Noodle Reach
Swimmers learn the most important rescue rule – reach, don't go – by pulling a partner to the wall with a noodle.
- Stages
- Stage 2
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Water Safety
- Equipment
- Float, Noodle
- Age
- 5–12 years
- Group size
- 2–12 swimmers
- Time
- About 4 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2, Recap / Safe Exit
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Keep all practice within standing depth.
- Make clear that in a real emergency they should shout for an adult straight away.
What it develops
- Know simple ways to stay safe in water
How to run it
- Explain: if a friend is in trouble, never jump in – reach them with something long.
- Swimmer A holds the wall and stretches out a noodle.
- Swimmer B, a short distance away, grabs the end and holds on.
- A pulls B slowly to the wall, then they swap roles.
Teaching cues
- Reach, don't go.
- Hold the wall tight with one hand.
- Pull slowly, hand over hand.
Make it easier
- The 'swimmer in trouble' stands and walks while holding the noodle.
Make it harder
- Swimmer B floats on their back while being pulled.
- Try reaching with a float instead of a noodle and discuss which works better.
Common faults
- The rescuer lets go of the wall to reach further.
- Pulling too fast so the partner lets go.
Corrections
- 'One hand stays on the wall – always.'
- Ask the rescuer to talk to their partner: 'Hold on, I've got you.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Act as the 'swimmer in trouble' for the first demonstration so the group can see what to do, then move between pairs checking rescuers keep a hand on the wall.