Free Willy
A simple exercise to encourage fast leg kicks on the back.
Each child is a shark, holding the small float tight on their chest.
One is nominated as the fish.
On teachers mark, the fish has a slight head start and starts first.
“If Mr. Fish makes it to the other side he is free Willy, if any of the sharks get there first, he’s fish supper”
“Ready Mr Fish? Are you ready Sharks? Three, two one..”
Each child has one width at being the fish.
Lots of loud verbal encouragement to kick faster, stay flat etc from teacher
Elephants
A gentle warm up for introducing water over the head.
Imagine…
We are a herd of elephants in the hot, hot jungle.(Long arms, floppy hands)
We are walking with big steps (singing an appropriate song, nelly the elephant, theme from jungle book. Or if you are too embarrassed a joke: Why don’t elephants go swimming. Because their trunks keep falling down!)
But it is so hot. Soon we will find a watering hole.
There it is, quick Trunks (arms) out, scoop up the water, throw it over our backs.
Ooh that’s lovely!
Spray it everywhere.
And there is a tropical rain storm…Make big splashes …(Teacher sings: I’m singing in the rain)
The Train
A rowdy, fast warm up, wet & wild!
Teacher is the engine, children hold on behind, one behind each other:
“I’m the engine you are the carriages, don’t let go, whatever happens”
Goggles on
Walk slowly to start with, get the engine noises going. Then start circling.
Pass a water stop (it’s a steam engine) splash the water back in the air.
Coming to a tunnel (woggle), get ready to blow bubbles when we duck
3,2,1 Hold tight! Duck!
Check all the carriages are still on.
Getting faster now coming down the hill. Faster, faster.
By now the water should be swirling, someone always slips, let’s go or gets excited – which is the cue to crash.
“We are out of control! Look out for the wall.”
Every one concertinas together and gets swirled around .
Once crashed, lay down arm and legs wide and float like a sky diver.
Stuck In the Mud
A simple game most kids are familiar with, useful to get them moving about quickly.
One chaser, when caught they stand with hands on their head.
To release a player the team mates must swim through their legs ( Or tag or do a somersault)
Boys are “it”, then girls are “it” is always popular.