Name
Kickboard Wars, Kicking Battle, Kick Tug of War
Core Skill
This game primarily works on kicking technique and aerobic conditioning. It also requires significant core strength to keep the body straight while pushing.
Swimmers will focus on:
Who
This game is best played with swimmers who have a good understanding of flutter kick, breaststroke, and butterfly kicks. Generally, we recommend ages 8 and over because the activity can be intense. Younger swimmers (under 8) may struggle with keeping their core engaged, often resulting in a spinning kick instead of a straight forward and backward push.
What
This game is essentially a water-based tug-of-war where the kickboard acts as the rope. The goal is for one swimmer to use powerful kicking to push their opponent backwards until they cross a designated marker (like a yellow buoy) on the lane line.
How
You will need a floating item, such as a kickboard or noodles, to serve as the central point. You can organize this activity in 1-on-1 matches or larger group variations.
- Find a partner and hold the kickboard sideways, with each person holding one side.
- Kick freestyle towards your opponent, aiming to push them backward.
- Start in the middle of the pool, in the middle of the lane.
- The goal is to kick as fast and hard as possible until the kickboard crosses your partner's yellow buoy on the lane line.
- You can run multiple groups simultaneously in different lanes.
- Larger teams (e.g., 4 or 2 people pushing on each side) can participate, though caution is advised when attempting breaststroke kicks with multiple people to prevent injury.
- Time-based challenges (e.g., who is farthest behind after a set time) or set number of kicks (e.g., 100 freestyle kicks) can be used for different levels of difficulty.
Difficulties Instructors Might Face
Because this activity involves physical pushing and competition, safety must be the top priority. Instructors must supervise closely to prevent collisions or injury, especially when multiple people are kicking simultaneously. Furthermore, managing the intensity and ensuring that all participants—from advanced swimmers to those just learning—are appropriately challenged requires careful planning.