Rain Hat
Swimmers pour a cup of water over their own head – giving them control builds confidence fast.
- Stages
- Stage 1
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Water Confidence, Aquatic Breathing, Submersion
- Equipment
- Watering Can
- Age
- 3–99 years
- Group size
- 1–12 swimmers
- Time
- About 3 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Use pool-safe containers only; no glass or sharp edges.
What it develops
- Be comfortable with water over the head
How to run it
- Give each swimmer a cup or small watering can.
- They fill it and pour it slowly on their own hand, then shoulder, then the top of the head.
- Count down together and blow out as the water comes down.
- Finish by pouring on the top of the head without wiping the face.
Teaching cues
- You're in charge – pour when you're ready.
- Blow out as the water comes down.
- Look down slightly so water runs off the nose.
Make it easier
- Half-full cup.
- Pour onto the back of the head first.
Make it harder
- Full can, then duck the head under straight after.
- Pour and then put the face in.
Common faults
- Looking up so water runs into the nose.
- Gasping in before the water lands.
Corrections
- 'Chin to chest' before pouring.
- Breathe in before the countdown, blow out on 'go'.
Assistant / L1 role
- Help young swimmers hold the cup steady and count down with them.