What this swimming skill is
Sculling means sweeping the hands gently back and forth under the water, a little like smoothing sand. The hands tilt slightly each way and press on the water, which helps hold the body up.
It builds on the kicks your child already knows. Here, your child uses it upright to keep the head up. Next comes using the same hand movement to glide gently along, and later full treading water.
See it in action
How to Tread Water
Moving the hands back and forth to stay up is the first part of this lesson on treading water.
From the AquaMobile YouTube channel
Why it matters
Staying up calmly.
Small, smooth hand movements keep the head up without panic or splashing.
Makes treading water easier.
Treading water means staying upright in one place with the head up, and it relies on this hand movement.
Feeling in control.
Knowing how to stay up with the hands gives many swimmers a real sense of security.
A feel for the water.
Learning how the hands press on the water helps every stroke.
