Wave Machine
Half the group makes gentle waves while the others float or travel, learning to stay calm when the water isn't flat.
- Stages
- Stage 2
- Difficulty
- Developing
- Skills
- Water Confidence, Back Float, Water Safety
- Equipment
- Float, Noodle
- Age
- 5–12 years
- Group size
- 4–14 swimmers
- Time
- About 5 minutes
- In a lesson
- Skill Development 1, Skill Development 2, Game / Consolidation
- Shared by
- SwimShare Resource
Safety notes
- Keep waves small and stop immediately if a swimmer becomes distressed.
What it develops
- Float on front and back and return to standing
- Know simple ways to stay safe in water
How to run it
- Group A stands in a line and pushes the water to make small waves.
- Group B floats on their backs or kicks across with floats.
- Group B practises keeping calm, blowing out if water splashes the face.
- Swap groups; increase the waves slightly.
Teaching cues
- Stay calm.
- Blow away the splashes.
- Keep your tummy up.
Make it easier
- Tiny waves only.
- Floaters use noodles.
Make it harder
- Travel on the front through the waves.
- Waves from two directions.
Common faults
- Wave-makers splashing faces directly.
- Floaters standing up at the first splash.
Corrections
- 'Push the water, don't throw it.'
- Start with waves from behind the floaters' feet.
Assistant / L1 role
- Stand with the floaters and stay beside the most anxious swimmer, talking them through staying calm in the waves.