Swimming Musical Chairs: A Fun Group Challenge for Swimmers

Name

Swimming Musical Chairs. While it isn't literally musical chairs, I use this name because it conveys the general rules of the game very well.

Core Skill

Speed and specific stroke work chosen by the instructor.

Who

Participants who can swim, or if you have shallow enough water, swimmers who are capable of picking themselves up if they fall in waist deep.

What

Choose a specific skill to work on. During the game, the instructor can give general instructions ("Any way you want") or provide clear rules on how the swimmers must retrieve the toys. For example, you might say: "This round you must swim FREESTYLE; if you do anything else, you'll automatically be disqualified."

How

This is an implicit learning game where swimmers must constantly think about how to move faster and more efficiently. Their goal is to retrieve the toy before anyone else. Encourage them to consider the benefits of streamline, long arms, short strokes, and proper technique.

1. Have all participants start on the wall or in one central starting location.
2. Gather a number of toys equal to (Participants - 1). Use either float toys or sinking toys, but not both.
3. Throw all the toys a set distance away from the starting point.
4. When the instructor says "GO," participants swim the directed stroke to the toy and return. Those who successfully retrieve a toy stay in the game; the person who does not is eliminated until only one winner remains.
5. Repeat the game, always removing one participant and one toy each round until there is only one person left—the winner.
6. Use 5 players and 4 balls.
7. When the instructor throws the ball, wait for the signal "GO."
8. When "GO" is called, all swimmers swim any stroke they want to the balls and pick one up.
9. Everyone who gets a ball moves to the next round; the person who does not sits out until the next game.

Difficulties Instructors Might Face

Managing the elimination process can be tricky, so ensure your rules for disqualification are crystal clear before starting. Also, remember that if participants get frustrated by being eliminated, taking a quick water break or switching to a fun warm-up activity can reset the energy.