the softly lapping waves—we long to see them laughing again in the sunshine. Now for a good “rub down,” a cup of steaming coffee, and a long sleep under the stars—feeling that after all life has its moments, though they may be few and far between. Hurrah for the holidays!

“As for me, I love the sea, the dear old sea, don't you?”