Learning to Swim

presented by Leslie Newman

A comprehensive
guide to
teaching,beginners
how to swim.
An Overview

Water Safety Underwater

Confidence Swimming
Buoyancy Breath-control
Gliding Jump
Propulsion Turning and
Submerging and Changing Direction
Diving
Water Safety

Reaching pole
Every pool should have at least 2
reaching poles. This is an alloy or
bamboo pole that is bound and padded
at both ends. This device may also be
used as a teaching aid.
Water Safety

Ring-buoy and a heaving-

line
50 feet of a nylon fiber
line.
This nylon line can also
be attached to different
floating devices.
Torpedo Buoy
A life saving devise
that’s bright in color,
made of rubber, and is
about three feet long.
Confidence

Being comfortable in the water is a key

concept if one wants to learn how to
swim
Water temp. should be 30-32C
The learner must associate the water with an
enjoyable experience
Mouth closed, eyes open, brain alert, body relaxed
Relaxation is a vital aspect of learning to swim
Buoyancy

In order to feel at
ease in the water one
must learn to utilize
his/her body’s natural
tendency to float.
This can be done in
groups or with the aid
of floating devices.
Prone and supine float,
with recovery, should
be learned before
moving on.
Gliding

Front gliding
A. Squat lower to shoulder level in
water.
B. Medium breath, stretch arms
forward along surface
C. Push off with feet, dropping head on
the surface
D. Streamline glide, hold breath, stand
up.
Gliding

Back Glide
a. squat down to shoulder level
b. medium breath, lean backwards
c. streamline, arms by sides, hips and stomach
up to water level, legs together
d. hold breath to retain air in chest cavity for
buoyancy
e. stand up
Front and Back Underwater Flips with
recovery, may be added at this time
Propulsion

Using the aid of floats,

front and back glide with
added leg-beat, then
kick flutter kick, frog
kick
Without aids from front
glide. Permit natural
instinctive action,
concentrating only on
arm movement, if legs
kick naturally let them.
Dog paddle, breast
stroke, over-arm crawl
Propulsion

On back without aid of floating devise. From

the back glide thinking of arms doing all the
work. Allow legs to flutter instinctively
Movement with arm and leg action
a. dog paddle with flutter kick
b.breast-stroke with frog kick
c. over-arm crawl with flutter kick
d. elementary back stroke with frog kick and
glide.
Submerging and Surface Diving

This can be developed

through play activity
a. go down to pick up
colored objects
b. handstands
This familiarizes the
pupil with the
underwater experience,
orientation, and
improves breath-
control
Underwater Swimming

Easy, relaxed, natural

propulsion. Streamline-
glide and recovery
stokes should be
emphasized.
Work on
a. alternate arm action
with flutter kick
b. slow breast-stroke,
frog-kick and gliding
pause
Breath-control

Emphasize inhaling of a medium breath before

submerging, exhale before surfacing
Ensure maximal exhalation of CO2 without strain
underwater, followed by sufficient O2 intake
above water to supply increased demand by
working muscles
Exhale underwater with nose and mouth
Inhale above water with a medium breath using
just the mouth.
Jump

Stride with a
forward lean, arms
spread to prevent
submerging
Vertical jump,
spring outward with
arms at sides, legs
together, body
streamlined
vertically.
Turning and Changing Direction

This exercise can be taught after

pupil can swim the width of the pool
Instruct and experiment with various
methods
a.returning to starting point without
touching the bottom
b.swim and touch, turn and return
Conclusion

We’ve now looked at

some methods used to
teach the beginning
swimmer how to swim
safely with
confidence.
Remember safety and
comfort are key.
Everyone learns at a
different rate. Don’t
rush the beginner.