Listen to the Pool
Swimmers put their ears in and listen for underwater sounds – a gentle way to get comfortable with ears under for back floating.
- Stages
- Stage 2
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Water Confidence, Back Float
- Equipment
- Noodle, Sinkers
- Age
- 4–99 years
- Group size
- 1–10 swimmers
- Time
- About 3 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2, Recap / Safe Exit
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Keep the water calm so waves don't wash over the face.
What it develops
- Travel about 10 metres on the back
- Float on front and back and return to standing
How to run it
- Swimmers lie back with a noodle or with support, or hold the wall and lean back.
- They put their ears in the water.
- The teacher taps two sinkers together or hums under the water.
- Swimmers show a thumbs up when they hear it, then stand.
Teaching cues
- Ears in.
- Look at the ceiling.
- Stay still and listen.
Make it easier
- Hold the wall with both hands and dip one ear.
- Assistant supports the head.
Make it harder
- No noodle.
- Count how many taps you hear.
Common faults
- Lifting the head as soon as water covers the ears.
Corrections
- Explain the funny sound is normal – water just sounds different.
Assistant / L1 role
- Cradle the head of a swimmer who dislikes ears in, then slowly lower your hands until their ears are underwater.