Surface, Turn and Swim Away
After every entry, swimmers steer up, turn to face the side and swim out of the entry area – so the next swimmer has clear water.
- Stages
- Diving – Stage 8, Diving – Stage 9, Diving – Stage 10
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Safe Exit, Water Safety, Diving Safety
- Equipment
- None
- Age
- 8–99 years
- Group size
- 1–16 swimmers
- Time
- About 3 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Recap / Safe Exit
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Deep water: swimmers must be able to swim to the side unaided; rescue aid on poolside.
What it develops
- Surface, turn and return safely
- Confident, controlled entries and exits
- Explain and apply diving safety rules
How to run it
- After a jump, swimmers look up and kick to the surface.
- Turn to face the nearest side or the exit point the teacher shows.
- Swim to it and climb out at the steps or side, away from the entry spot.
- Practise until it happens every time without reminders.
Teaching cues
- Look up, kick up.
- Turn to the side.
- Swim away quickly.
Make it easier
- Teacher points the direction after each entry.
Make it harder
- Surface into a tread for three seconds, then swim away.
Common faults
- Swimmer stays under the entry spot.
- Swims back towards the wall below the next swimmer.
Corrections
- 'Clear the landing zone.'
- 'Swim to the steps, not the wall in front.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Stand at the exit point to show swimmers where to go and tell the teacher when the entry area is clear.