Name

The game is called Floating Duck Wave Race. It’s a high-energy, competitive drill designed to turn a basic sensory lesson into a high-stakes “derby” at the pool. By using recognizable, collectible rubber ducks, you instantly lower the “fear factor” for younger swimmers and replace it with a focus on their “racer.”

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Core Skill

The primary goal here is sculling and propulsion awareness. This game teaches level 1 and 2 swimmers how to feel the resistance of the water against their palms. By pushing a wave toward the duck, they are learning how to move water to create force—the exact same principle they will later use to pull themselves forward during the front crawl or push water back during a kick.

Who

This game is tailor-made for Level 1 and Level 2 swimmers. These are typically children who are becoming comfortable in the water but still need to develop the fine motor skills required for efficient strokes. It’s ideal for small groups where each child can have a unique duck to avoid “identity crises” during the heat of the race.

What

You will need a set of unique rubber ducks (the small, themed ones used for “ducking” Jeeps work perfectly) and a large plastic bucket. The ducks serve as the “vessels,” and the bucket serves as the finish line. The water should be roughly chest-deep for the swimmers, ensuring they have a stable base to stand on while focusing entirely on their hand movements.

How

1. The Lineup: Have swimmers stand in a horizontal row, each holding their designated duck on the surface in front of them.
2. The Target: Stand a short distance away (3–5 feet) holding the bucket at the surface.
3. The Wave: On “Go,” swimmers must keep their palms flat and “push” the water toward their duck. They cannot touch the duck; they must move it using only the “wave” they create.
4. The Finish: To make it fair for those on the ends, the instructor can slowly oscillate the bucket from side to side. The first duck to be pushed into the bucket wins!

Difficulties the Instructors Might Face

While the game is simple, instructors should look out for a few common hurdles:

• The “Cheating” Touch: Younger kids will instinctively want to poke or flick the duck. You’ll need to reinforce the “no touching” rule to ensure they are actually using the water to move the toy.
• Splashing vs. Pushing: Some swimmers might splash upward rather than pushing forward. You may need to demonstrate how a vertical, flat palm moves the duck better than a “slap” on the surface.
• Drifting Racers: In an outdoor pool or a pool with a strong filtration return, the ducks might drift naturally. Be prepared to adjust your position with the bucket to compensate for the current so no student feels the “wind” is against them.

Pro-Tips: The Science of the “Wave”

To help your swimmers (and their parents) understand why they’re chasing rubber ducks, you can explain the physics of hydrodynamic resistance.

• The Flat Palm Factor: A flat palm creates more surface area, allowing the swimmer to “catch” more water. If their fingers are open, the water slips through like a sieve, and the duck stays still.
• The Pressure Wave: By pushing the hand forward, the swimmer creates a high-pressure zone in front of their palm. This pressure moves through the water as a wave, which then pushes the light, buoyant duck forward.

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How this Translates to Strokes

• The Pull: This is the exact same feeling they need when they start the “catch” phase of the front crawl. Instead of pushing a duck, they will eventually be “pushing” the water behind them to move their body forward.
• The Kick: Just like the hand creates a wave, a strong, rhythmic kick creates a vortex of water that drives the swimmer forward.