Equal rights have been accorded the girls of the Durham high school in the use of the swimming pool that is now being used by the student body. Suffrage has been granted them after a delay due to trouble attending the disposition of wet bathing suits, and whether the parents of the girl should furnish the bath suits. All of these wrinkles have been ironed out and from now on the girls will be permitted to enjoy the pleasures of the pool, during periods that have been assigned to them. They will begin taking swimming Monday should the wringer arrive.
The use of the swimming pool is not obligatory upon the girls as part of their regular athletic program but they are given the right to use it if they so desire. All girls who take advantage of the pool will be required to purchase woolen suits and after a dip in the water each girl must wring her suit out. The suits are to be taken home by the girl when not in use rather than kept in the lockers. The reason for the rule is that by placing wet bath suits in the metal lockers damage will be done to the lockers through rust.
The boys are taking to the water in a pleasing manner and regular schedules have been arranged whereby every boy will have an opportunity to take a swim. All boys who do not know how to swim are given lessons. They have one period a week.
Aquatic contests of various kinds are being planned by Albert Harrington, physical director for the boys, and Miss Blakesley, head of the girls physical department. These contests will be staged during the school year. Plans are now in the formulative period. Swimming is health exercise, bringing into play every muscle in the body, aiding in the development of the body. No boy or girl is allowed to take a swim except when a member of the faculty of the high school, and a swimmer, is present.
A play whereby the teachers of the city public schools will have an afternoon in which to take a swim in the pool is now being worked out. The pool, located in the basement of the school building, is the latest word for swimming pools. It is 60 feet long by 20 feet wide, ranging in depth from four to eight feet. It is constructed of white tile and the very best material available was used in its construction. One of the best purifying systems obtainable has been installed and the water is continually run through it, assuring the purity of the water. The water is also kept heated, with the weather conditions having something to do with the temperature. The room is also kept heated as a safety precaution for the health of the boys and girls and older people who enjoy the water sports. The violet ray machine is the very latest and best style. The pool holds approximately 50,000 gallons of water and through the work of the purifying system, it is not necessary to change the water more than twice a year, it was stated. The system keeps all sediment and sand from the pool.
One each side of the room in which the swimming pool is located are the dressing rooms. The girls have the room on one side of the pool while the boys are on the opposite side. The boys and girls use the pool separately.
Before taking a plunge into the pool every person so doing is required to bathe under a shower. Any person having skin eruptions, open sores, boils, or colds is not allowed to enter the pool.
The pool cannot be used after school hours by anyone unless he or she can swim the entire length of the pool, or 60 feet.
It is expected that within a very short time aquatic sports will become the most attractive of any other part of the physical schedule carried out for the boys and girls. Although the girls are not required to make swimming part of their regular physical exercise, it is expected that a large number will avail themselves of the pleasures and benefits to be derived from the pool.
From page 7 of the Durham Morning Herald, Sunday, March 25, 1923
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