By Norwegian Swimming Federation, Phillip Munro Omdahl and David Nesgård
I DO glide in the water
I CAN lay on my back and glide like an arrow while I am being towed through the water
I KNOW how body position affects balance and glide in the water.
I REACT by adjusting my posture to stay stable and straight while being pulled.
I FEEL enjoyment and confidence when gliding through the water like a boat with other children
I LIKE trusting my partner and feeling how the water carries me
The child comfortably maintains a horizontal, streamlined body position during the tow.
The head, hips, and feet remain aligned ("like an arrow").
The participant appears calm and lets themselves glide passively.
Start with shallow water swimming pool where children can stand (water to the hip or belly button). Or lane section.
Space requirements: approximately a five-meter lane (depending on group size).
Equipment: Ring.
Children work in pairs (one pulls, one floats)
Spread the children around the restricted shallow area of the pool.
Movement in the water.
The teacher/instructor guarantees safety by always seeing all children, and by using restricted shallow water. Instructors can be inside or outside the pool, depending on the level and number of children.
5’-15’
This exercise can be at the start of the lesson or in the main part of the lesson, especially for float/glide practice.
Floating, Orientation.
Comfort with face out of water and lying still in water
One person is standing up with a ring in their hands and the other lies on their back in the water in a streamlined “arrow” position, holding onto a rope, noodle, or diving ring.
The partner gently pulls them through the water, allowing the floating child to focus on body alignment and glide. Afterwards, the roles are switched.
Hints/suggestions:
- Cue the floating child: “Stay like a rocket!” or “Head still, toes pointed!”
- Encourage the pulling partner to use smooth, consistent movements
- Use it as a relaxation or recovery task between more active exercises
- Can be progressed by increasing the length of the glide or removing the holding object
