The swimmers at the Detroit Golf Club pool were well protected against unpleasant immersion by the locker room attendants and the hot-shot guests. This was because a life guard or swimming instructor could be no longer considered an amateur. Speedy rescues were the order of the day on the extremely rare occasions when they were needed. It was commonplace to find the activities under the eyes of challengers for world records.
The life guard, whatever his or her official job, was at liberty to discuss the fine points of natation with anyone interested in the subject. Instruction, to be legal, was by osmosis.
With Mr. Robertson, the discussion of the art began with a strictly theoretical discussion of how to learn. He was a slight, white-haired, almost emaciated man with a pleasant, courtly manner. On the day that his adventure began, he sounded a little mournful.
"I can't swim a stroke. I go right to the bottom and stay there when I attend classes using the Red Cross method of instruction."
"Not surprising", I replied. "You are not built to float."
"I've been watching the way you teach small children with the canvas chest band, the rope, and the pole."
"Yes, they keep their faces out of the water, they move through the water as a result of their own arm and leg motions, there is usually no fear to get in the way. They frequently learn in a week."
"You often have four or five children who have learned that week swim the length of the pool at the Thursday evening poolside entertainment. It is especially impressive when you announce that they will be trying to make it for the full twenty five meters for the first time."
The old gentleman turned toward me, took a deep breath. "Will you teach me that way?"
Neither one of us mentioned the reaction we could expect from his fellow members of the club. I just said, "Sure. Come around early when the pool is quiet."
Early morning swimmers are a good bunch, and took the activity in their stride. Several kept track of his progress, which was fairly rapid, and commented on it encouragingly.
Within three weeks, he was able to qualify for the weekly exhibition of new Swimmers. To the delight of the two children who qualified that week, he was there in his bathing suit to join them while the poolside audience cheered them all on. I distinctly remember cheers for Mr. Robertson.