Basic Aquatic skills

Learning the aquatic skills are essential as they are the building blocks for understanding the different
swimming strokes. Also, necessary aquatic skills can save a life in case of an emergency. Basic aquatic skills,
such as adjusting to the water, safety entering and exiting in the water, floating, breathing control, gliding, or
basic water movement, are necessary before learning the basic strokes. These aquatic skills are essential to
ensure safety and awareness, to feel comfortable, and gain confidence in the water while doing different
necessary aquatic skills.

A. Entering and Exiting the Water

The most basic of the foundation skills in swimming is merely getting into and out of the water. New
swimmers must learn and be aware of how to adjust to the water and acquire safety techniques to get into and
out of the water. There are several ways to enter the water (swimming pool). The preeminent method to use
depends on the purpose of getting into the water, the size of the pool, and the ability of the swimmer.
Getting into and out of the water safely is a vital skill to master. There may not always be stairs or a
sloping ramp available. Take the time to look for safe entry and exit points, and remember that these may
change from time to time, especially weather changes.

Kinds of Water Entry

a. Ladders: Enter independently, using either the ladder or steps. Using ladders properly is an important part
of learning about our aquatic environment
b. Slide entry: Used for shallow water, and unknown water with a steep angled edge, especially in crowded
areas. This entry is safe and can be easily controlled since it allows the swimmer to feel unseen obstacles
below the surface using their feet.
c. Stride Entry or Straddle Jump: This is used when a lifesaver needs to watch a person in difficulty, and entry
is to be made from a low height into known deep water.
d. Step-off-entry: Used when entering shallow or unknown waters.
e. Normal Jump and Compact Jump: Used this kind of entry when swimmers know the depth of the pool
relative to their height.

B. Bobbing and Breath Control

Your first step to learning how to breathe while swimming comes from the bobbing drill. Bobbing
helps to develop breath control, which is essential for swimming.
The aim for this drill is to let you become comfortable inside water. Bobbing prepares you for
rhythmic breathing in deeper water; it's good for your confidence. The goal here is to learn bubbling and
exhaling under water and get you comfortable at the bottom of the pool.
C. Floating
This is the ability to stay at the water’s surfaces. Knowing how to float is a vital safety technique, and it’s
the first step in learning the different swimming strokes. But before you’re going to do this essential skill, you
need to believe that you can float.

a. Back Float: The back, or supine, float is especially useful for survival. One of the main benefits of the
back float is that the mouth stays above water throughout. Learn to float on the back by letting the body rise
to its natural floating position.
b. Floating on the Front: Aside from floating on the back one important survival skills is floating on the
front. Below are the different kind of floats under these basic skills.
c. Jellyfish Float: Use the Jellyfish float to check buoyancy.

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 d. Tuck Float: The tuck, or turtle, float is similar to the jellyfish float. Sinking a few inches is possible before
getting into the final position. If any sinking takes place, the shoulders will eventually rise slowly toward the
surface until they are just above or below the surface of the water.
D. Basic movement in the water
1. Glide
One of the fundamental skills in swimming is gliding. This basic skill is necessary for creating a
movement or staying in position. Also, Swimmers can use these skills to move through the water with
direction and reach safety in an emergency.

2. Front Glide and Back Glide- Gliding involves moving through the water in a streamlined position. The
position places the body in a narrow shape, which reduces form drag. To attain a streamlined position,
swimmers extend the arms overhead, press them against the ears, and clasp the hands, then extend the legs
and point the toes.

3. Flutter Kick
The flutter kick is a movement used in both swimming and exercise. This kicking exercise is significant in
different swimming strokes, such as freestyle or backstroke. Aside from the fact that the swimmer uses this to
move forward, it also keeps the legs up and helps assist and stabilize the upper body and body rotations for
the arms. In doing this kind of exercise, you need to move your legs up and down (one leg kicking
downwards while the other leg moves upwards).

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means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited. 2