It is the first step to learning how to swim.
Go slow.
Build trust with gradual incremental progression.
Ask repeatedly if swimmer will go under.
Going Underwater
Once you know to go underwater it may seem like a super simple and easy thing to do.
We want to make going underwater for our participants fun and exciting, interesting and amusing.
Provide multiple opportunities to go underwater through games, activities, challenges, and asking questions to get kids to put their face underwater.
With continued effort, with constant asking and offering opportunities the swimmers will eventually join in the fun and put their faces underwater to begin their swimming journey.
What was it like for you the first time you went underwater?
Do you remember it?
Do you have a personal story about your first moments in a swimming pool?
Take some time to think about how you learned to swim or how you got comfortable being in and around the water.
How can you ensure that your swimmers will have a joyful and safe learning moment?
Build Trust over time.
- Earn trust. Be honest.
- Demonstrate first.
- Respect swimmer choices
Home work and goggles are essential.
Gain support from parents, encourage goggles and treasure hunt in the bath; explain the process. Remember that many parents are here because they have a fear of water on their faces, having never been taught how to control their breath in water.