Chinese Traditional Swimming（1）

传统的中国游泳（1）

Special Function of Underwater Swimming

潜泳

Underwater swimming means to dive under water and swim.Underwater swimming as a branch of swimming comes into being together with swimming There was no special trainning about it in ancient China，and it appeared spontaneously while the swimmers swam，

潜泳作为游泳运动的一个分支与游泳同时产生。在中国古代并无专门的潜泳训练，基本上是游泳者在游泳时自然培养而成的一种技能。

which was a highly practical skill in fishing for things from water or in the military affairs.

其实用性较强，可用于捞取水中的物品，或者用于军事行动。

Rich or abundant products exist in water.Those who were good at swimming scooped them and exchanged for money and materials.

水中拥有丰富的物产。擅长游泳的人就能把这些东西捞上岸来换取财物。
Historical records show that there was a pearl lake in Hepu of Guangxi，and the pearls were in the depth of it.

据史书记载，在广西合浦有珠池，在海下很深的地方有珍珠。

The pearls in Hepu were very dear, and quite a number of good swimmers dived under the water to look for them at the risk of their lives.

因为合浦的珍珠很贵重，有不少擅长潜泳的人不顾生命危险潜入深海捞取珍珠。

There are countless examples about the application of underwater swimming in military affairs in the history of ancient China.

在中国历史上把潜泳用于军事中的例子更是不胜枚举。

It is recorded in“History as a Mirror” that in the period of Five Dynasties，the officer of the Later Zhou dynasty Zhang Yongde commonded his troops to fight with the water-borne forces of the Southern Tang dynasty.

《资治通鉴》中有这样的记载，五代时，后周将领张永德率兵与南塘水军交战。

One night, Zhang Yongde sent the soldiers who were good at swimming to dive secretly to the boats of the navel force of the Southern Tang dynasty and tied them all together with an iron chain.

一天晚上，张永德派擅长游泳的士卒偷偷潜泳到南塘水军的船下，用铁索把南塘水军的船只系在一起。

The following day，Zhang sent his men to attack the enemy. Since the boats were stuck in the water, the southern Tang was defeated completely.

第二天，张永德派兵攻打南塘水军，南塘水军因船只无法划动而大败。

Furthermore，it is recorded in“The History Of The Old Five Dynasties” that, during the Five Dynasties, there was a war between Tang State and Liang State.

另据《旧五代史》记载，五代时，粱唐两军交战，

Once the force of Liang State cut off the communication between the south and the north camps of the Tang State with warships，which made them cannot help each other.

梁军利用战船将唐军的南北两寨隔绝，使其无法相互支援。

Then，the army of Tang State sent the brothers of Ma Wan，who were good at swimming，to carry messages between the two” camps with their diving skills.

这时，唐军启用军中擅长游泳的马万兄弟，利用潜泳技术，在南北两寨间来回传信，

In the end，they burned the boats of Liang State and relieved the siege.

并最终火烧梁军战船，解除了围困。

Masters in Swim

游泳高手历代倍出

The excellent natural conditions in China have fostered groups of top swimmers with superb skills.

中国优越的自然环境培养出了大批游泳技术出神入化的游泳高手。

A man of Luliang is recorded in the book“Zhuangzi. Dashengyuan”，who could swim easily in the great waterfall，where no fish or turtles could exist.

在《庄子·达生》中记载了一位吕梁壮士，能在连鱼鳖都无法生存的巨大瀑布中自如游泳，

It says in the book,“Confucius visited Luliang and found the height of the water was 30 ren (a Chinese measurement in ancient time)，the currents were swift with a speed of 40 Ii in a split second，so no soft-shelled turtles，Chinese alligators，and fish and so on could swim in it.

记载说“孔子观于吕梁，县水三十仞，流沫四十里，鼋鼍鱼鳖之所不能游也。

Suddenly he found a man in water and thought he must have sufferings and wanted to commit suicide.Confucius asked his pupils to rescue him.

见一丈夫游之，以为有苦而欲死也，使弟子并流而拯之。

However, the man emerged after swimming hundreds of feet，wearing his hair down，and singing. In fact，he was swimming in the pond.”

数百步而出，披发行歌而游于塘下。”

It’s a pity that systematical swimming theory and competitive sports have not come into being in China,

遗憾的是，中国没有发展出系统的游泳竞技理论和游泳竞技活动。

The modern swimming competition was initiated in England and were introduced into China at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.

现代竞技游泳活动起源于英国，并于19世纪末20世纪初传人中国。

In recent years，the Chinese swimming athletes have won the gold medals frequently in the world competitions，which shows the strength of China as a swimming power.

近年来，中国游泳健儿在国际游泳大赛中屡屡夺冠，逐渐显示出中国作为一个游泳大国的实力。