What this swimming skill is
After a push-off or a turn, your child glides and kicks just under the surface. At some point they need to come up and swim. This skill is about that moment: rising gradually and starting the first arm stroke as they reach the surface, like merging onto a road.
It comes once your child can push off the wall and kick a short way under the surface. It leads towards diving in and race starts, which end the same way.
Why it matters
No stop and start.
A smooth rise keeps your child moving, so each length feels easier.
Better turns and starts.
Every turn and start ends here. A good rise makes all of them work better.
Comfort just under the surface.
Your child gets used to a short, relaxed glide before coming up to breathe.
Who it is for
This is for children, teens and adults who can push off the wall and kick a short way under the surface. Children on a swim team use it after every start and turn. If you are learning as an adult to swim laps, a smooth rise makes each length feel easier. Your instructor keeps the time under the surface short and comfortable for everyone.
In front crawl or backstroke
The goal
Your child glides off the wall, rises gradually and starts their first stroke right as they reach the surface. There is no pause, and they keep the speed from the push.
Why it matters
It joins every push-off, turn and start to the swim that follows. Lengths feel smoother and less tiring.
What happens in lessons
Push, glide, swim.
Your child pushes off, glides a short way and starts swimming. The instructor watches for any pause.
Adding a few kicks.
Your child kicks just under the surface, then rises into the first stroke.
On the back too.
Your child tries the same thing in backstroke, rising face up into the first arm stroke.
After every turn.
Once it flows, your child uses it after each turn as well.
How you can help between lessons
- On land, say the order out loud: push, glide, kick, rise, swim.
Common questions
- How long should my child stay under before coming up?
- Only as long as is comfortable and keeps them moving well. Beginners come up quickly, and that is fine. We never ask anyone to stay under longer than they want to.
- Does this apply to backstroke too?
- Yes. On their back, your child kicks just under the surface, rises gradually and starts the first arm stroke as they come up. The face is already towards the air, so it often feels easier.
- Is there a limit on how far swimmers can go under the surface?
- At meets, there can be. If your child swims in meets, we teach the version their meets use.
- Why not breathe on the very first stroke?
- Lifting the head straight away can slow your child down. Waiting one stroke keeps the body level. If your child needs air sooner, they should take it.
