Toy Blowing Race
Swimmers blow a floating toy across the water – develops controlled breathing out with the mouth at the surface.
- Stages
- Stage 1
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Water Confidence, Forward Travel, Aquatic Breathing
- Equipment
- Floating Toys, Balls
- Age
- 3–9 years
- Group size
- 1–12 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- In a lesson
- Introduction / Warm-up, Game / Consolidation
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Watch for dizziness from over-blowing; give rest breaks.
What it develops
- Move forwards about 5 metres
- Blow bubbles with mouth and nose in the water
How to run it
- Each swimmer has a floating toy or ball.
- With chin on the water, they blow the toy forwards and follow it.
- Race to the other side of the teaching area.
- No hands allowed – only breath!
Teaching cues
- Chin on the water, lips close to the surface.
- Long, strong blows – like blowing out candles.
- Breathe in through the mouth, then blow.
Make it easier
- Blow the toy along the wall edge while holding on.
- Short distance, big toy.
Make it harder
- Blow with mouth and nose in the water to make bubbles push the toy.
- Relay race in teams.
Common faults
- Chin too high so the blow misses the toy.
- Short puffs that run out of breath.
Corrections
- 'Kiss the water' to bring the mouth down.
- 'Long blow like a birthday candle.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Blow a toy alongside a hesitant swimmer and turn it into a two-person race.