For this purpose, the body may be turned either upon the right or left
side: the feet must perform their usual motions: the arms also require
peculiar guidance. In lowering the left, and elevating the right side,
the swimmer must strike forward with the left hand, and sidewise with
the right; the back of the latter being front instead of upward, and
the thumb side of the hand downward to serve as an oar. In turning on
the right side, the swimmer must strike out with the right hand, and
use the left as an oar. In both cases, the lower arm stretches itself
out quickly, at the same time that the feet are striking; and the upper
arm strikes at the same time that the feet are impelling, the hand of
the latter arm beginning its stroke on a level with the head. While
this hand is again brought forward, and the feet are contracted, the
lower hand is drawn back towards the breast, rather to sustain than to
impel, (Plate XXV. fig. 2.) As side swimming presents to the water a
smaller surface than front swimming, it is preferable when rapidity is
necessary. But, though generally adopted when it is required to pass
over a short distance with rapidity, it is much more fatiguing than the
preceding methods.