Car Wash
Swimmers drive through a 'car wash' of sprinkled water to get used to water on the head and face.
- Stages
- Stage 1
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Water Confidence, Aquatic Breathing, Submersion
- Equipment
- Float, Watering Can
- Age
- 3–8 years
- Group size
- 2–12 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Introduction / Warm-up, Game / Consolidation
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Never surprise a swimmer with water – always give a countdown.
- Build up gradually; stop if a swimmer becomes distressed.
What it develops
- Scoop water and wash the face
- Be comfortable with water over the head
How to run it
- Teacher or assistant holds a watering can or cup above the water as the 'car wash'.
- Swimmers 'drive' (walk or kick with a float) through the car wash one at a time.
- Start with a light sprinkle on the hands, then shoulders, then the top of the head.
- Swimmers choose 'slow wash' or 'super wash' as they grow in confidence.
Teaching cues
- Blow out as the water comes down.
- Keep driving – don't stop under the water.
- Wipe your face only once you're through.
Make it easier
- Sprinkle on the hands and arms only.
- Let swimmers pour the water themselves.
Make it harder
- Full bucket 'super wash' over the head.
- Drive through with face in the water.
Common faults
- Stopping and grabbing the face.
- Breathing in while water is falling.
Corrections
- Count down '3, 2, 1, blow!' before the water.
- Let them see how much water is in the can first.
Assistant / L1 role
- The assistant operates the car wash while the teacher manages the queue, or drives through with a nervous swimmer.