They resort to this sport in great Numbers and keep at it for several Hours and as they often encounter each other in their passage out and in they require the greatest Skill in swimming to keep from running foul of each other — which they somtimes cannot avoid in which case both are Violently dashd on shore where they are thrown neck & heels and often find very Coarse landing, which however they take little Notice of and recovering themselves regain their boards & return to their sport.

The Chiefs are in general best at this as well as all other Diversions, nor are their Weomen behind hand at it. Eddea is one of the Best among the Society Islands & able to hold it with the Best of the Men Swimmers.

This Diversion took place during the time the Bounty lay in Maatavye Bay when the Surf from the Dolphin Bank ran so high as to break over her, and we were forced to secure the Hatches expecting the Ship to go on shore evry Minute.

After they have been at this sport they always wash in the Fresh Water, as they always do when they have been out in their Canoes or have been wet with salt water.

They have also a diversion in Canoes, which they steer on the top of the Surf with Great dexterity, and can either turn them out before it breakes or land safe tho it Break ever so high.

Their Natural aversion to filth, which they detest, and their Unparrelled Cleanliness of Body and Cloaths not only renders their persons agreeable to Strangers and themselves but keeps them free from many disorders which we have — Nor do they Give Way to Sickness till death stops their Career — Young and Old Constantly bathe in running water three times a day, some Oftener, and when they become too old to Walk far, fix their habitation near a stream to enjoy that Convenience. They always wash their hands and mouth before, and after Meals, and when they are not at some diversion either go to sleep, in the Heat of the day, or employ themselves trimming their Hair, Beards &ca. A black Cocoa Nut Shell serves for a looking Glass when filld with water, fish scales for Tweesers, with which they pick their beards into form and the hairs from the legs, arms, armpits and other parts of the Body which are apt to gather filth from Sweat & Dust; a sharks tooth answers evry purpose of Scisars for trimming their hair which they keep always in neat order. Both sexes have their ears bored in

Indigenous Histories