Swim, Stop, Float
Swim a set distance, roll onto the back to float and recover, then carry on – teaches swimmers to rest without standing.
- Stages
- Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Back Float, Water Safety, Endurance & Pace
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 6–99 years
- Group size
- 1–16 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2, Recap / Safe Exit
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Along the side of the pool so the wall is always near.
What it develops
- Build continuous swimming distance
- Know how to stay safe and help others safely
- Swim continuously at a steady pace
- Use floating and signalling for self-rescue
- Float and rest to save energy
- Swim further with pace awareness
- Apply self-rescue and water safety knowledge
- Survival floating and energy saving
- Swim continuously with controlled pace
- Water safety and rescue awareness
How to run it
- Swim at an easy pace.
- On the teacher's signal, roll onto the back and float for five breaths.
- Roll back and continue swimming.
- Repeat over a longer distance.
Teaching cues
- Easy pace.
- Roll and rest.
- Breathe slowly, then go.
Make it easier
- Rest at the wall instead of floating.
- Shorter swims.
Make it harder
- Longer swims with fewer rests.
- Float in a vertical position instead.
Common faults
- Standing up to rest.
- Rushing the recovery.
Corrections
- Practise the roll to the back on its own.
- 'Five slow breaths before you go.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Walk alongside and give the 'float' and 'go' signals for one swimmer.