Tub Races

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By Dan Beard

One might suppose that this would come under the head of boating, but one would be mistaken, for it properly belongs to swimming, as any one who has witnessed or taken part in such a race will tell you.

Each contestant supplies himself with an ordinary wash tub. At the word "Go!" he places it in the water, climbs in as best he can, and paddles with his hands for the taw line,

In most of the races the writer has taken part in the winner was the most deliberate and slowest moving fellow of the lot. He took more time to get into his tub, took more lime to balance himself property, but at last, when more than half the other tubs were upside down and their late occupants floundering in the water, this methodical, cool-headed racer, with his lags hanging in the water, the tub listed slightly forward, began with deliberation to paddle with his hands; and usually, before he reached the taw line he had the satisfaction of knowing that he was the only racer who still occupied a tub.

Sometimes another would pursue the same tactics. Then the fun was at the finish, for here both would risk sinking in their efforts to come in ahead. There is possibly no water sport more enjoyable to all concerned and provoking more laughter and excitement than a well-conducted tub race.

OHB