What this water confidence skill is
Walking in water feels different from walking on land. The water pushes against you, your body feels lighter and the floor can be slippery. This skill is about feeling steady: walking forward along the wall, then forward and sideways without holding on.
It comes after feeling at ease near the pool, and it can grow alongside the face and going under skills. Next comes changing direction in the water, then first swims on their own.
Why it matters
Feeling steady in the water.
Balance and calm start here, and every later skill relies on them.
Knowing where the shallow water ends.
Many pools slope into deeper water. Learning where the floor drops away is an important safety habit.
Finding the way to the steps.
Walking sideways along the wall is how you reach the steps or a ladder.
A gentle first time in the pool.
For nervous beginners of any age, walking is a relaxed way to get used to the water.
Who it is for
Everyone from toddlers to older adults works on this, each in their own way. With babies and toddlers it happens on a wide step or ledge, with the instructor's hands right there. Children walk the shallow end as a game. If you are learning as an adult or an older adult, this is often your first time in the pool. It goes at a pace that feels steady and secure.
With and without the wall
The goal
Your child walks forward through shallow water holding the wall, then lets go and walks forward and sideways on their own. They stay steady and keep to the shallow side.
Why it matters
Feeling steady on their feet in the water gives your child the calm they need for floating and swimming. Knowing where the shallow water ends keeps them safer.
What happens in lessons
Hands on the wall.
Your child walks along the wall with the instructor beside them, getting used to how the water pushes.
Where the shallow water ends.
Your instructor shows your child where the floor starts to slope and agrees a line to stay behind.
Arms in the water.
Your child learns to keep their arms under the surface, which helps them balance.
Letting go.
Your child walks forward and then sideways without holding on, with the instructor close by.
How you can help between lessons
- On land, practise crab walks and slow, big steps. It builds the same balance with no water needed.
Common questions
- My toddler cannot stand in our shallow end. Can they still do this?
- Yes. Your instructor uses a wide step or ledge where the water is shallow enough, with hands right beside your toddler. If your pool has no spot that shallow, your instructor adapts it and keeps your toddler in their arms.
- I am an older adult and nervous about slipping. Is this for me?
- Yes. Many older adults start exactly here. You use the wall, go slowly and take small, flat steps, with your instructor close the whole time.
- Why walk sideways?
- Sideways steps are how you move along the wall to the steps or a ladder. They also build balance in a new direction, which helps with turning later.
- Is walking in water really a swimming skill?
- It is the start of one. Balance, calm and knowing where the shallow water ends all begin here.
