Name
Splash the Deck
One-Liner
Face the wall and make waves high enough to splash the deck (rise over the edge).
Success Criteria
Water from your waves splashes over the edge of the pool deck.
Failure Criteria
Your hands break the surface of the water. All wave-making must happen underwater.
Core Skill
Wave generation and body awareness — learning to create powerful, controlled waves using only underwater movements.
Who
Swimmers of all ages who can comfortably face the wall and submerge their hands. Great for beginners learning to feel the water and for more advanced swimmers working on wave power.
What
A simple but challenging activity: stand facing the pool wall, keep your hands underwater at all times, and use your arms and body to create waves that splash over the edge onto the deck.
How
- Stand facing the wall, about an arm's length away.
- Place your hands underwater — they must stay below the surface the entire time.
- Use your arms, hands, and body to push and pull water, creating waves that travel toward the wall.
- Keep your hands submerged. No lifting them above the water to splash.
- Try to make the waves big enough to rise over the edge of the pool and splash the deck.
Difficulties Instructors Might Face
Swimmers often instinctively lift their hands out of the water to splash. Remind them that the challenge is about generating power from underwater movements only. Some may struggle to create enough force — encourage them to use their whole body, not just their arms. For younger or smaller swimmers, moving closer to the wall can help.