What this swimming skill is
A somersault in the water is just like a forward roll on a mat. Your child tucks into a small ball, rolls head over heels and comes back up. They hum or breathe out through the nose all the way round, which keeps the water out.
It comes once your child is happy going under and can turn at the wall. Your instructor teaches it away from walls first. Next, your child adds the wall and turns the roll into a flip turn.
Why it matters
It is fun.
Most children love somersaults once water up the nose stops being a worry. It makes lessons playful.
Confidence upside down.
Rolling over and coming up the right way helps your child feel at home under the water.
The heart of the flip turn.
Every flip turn starts with this roll. Getting comfortable with it now makes the next step much easier.
Who it is for
This is for children and teens who are happy going under and breathing out underwater. They swim well enough to start thinking about flip turns. Your child is ready when they can put their head under calmly and come up without rushing to wipe their face. Teens often pick it up quickly and move straight on to the wall. Adults who want a flip turn learn the same roll as part of that skill.
Practising in shallow water
The goal
Your child tucks into a ball, rolls forward in the water and comes up calmly. After the roll, they end up facing the wall, just as a flip turn needs.
Why it matters
It turns being upside down into something familiar and fun. It also builds the roll that every flip turn needs.
What happens in lessons
Starting with what they know.
Your instructor links it to the forward rolls your child already does on grass or a mat. Then they practise humming with the face in the water.
A helped roll.
Your child tucks into a ball and the instructor helps them roll over, with hands right beside them.
Rolling on their own.
Once it feels easy, your child rolls by themselves, humming all the way round.
Finding the wall after the roll.
Your instructor adds a target to face after the roll, getting your child ready for flip turns.
How you can help between lessons
- Practise forward rolls on a soft surface like grass or a mat, chin tucked.
Common questions
- Water goes up my child's nose when they roll. How do we stop it?
- Breathing out through the nose while upside down keeps water out. Humming works well for many children. Some use a nose clip while they learn, and your instructor can talk about whether that suits yours.
- My child gets dizzy. Is that normal?
- A little dizziness is common at first, especially after a few rolls in a row. Your instructor keeps the number of rolls small and gives time to settle. If your child feels unwell, they stop.
- Is it safe in water where my child can stand?
- Yes, when the water is deep enough for a full roll and the space is clear. Your instructor checks that your child can roll without touching the bottom, away from walls and steps, and stays right beside them.
- Can my child practise at home?
- Yes, once your instructor has shown them how, and only with an adult in the water right beside them. Use the same spot you use in lessons.
