What this swimming skill is
A streamline is the long, narrow shape swimmers make to slide through the water, like a pencil or a rocket. The hands stack above the head, the arms sit by the ears, and the body and legs stretch long. Your child practises it standing on land first, then while pushing off the pool wall.
It builds on keeping the body level. Next comes gliding off the wall, and later pushing off into a stroke.
See it in action
Learning to Swim as An Adult: How To Glide in Water
Made for adults learning to swim: stretching out long in the water, then gliding.
From the AquaMobile YouTube channel
Why it matters
Further for less effort.
A long, narrow shape slides through the water, so every push takes your child further.
Fun and satisfying.
Children love seeing how far they can shoot off the wall like a rocket.
Useful in every stroke.
Swimmers start each length from this shape, so it helps whatever stroke your child swims.
Who it is for
This is for children, teens and adults who are happy with the face in the water and can glide a little. Children usually love the pencil and rocket ideas. Your child is ready when they can push off the wall and stand up again comfortably. If you are learning as an adult with stiff shoulders, that is fine. Your instructor adapts the shape to what your body can comfortably do.
On land, then at the wall
The goal
Your child stands tall with the hands stacked above the head and the body stretched long. Then they push off the wall holding that shape, with the arms, head and legs in one line.
Why it matters
Learning the shape on land makes it much easier in the water. Pushing off in it is the first step to a good glide.
What happens in lessons
A pencil shape on land.
Your child stands tall at the poolside, stacks the hands and stretches up onto tiptoe.
Arms by the ears.
Your instructor helps your child tuck the head between the arms so everything lines up.
Feet on the wall.
In water where your child can stand, they put their feet on the wall with the instructor close by.
Push and hold.
Your child pushes off and holds the long shape for as long as it lasts, then stands up.
How you can help between lessons
- Practise standing up at home: stack the hands, arms by the ears, rise onto tiptoe and stretch tall.
Common questions
- What if my child cannot get their arms straight above the head?
- Some children, and many adults, have shoulders that do not stretch that far. Your instructor never forces it. A slightly wider arm position still works, and it often improves with practice.
- Why practise on land first?
- On land, your child can feel the shape without thinking about breathing or sinking. When they try it in the water, the body already knows what to do.
- Does my child need goggles?
- Goggles help when pushing off with the face in, but they are not essential. If your child uses them, make sure they fit snugly. Practising without them now and then means a slipped pair is no drama.
- Is a push-off the same as a dive?
- No. A push-off starts in the water, with the feet against the wall. It is taught in water where your child can stand and never involves a jump or a dive.
