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Swimming and Surfing by Harry Hay
Swimming and Surfing by Harry Hay

Swimming and Surfing by Harry Hay

Author
Date1931
Object number00016694
NameBooklet
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 152 x 114 mm, 0.01 kg
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis booklet was written in 1931 by the well known 1920s Olympian and renowned swimming coach Harry Hay. Offering simple instructions and illustrations on how to swim and surf, the booklet includes a short biography of the author `considered Australia's foremost swimming coach and natation authority'. Hay, who's photograph appears on the front cover, outlines surfboard riding, 'surf shooting' (body surfing), and different swim strokes, such as the American crawl. Printed in black and red ink, the booklet was published in Australia by the swimwear manufacturer Jantzen and includes an advertisement for the company on the back cover.HistoryHarry Hay competed for Australia in freestyle during the 1920s, winning a silver medal in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. He was later a successful swimming coach, guiding Olympic gold medal list Andrew 'Boy' Charlton to a world record in 1927. SignificanceThe booklet is an important record of Jantzen's support for learning to swim in Australia in the 1930s, and is a good example of the diverse marketing strategies used to boost sales of their swimwear.