Wall Monkeys
Swimmers travel sideways along the wall hand over hand, like monkeys on a branch.
- Stages
- Stage 1
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Water Confidence, Sideways Travel
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 3–10 years
- Group size
- 1–12 swimmers
- Time
- About 3 minutes
- In a lesson
- Introduction / Warm-up
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Keep swimmers spaced out so hands aren't trodden on or trapped.
- Make sure the wall edge has a secure handhold.
What it develops
- Enter the water safely
- Move sideways along the wall
How to run it
- Swimmers hold the pool edge with both hands, facing the wall.
- They move sideways hand over hand along the wall, feet walking or 'climbing' the wall.
- Change direction on your call.
- Progress to feet off the floor, using the hands only.
Teaching cues
- Always keep one hand on the wall.
- Shoulders under the water.
- Chin close to the water; blow bubbles as you go.
Make it easier
- Feet stay walking on the floor.
- Assistant walks behind and supports under the hips.
Make it harder
- Feet on the wall, climbing like a spider.
- Race to a toy placed on poolside 5 metres away.
Common faults
- Letting go with both hands at once.
- Pulling the body high up the wall.
Corrections
- 'One hand always holds the branch.'
- Encourage bubbles at the surface to keep the body low.
Assistant / L1 role
- Stand behind a nervous swimmer with hands around (not holding) their waist so they feel safe letting the feet float.