Underwater

[Music] seaweed sways in the current of the silver River as we look below the surface of the sparkling water at Silver Springs Florida [Music] the unusual clarity of the water makes this marine paradise a playground for underwater sports lovers a submarine land of enchantment that beckons the swimmer to come below and explore the mysteries of its depth [Music] one underwater sport that is becoming increasingly popular is goggle fishing wearing goggles that permits will mister see clearly at great distances these girls are students in the sport of shooting fish with a slingshot and spear [Music] under the instruction of a competent goggle Fisher they practice on a target before undertaking the more difficult task of spearing a moving fish [Music] experienced goggle fishes put into practice the lessons learned in submarine archery the last masks they use are the sort worn by Japanese pearl fishermen to prevent the breath from fogging the glass tobacco is smeared over the inside these masks do not permit the swimmer to breathe underwater they merely aid the vision [Music] a slave made of a hollow piece of bamboo with a strong rubber band propels a steel harpoon imported from the Pacific Islands to Australia the sport has become universally popular there and has spread to the shores where it is captivating hundreds of the more adventurous American swimmers so they're off to chase marine game sport whose origins are lost in the depths of time [Music] as they plunge the hunters are on the lookout for fish and they swim downward toward the bottom deeper they go always on the watch for a swimming target [Music] the Huntsman raises a school of fish he takes aim he shoots and it's a direct hit here's a tense moment he takes aim but he misses his fear goes beyond its mark so he dives into the crane reads to retrieve his weapon [Music] the big part of the game and other fishermen join in the search for the half moons that fall into the weeds [Music] no bait no yours are used in this port the secret of success in cargo fishing is in the skill of the swimmer [Music] it is the hunting instinct carried to its most thrilling climax this floor is making thousands of enthusiastic converts along the Seacoast of America until the springs water polo is a sport that fascinates player and spectator alike there are rules of course you can choke the enemy or twist his arm out of the side go beneath see what the referee can possibly watch the University of Florida team state champions in striped trunks are rioting against Silver Spring the idea is to flush them all and struggle to the opponent's goal these boys certainly are enthusiastic about their play [Music] realizing that it is the surest way to make you let go of that ball they can kludge it themselves two or three enthusiasts drag you under for the payoff here's the first four [Music] [Music] provided the referee doesn't see it anything goes in water polo [Music] an Englishman thought up the game back in 1870 and it was a nice language pastime that might have been caused water cocaine but Americans took hold of the game in 1896 and with a few refinements and a bit of imagination American water polo or water manslaughter resulted attacking a player four feet from the ball is a foul [Music] [Music] [Music] no element is too dangerous no game too rough to test the mettle of the sportsman Americans prefer their games packed with suspense and personal contact swimmer finds the climax of all thrills in submarine sport [Music]