Sharks in the Shallows
A chase game where the only safe place is floating like a starfish – swimmers must float quickly to avoid the shark.
- Stages
- Stage 2
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Skills
- Water Confidence, Front Float, Back Float
- Equipment
- None, Noodle
- Age
- 4–10 years
- Group size
- 4–14 swimmers
- Time
- About 6 minutes
- In a lesson
- Game / Consolidation
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Sharks tag gently on the shoulder only.
- Keep the game in standing depth.
What it develops
- Travel about 10 metres on the front
- Float on front and back and return to standing
How to run it
- The teacher (or a swimmer) is the shark and moves slowly around the area.
- Swimmers travel around; they are safe from the shark only while floating as a starfish.
- A swimmer tagged while standing becomes a helper shark.
- Change the safe shape each round: back star, front star, mushroom.
Teaching cues
- Float fast when the shark comes.
- Stand up safely when it's gone.
- Stay spread out.
Make it easier
- Safe while holding a noodle and floating.
- Shark moves very slowly.
Make it harder
- Safe only on a front float with face in.
- Travel with feet off the floor between floats.
Common faults
- Crouching instead of floating.
- Standing up too early and coughing.
Corrections
- The shark can see crouchers – only real floats are safe.
- 'Wait until your float is finished before you stand.'
Assistant / L1 role
- Be the second shark, moving towards swimmers who haven't floated yet so everyone gets practice.