Practice Makes Perfect!
As we have mentioned on many occasions, repetition is such a key element in learning anything new, especially in swimming. Listed below you will find certain activities and exercises which your child can do at home to help with the process of learning some of the more difficult skills associated with each level. These items will take just a little bit of time but can go a long way in helping improve your child’s swimming experience.
Little Junior/Kinder Junior/Beginner
1. Blow bubbles in into a bowl or bathtub full of water – for five seconds – look for bubbles
2. Walk under the shower or through a sprinkler to get head wet
3. Reach for toys in the bathtub
4. Make great big long arms- forward arm circles while looking into a mirror – 10x
Advanced Junior/Intermediate
1. Hum in a bowl or bathtub for five seconds. Make sure bubbles are visible.
2. Lie on stomach on bed and make 50 straight leg pointed toe kicks
3. Walk on tippy toes for 30 seconds x 3 to help with kicking skills
4. Big long arms – forward arm circles while looking into a mirror – 20x
Elite Junior/Intermediate II
1. Lie on stomach on bed and make 25 straight leg pointed toe kicks
2. Lie on back on bed and make 25 straight leg pointed toe kicks
3. Big long arm circles – forward arm circles while looking into a mirror – 25x
4. Backstroke arms – straight arm – thumb up towards head then pinky down – 25x
Elite Junior II/Advanced
1. Lie on stomach on bed and make 50 straight leg flutter kicks – quick little kicks
2. Lie on back on bed and make 50 straight leg backstroke kicks – quick little kicks
3. Breaststroke kick while lying on the floor – lift heels to rear end and make a circle touching your big toes together – 50x.
4. Bend and bow into the mirror – butterfly kick – 50x – slowly
5. Freestyle arms into the mirror – nice and long strokes – 50x
6. Backstroke arms into the mirror – proper pull pattern – bend and push – 50x
7. Butterfly arms into the mirror – reach forward – 50x
These are helpful hints, which we hope will help your child find greater success in the water. If you have any questions about any of these exercises please do not hesitate to ask a deck supervisor or the front desk for some help.
