Stargazer
Back floating with a noodle under the arms while spotting 'stars' on the ceiling.
- Stages
- Stage 1
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Buoyancy, Back Float
- Equipment
- Noodle
- Age
- 3–10 years
- Group size
- 1–10 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2, Recap / Safe Exit
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Keep swimmers spread out so heads don't bump.
What it develops
- Float on the back with support
How to run it
- Swimmers put a noodle behind their back and under both arms.
- Lean back and look at the ceiling.
- Teacher names something to find: 'Can you see the big light? The red flag?'
- Swimmers lift their feet and float while they search, then recover.
Teaching cues
- Look up, not at your feet.
- Ears in the water.
- Push the hips up.
Make it easier
- Keep one foot on the floor.
- Assistant supports the head.
Make it harder
- Kick slowly to travel while stargazing.
- Hold the noodle with one hand only.
Common faults
- Looking down at the feet so the hips drop.
Corrections
- Keep giving new things to find on the ceiling.
Assistant / L1 role
- Support the swimmer's head in your hands and gradually slide your hands away.