This title presents a story of race riots, shrinking swimsuits, and conspicuous leisure. From nineteenth-century public baths to today's private backyard havens, swimming pools have long been a provocative symbol of American life. In this social and cultural history of swimming pools in the United States, Jeff Wiltse relates how, over the years, pools have served as asylums for the urban poor, leisure resorts for the masses, and private clubs for middle-class suburbanites. As sites of race riots, shrinking swimsuits, and conspicuous leisure, swimming pools reflect many of the tensions and transformations that have given rise to modern America.

Literary Nonfiction. Memoir. WOBBLES spans the physical, psychological and spiritual growth of an athlete from childhood into her stature as a fierce, Olympic competitor. When Nadine Neumann decides that she wants to be an Olympic swimmer at age eight, she trades a normal life of school friends and parties for the rigors of elite sports training. With acute honesty, wisdom and humour, Nadine spins readers through the heartaches and loneliness of a different kind of adolescence. Enduring and overcoming Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a life-threatening accident and imposed breaks from her passion, Nadine pursues her dream as only an Olympian can--with the rarest of intensity and focus. Sweeping from Perth to Germany, India to Sydney, Brisbane to Hong Kong, the reader is invited along this journey of a remarkable young woman who stops at nothing to achieve her goals.

2009 Reprint of the original 1940 edition. Hardbound. 287pp."The story you are about to read is a recital of my work for thirty-five years as a diver, on many types of assign--ments and in many kinds of circumstances and conditions. You will learn what I did; why, how, and for whom I did it. You will lean about others, associated with me in this fascinating profession, and some of their experiences. In giving you this account, in this way, I sincerely hope that I shall have painted a picture which will not only prove entertaining and instructive in itself, but will serve to offset the all too many inaccuracies and false impressions created by some whose experience is insufficient, or whose imaginations exceed their knowledge of the subject."- Preface to 1940 edition.

Many of the short stories in Swimming Lessons have appeared in slightly different versions in literary journals; some, including the title story, have won awards in contests sponsored by these journals and other organizations. The two stories in the last section, KADDISH and THE BOX, are inspired by true happenings. The others are fiction.

SCUBA diving is thriving in the New York Area. The diving up here is much more challenging than warm water destinations due to our local conditions of cold temperatures, low visibility and currents. Written for both the diver and the non-diver, this book draws the reader into the exciting world of Northeast Technical SCUBA Diving. The book opens with an 'Introduction to SCUBA Diving' that explains the equipment, local conditions and dangers of diving to those new to the sport. Consisting of over 70 true stories of local dives this book has the reader descending with the author on numerous local shipwrecks such as the USS San Diego and ocean liner Oregon, both over 500 feet long and sunk in the Atlantic off of Long Island. The book also contains a number of dive site maps. The stories, chronicle the author's diving adventures and what it feels like to dive locally both exploring the wrecks and from popular shore diving sites . A site/equipment index allows the reader to also use the book to experience specific wrecks and sites. Let's say you have never dove the USS San Diego, a naval Armored Cruiser that sank in 1918 off of Fire Island. You can easily find all the stories about dives on her in order of increasing difficulty. Or you are considering getting an underwater scooter. You can locate all the stories where a scooter was an important part. Perhaps you want to understand how a reel helps keep a diver from getting lost inside a wreck or what its like to be entangled by a line of reel inside a wreck. Interested in finding out more of the dangers of technical decompression diving? It's all here in this book. This book takes you diving..

In The Fragile Edge, the documentary filmmaker and deep-sea diver Julia Whitty paints a mesmerizing, scientifically rich portrait of teeming coral reefs and sea life in the South Pacific. She takes us literally beneath the surface of the usual travel narrative, in an underwater equivalent of an African big-game safari. Hammerhead sharks rule a cascading chain of extraordinary creatures, from eagle rays to reef sharks, as the sound of courting humpback whales reverberates through the deep.
Inspiring for both armchair and expert divers, The Fragile Edge reveals how science can extend our understanding of unfathomable waters, opening our eyes to the threats facing coral reefs and explaining why these fragile oases are vital to human survival. In this passionate, spiritual narrative of her adventures in the big blue, Julia Whitty emerges as one of our finest writers on the mystery, beauty, and fragility of the undersea world.

Avid snorkelers, families, and novices will find this guide to Florida snorkeling invaluable. ""Snorkeling Florida"" identifies fifty unique snorkeling sites from Panhandle to Keys. The best public sites throughout the state are featured, including coral reefs, sea-grass beds, shipwrecks, springs, and rivers. Snorkelers will be informed on where to go, what to bring, and what to expect.Each site is described in detail and rated by difficulty (from beginner to advanced). Directions, boat ramp locations, physical characteristics of the site, likely animal life to be spotted, best times to explore, and the area's historical information are provided. Brad Bertelli also provides additional recommendations for local sightseeing at each location.Throughout the book, Bertelli addresses questions and concerns about the use of equipment, questionable creatures such as sharks, alligators, jellyfish, and stingrays, the rules and regulations regarding harvesting of lobster and scallops, Diver Down flags, spear-fishing, and manatee interaction. He also offers advice to the novice on how to choose the proper gear and appropriate precautions to take before getting in the water.From coral reefs to clear blue water, this book covers the best public sites throughout the state.

Considered the Mt. Everest of diving, the Andrea Doria is the ultimate deepwater wreck challenge. Over the years, a small but fanatical group of extreme scuba divers have investigated the Andrea Doria, pushing themselves to the very limits of human endurance to explore her -- and not all have returned. Diver Kevin McMurray takes you inside this elite club with a hard, honest look at those who go deeper, farther, and closer to the edge than others would ever dream.

Deep Descent is the riveting true story of the human spirit overcoming human frailty and of fearsome, mortal risks traded for a hard-core adrenaline rush. Chronicling these adventures in his page-turning narrative and in dozens of dramatic photos, McMurray draws us deeper into the cold heart of the unforgiving sea, giving us a powerful vision of a place to which few will ever have the skills -- or the courage -- to go.

As long-time water sport enthusiasts, author Lee E. Pate and his sister Deb decide to get certified as scuba divers. During the training, Lee asks the instructor about sharks and is told, "You're privileged to see a dangerous shark-it's very rare to see one. You do see small, docile sharks often, but the biggest ones you'll usually see are only about three or four feet, if you're lucky."

Discounting the possibility that they'll ever see a shark, Lee and Deb start diving on their own along with their brother David, who was already a certified diver. They were diving in the daytime at first, then started night diving, deep diving and finally night deep diving. Lee and David started diving deep, at night at Redondo Beach, a popular Los Angeles County Beach, often. One particular night that happened to be Friday the 13th, after having car trouble, they were late. They hurried up, drove to the beach, got in the water, went down and out along the bottom as fast as they could, ending up a few feet from a large, dangerous shark. With fear rising in his throat at a depth of ninety-one feet, Lee has only one thought-I'm dead

In his memoir "91 FEET: "You're Privileged to See a Dangerous Shark,"" Lee recounts his thrilling scuba diving experiences.

Aquatastic: Swimming Made Simple is for all individuals interested in the teaching of swimming. This book is easy to read, follow and understand for individuals of all abilities and backgrounds. This book will help everyone who is learning how to teach individuals to swim in a friendly and fun environment.
The goal of my book is to help people teach themselves and others to swim in a fun and positive environment. Learning to swim will be fun while increasing one's comfort level in the water. The goal here is to learn while you are having fun and you will not realize that you are swimming as it comes to you naturally. Safety will be stressed in all areas of the aquatic environment. The drowning rates in the United States are rising at an unbearable rate and something needs to be done. By teaching people Aquatastic, I will attempt to lower the drowning rates as people learn how to be safe in and around the aquatic environment.

At age forty-four, Penelope Niven was at a turning point in her life. In need of a change for both body and spirit, she decided to learn how to swim. While discovering the restorative effect of the water, she also began to notice that the lessons she was learning in the pool drew remarkable parallels with the lessons of life. The way in which you first get into the water, for example, is similar to trying anything new-you can jump in feet first, or dive in headfirst, but first you have to have some idea of what you're actually getting into. From floating to treading water, forward strokes to the backstroke, Swimming Lessons combines the familiar lessons of swimming with personal anecdotes and apt observations to stirring effect. Sensible, touching, and personal, this appealing book will be invaluable to any reader facing a life change or simply looking for a little bit of inspiration.
A Harvest Original

True Tales of Trouble in the Deep and What You Can Learn from Them.

"One diver, after a seemingly brief period below the surface, discovers that his gas supply has run perilously low. Another, paralyzed, bobs helplessly on the surface, and when a poorly trained divemaster attempts rescue, things go from bad to worse. Two other divers, fascinated by the bountiful undersea life of the Caribbean, fail to notice that a powerful current is sweeping them rapidly away from their unattended boat.,"

These are just a few of the true stories youll find in "Diver Down," most of them involving diver error and resulting in serious injury or death. This unique survival guide explores the gamut of diving situations, including cave and wreck diving, deep-water dives, river and drift diving, decompression sickness, and much more. It shows you how to prevent tragic mishaps through: . . Inspection and maintenance of primary and secondary diving gear. Learning and following established safety protocols. Confirming the training and credentials of diving professionals. Practicing emergency responses under real-world conditions. .

Captain Michael R. Ange is the Managing Director of the Americas Division for the Professional Scuba Association International and contributing writer and technical editor for "Scuba Diving" magazine. During his diving career, Ange has trained more than 3,000 divers and several hundred instructors from around the world..

This is a translation of a scuba diving manual originally published by the publishing house of the U.S.S.R. Ministry of Defense. The manual contains information, practical recommendations and informative data on underwater exploration and repair of various types of scuba diving equipment; the technique of water safety and the execution of underwater work; medical precautions and specific illnesses of scuba divers; the method of instruction, including the technique of underwater swimming and the execution of light diving work, underwater hunting, photo- and cinematography. The manual was designated for divers of the Soviet Army and Navy and the transportation and commercial fleets. It is also of interest to a wide circle of readers interested in problems of the underwater sport.

Part aspirational, part instructional, this book is for competent divers who wish to extend their horizons or push themselves to the limit. Diving with Sharks and Other Adventure Dives covers diving with Great White, Hammerhead and other sharks, diving with gentle giants such as mantas and whale sharks, cave and wreck diving, and diving in strong currents and under ice. Each chapter is a combination of specialized technical and environmentally aware diving advice, site information and stirring anecdote. The dives featured range from established, accessible schemes such as the dolphin dives in the Bahamas to exceptional expeditions such as an unrepeated cave-passage exploration. Celebrating the diversity of diving as much as encouraging the pursuit of new challenges, this beautifully illustrated guide is a must for every qualified diver's bookshelf.

"Claire Walter eloquently provides answers to hundreds of questions about what it takes to venture into the waters of the world. Half of all birds who fly are female, as are half of the fish, dolphins, and whales who swim. Why not half of the humans who dive? Both men and women will find Walter's book entertaining, instructive, provocative, and a sure source of inspiration to plunge into the lake, river, or ocean of their dreams."--Dr. Sylvia Earle, Explorer-in-Residence, National Geographic Society

"Claire Walter's "Scuba Diving: A Woman's Guide makes this wonderful sport accessible to anyone who has looked at the mounds of dive equipment and said, 'No way I can do that.' While preparing women to enjoy the basic scuba experience, this book will also stimulate its readers to explore the far-flung reaches of this planet's last great wilderness."--Maurine Shimlock, Secret Sea Visions

Discover a New World

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to glide effortlessly underwater, side by side with amazing sea creatures, then turn your dreams into reality and join the tens of thousands of women of all ages who have discovered the joys of scuba diving. Claire Walter demystifies scuba diving, while filling you in on everything you need to know to get started in this most magical of recreational activities. She provides insights and answers to common concerns women have regarding scuba diving, and walks you through the entire process, from learning the basics to becoming certified. You'll find out how to

Check the fit and condition of rental gear to ensure a successful first dive; Buy the right kind of gear and estimate how much you can expect to spend; Find a great instructorand learn to dive safely; Choose dream vacation diving locations, and find other women to dive with; Learn the safe and environmentally friendly ways to view corals, dolphins, and other sea life; Become certified to dive anywhere in the world; Extend your training and learn to teach others or make a career from your skills

Plus, you'll find personal accounts by women who share their fascinating underwater adventures, and tell you how they began to scuba, overcame their fears, met challenges, improved their skills, and made diving an irreplaceable part of their lives.

This handbook on scuba-diving covers everything from what equipment to buy and which training courses to attend to basic health and safety measures. Specialty diving options such as underwater photography, wreck diving and ice diving are also covered. In addition, the marine environment is examined in detail in order to help divers gain a better understanding of the sea and the creatures which inhabit it.