Name
Smiley Faces
Core Skill
Putting your face underwater
Who
This game is excellent for beginners and Level 1 swimmers who are learning how to go underwater. You can also play it with more advanced swimmers by making it harder — for example, not letting them use their hands to hold the toy to their face. We typically play this game in Level 1 as a challenge, and it fits easily into a challenge structure.
What
You need one smiley face float toy for each swimmer. Have the swimmer smile as big as the toy, then hold the toy to their face while maintaining that smile — as if it were a mask. The swimmer leans forward, keeping the toy pressed to their face, and pushes it underwater. The buoyancy of the float makes it difficult. The goal is to keep smiling while holding the toy underwater with your face.
How
Using the smiley face float toys, have your swimmer smile as big as the toy and hold it up to their face. Then, using their face, push the floating toy underwater while keeping their smile as large as the toy's smile.
Smile face float toys are available at the lifeguard store.Aqua Disk (thelifeguardstore.com)
These toys are wonderful for a variety of uses. They help swimmers stay on the surface and learn about buoyancy. In this game, we use them to get an emotional reaction. Encourage swimmers to smile like the toy, hold it to their face with their eyes poked through the eyeholes, and make their smile as big as the toy's smile. Then, pushing their face down, they submerge the floating toy. The buoyancy makes it challenging and fun. The swimmer holds the toy to their face and leans forward, pressing their face and the toy underwater. Make it more challenging by not letting them use their hands.
Difficulties Instructors Might Face
Some swimmers may be hesitant to put their face underwater at all. Start by having them just touch the toy with their chin or lips before attempting full submersion. The buoyancy of the toy can also surprise them — it will pop back up quickly. Encourage them to keep their smile big and breathe out slowly through their nose to stay relaxed. If a swimmer is scared, let them hold the toy with their hands first, then gradually remove hand support.