Name
One Finger Floating
One-Liner
Swimmers float on their front and back while the instructor gradually reduces support from five fingers down to one.
Success Criteria
The swimmer stays relaxed and balanced in the water, maintaining a front or back float with only one finger of support from the instructor.
Failure Criteria
The swimmer sits up, panics, or loses balance before the instructor reaches one finger of support.
Core Skill
This challenge develops the swimmer’s confidence and balance in the water, and introduces the concept of buoyancy.
Who
This challenge is for Level 1 swimmers who are learning basic skills like breathing, floating, and gliding. Level 1 swimmers are typically beginners who are not yet comfortable in the water and need constant support from the instructor.
What
The instructor holds the swimmer’s hand or head with five fingers, then removes one finger at a time until only one finger remains. The swimmer must stay relaxed and balanced in the water without sitting up or panicking. The challenge is done in shallow water or on a bench. The goal is to complete both front and back floats with only one finger of support.
How
- Explain the purpose and rules of the challenge to the swimmers. Demonstrate with a volunteer or another instructor.
- Each swimmer takes a turn with the instructor.
- The floater lies on their stomach or back with arms extended and legs relaxed. The instructor holds the floater’s hand or head with their entire hand, then gradually reduces support by removing one finger at a time.
- Encourage swimmers to relax and breathe normally while floating. Remind them to keep their face in or out of the water depending on whether they are doing a front or back glide.
- Praise swimmers for their efforts and achievements. Provide feedback and tips on how to improve their floating skills.
- Repeat the challenge until all swimmers have tried both front and back glides with minimal support.