why not print off some of the moves and take them with you on your next visit to the pool.
Also use our Checklist to help you choose the best teachers and schemes…
 

 

and its great when you’re young! You should enjoy it.
Don’t let anyone try to force you – but practice all your skills when you are ready….you’ll learn them better and enjoy it !
Find out about swimming lessons at your local pool.
Use our Checklist to make sure it is a good scheme
 
 
 


If you are a beginner Try these tips for getting used to having water on your face then putting your face in the water

 
 
SAFETY FIRST…. Don’t let anyone persuade you to take risks in the water – ever!
Don’t go out of your depth unless you KNOW you can swim back…
It’s NOT SAFE TO DIVE – except in very deep water
And with someone qualified to coach you

Swimming in the sea or outdoors can be very very different from swimming in safe warm pool………
 
 
 
It might look funny but it’s OK to press your lips tightly together (“pursed”), puff out your cheeks and when you get the water on your face - blow hard, and ‘spit’ the water away from your mouth and your lips. BLOW RASPBERRIES LOUDLY…”Play the trumpet….”
 
 
 
Or..Make a noise with your lips like a motor boat…..
Practice at home in the wash basin, in the bath and in the shower.
Do the noisy ‘splutter’ when you are washing your face and notice the best kept secret in the world of Learn- to- swim – if air is coming out (bubbles and ‘spits’) THEN WATER WONT GO IN !!!
 
 
 
FLOATING AND BALANCING SKILLS:
Mushroom FLOATS and star-floats
JUST WITH ONE BIG BREATH
Secret: GO GENTLY, no jumping up…..LAY YOURSELF LAZILY on the water…
Face in and slowly lift both knees up to your chest – don’t worry if you wobble and tip a little at first…..Hold your knees with your arms…..LIKE A MUSHROOM SHAPE...
 
 
 

In the bath or with a basin full of water, or with the shower going on your back…
TAKE A BREATH
DO THE PUFFED CHEEK THING
START BLOWING OUT WITH TIGHT LIPS
DIP INTO THE WATER STILL BLOWING
COME OUT QUICKLY - STILL BLOWING –
 
     
 

Use floats armbands or a woggle to help you. Learn how to get your feet back down from all sorts of positions. Learn how to float on your back and your front…..
HERE’S HOW… learn this first:
“Head up - Knees up – Stand up
RIGHT ON the floor !….”
If your are floating on your back…..
Get ready to go straight from one to three…

  1. Head up - like heading a ball into the net
  2. Knees up – swing bend and keep them close together
  3. Stand up – pull and sweep your hands up and around to help you…….


If your are floating on your front …..
Get ready to go straight from one to three…

  1. Head up - like heading a ball with the back of your head
  2. Knees up – swing bend forwards and keep them close together
  3. Stand up – pull and sweep your hands up and around to help you…
 
 
Or..Make a noise with your lips like a motor boat…..
Practice at home in the wash basin, in the bath and in the shower.
Do the noisy ‘splutter’ when you are washing your face and notice the best kept secret in the world of Learn- to- swim – if air is coming out (bubbles and ‘spits’)
THEN WATER WONT GO IN !!!
 
 
Early on - In the swimming pool – stand where you feel safe, practice putting your face in and ‘do the noisy splutters’ blowing out hard - bubbles etc..… then getting your whole head under. Stay near the side, steps or rail and hold on if you like. When you come up . ‘DO the noisy splutters’ ! !
 
 

  1. Face in water – ( body Flat )
  2. Arms in front
  3. Straight Sharp … shape
  4. Tight squeeze…

“Flat as a float”
“Long and thin as a lolly stick”
“Sharp as a pencil”
TOP TIP: Take a big breath again before you try…….
 
 

NOW TRY THIS: Slowly tuck up into a Mushroom Float –count to 3 – open up to a starfish or ‘skydiver’ float – count to three - then do the F.A.S.T. shape and kick your legs fast.
 
 
 
FAST FEET

START KICKING…
Push off from the side of the wall in the F.A.S.T. position THEN KICK - keep fast floppy feet, “long legs” pointed toes kicking up and down past each other, only a little splash
 
 
 
SPEEDING THROUGH WATER…
PUSH OFFS FROM THE WALL. or side of the pool
IN THE F.A.S.T. position – how far can you go on one breath??
 
 


In water, think of sharp, smooth, slippery, streamlined shapes which can SWISH and slip swiftly and silently through the water fast…..WITHOUT MUCH SPLASH
(how many ‘S’ sounds can you count ?)
 
 
START KICKING…
Push off from the side of the wall in the F.A.S.T. position THEN KICK - keep fast floppy feet, “long legs” pointed toes kicking up and down past each other, only a little splash
 
 
 

Try DOLPHIN kicking
Probably best from a push off from the wall…
or a porpoise jump from the bottom
legs stay together – like in a tight sleeping bag or pillow case….kick DOWN and UP and DOWN and UP - continuously – your bottom and hips do the same and your head starts nodding
Have your hands out in front or by your sides
 
 
‘ROLLOVERS ‘
Practice F.A.S.T. push and glide... THEN JUST BEFORE you run out of breath ROLL OVER GENTLY AND SMOOTHLY onto your back and kick backcrawl legs .. Looking up at the ‘sky’.
 
     
 

SWIM “ROLLOVERS”
From a F.A.S.T. push off - swim 3 strokes front crawl and then rollover onto your back – swim 3 strokes backcrawl -roll over ONTO YOUR FRONT again …how many times can you do it?
§ Tip for Front Crawl: Lift and slip each arm out of the water with a bent elbow - close to your body
§ Slide and slice it back in……….