Swimming Game – Treasure Dive; variation on diving for toys

Name Treasure Dive Core Skill This game focuses on building confidence and improving underwater swimming skills. Who Suitable for Level 1 and Level 2 swimmers who are comfortable submerging their heads underwater. What Participants will need a few small waterproof toys or objects to serve as “treasures.” These can be placed at the bottom of …

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October 2024: Teaching Swimming v4 Preview

Every year is has a new focus of improvement for people running swimming lessons and swim instruction. This year I’m focusing on updating the Teaching Swimming workbook. Fall 2024 – Spring 2025 will see the rollout of version 4 of the Teaching Swimming Workbook: Fun and Effective Instruction. Teaching Swimming v3 was published in 2019: …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Hurdles and Limbos

Name Hurdles and Limbos Core Skill The primary skill developed in this game is underwater comfort and breath control. Swimmers will practice going underwater and holding their breath, which is essential for building confidence in the water. Additionally, this game helps improve coordination and body control as swimmers navigate over and under obstacles. Who This …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Singing in the Rain

#swimgame #challenge #level1 #guppies #goingunderwater Name Sing in the Rain Core Skill The core skill focused on in this challenge is water comfort. Swimmers will practice being comfortable with water on their face and head, which is essential for developing confidence in the water. Who This challenge is designed for Guppies and Level 1 swimmers. …

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Swimming Game: Secret Messages

Name Secret Messages Core Skill The core skill of this game is going underwater and observation. It encourages participants to go underwater and open their eyes as players try to decipher the secret messages. Who This game is inclusive and can be played by anyone who can go underwater, including non-swimmers or weak swimmers. They …

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Swimming Game – Fill the Bucket, Empty the Bucket

Name Fill the bucket, empty the bucket Core Skill This challenge aims to improve the swimmers’ streamline, arm strokes, back float, and coordination skills. Who This challenge is suitable for swimmers of Levels 1 to 4. It can be done in two separate lanes or in one lane with an even number of swimmers. What …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Otter Eating

Name Otter Eating Core Skill Back Float Who This challenge is suitable for 3 – 5 year-old swimmers who are in level 1 or 2. What The goal of this challenge is to have the swimmer float on their back while holding 2-3 floating toys on their belly without letting them float or splash away. …

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General Lesson Plans: When it’s time to let your instructors experiment.

The Swimming Ideas All Access Memberships provide many tools for your swimming lesson program. One of those tools is the general lesson plan. This guide is a good reference if you are using Swimming Ideas’ levels and lesson plans and will serve as a reference guide if you’re creating your own levels and lesson plans, …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: Witch Which Witch

Name Witch Which Witch Core Skill This game helps swimmers practice their streamline position, balance, and coordination. Who This game is suitable for swimmers who can swim at least 25 meters without stopping and are comfortable in deep water. What This game is a swimming challenge where swimmers pretend to be witches flying on broomsticks. …

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Swimming Game – Challenge: One Finger Floating

Name One Finger Floating Core Skill The core skill of this challenge is to develop the swimmer’s confidence and balance in the water, as well as to introduce the concept of buoyancy. Who This challenge is suitable for level 1 swimmers who are learning the basic skills of swimming, such as breathing, floating, and gliding. …

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Swimming Game – Superhero Glides

Name Superhero Glides Core skill Gliding on the front and back How The instructor stands in the water near the wall and holds a superhero toy or picture. The swimmer stands on the bench and waits for the instructor to show the superhero. The swimmer then leans into the swim instructor’s support and glides on …

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Level 1 Day 1

Goals: Learn student names Introduce self (instructor) Give clear expectations: “We’re doing supported front glides. This is what it looks like.” Earn trust: demo activities first and offer modified alternatives if you sense fear. Focus on FUN and routines. Introduce framework: activity, activity, challenge. Smile, laugh, play! Challenge – Lift one foot above water and …

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