What this swimming skill is
On the back, the natural urge is to sit up and look at your feet. Then the hips sink, and it feels like sitting in a chair in the water. This skill is about lying back, ears in the water and eyes to the sky, so the body stays flat near the surface.
It comes after your child can float on their back, with or without support. Once staying level while kicking feels natural, the next step is a gentle roll of the shoulders that makes the arm stroke possible.
Why it matters
Breathing stays easy.
With the face clear of the water, your child can breathe whenever they like. Many children find backstroke calming for that reason.
Less effort.
A level body glides. A sinking one drags, and your child has to work much harder.
A way to rest.
Being comfortable on the back gives your child a way to get their breath back in the water, with an adult nearby.
Good for nervous swimmers.
Children and adults who dislike water on the face often feel more at home on their back.
Who it is for
This skill is for children, teens and adults who can float on their back, with or without support. Children often like backstroke because they can see and breathe, though water in the ears takes some getting used to. If you are an adult who dislikes putting your face in the water, you may feel at home here. For older adults, your instructor adjusts the head and body position so it feels comfortable.
