FIRST LADY LEARNING 'THE AUSTRALIAN CRAWL'
Swampscott, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On August 5, 1925, The Washington Times reports that First Lady Mrs. Calvin Coolidge "is learning the 'Australian crawl*.'"
Mrs. Coolidge is being instructed by Miss Mary Herman of West Medford "who is summering on the North Shore."
The Australian crawl is described as "the fastest stroke known to swimming."
The First Lady swims "at least daily" in the open pool on the estate next door to White Court here in Swampscott where the Coolidges are spending the summer months.
JFK+50 NOTE
JFK was on the swim team at Harvard for two years where he competed in the back stroke. Although he was described as "not an outstanding swimmer" he was good enough in WWII to swim 3 miles towing a badly injured sailor to safety.
Other presidents who were good swimmers included John Quincy Adams,FDR, Ronald Reagan & Gerald Ford.
*The Australian Crawl is a swimming stroke that is a type of front crawl that is very common & known as the fastest swimming style. It is almost always the stroke used in free style competitions.
SOURCE
"Mrs. Coolidge Learns 'Australian Crawl' In Swimming," The Washington Times, August 5, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
