Don’t let the fact that you don’t know how to swim, or that your children don’t know how to swim keep you away from summertime pool parties. If the host has a swimming pool with a beach entry or with a “shallow end” in the pool, even those who can’t swim, can enjoy the pool.
Keep in mind that if you don’t know how to swim, it’s best to wear a life vest, regardless of your age. Also, if the swimming pool is full and you are responsible for a child who either cannot swim or who is not a strong swimmer, a life vest just makes sense.
If you know how to swim and want to show off a bit, here are five tips and tricks that even a beginner can do.
Swimming Pool Tricks For Beginners
The underwater somersault
If you’re like most people, you’ve seen swimmers do underwater flips and were impressed, right? It’s a fun trick as well as a useful skill for lap swimmers.
To do a somersault, you want to practice in water that isn’t above your head – when you’re just learning. Bend at the waist, propel yourself forward using your arms and legs to help you spin in a circle. Picture yourself rolling down a hill in a tire to get into the headspace of your somersault.
If you’re a lap swimmer you may want to incorporate this flip into your laps. Why? Because it’s fun!
The dive
When you dive, you need to make certain there is no one in the way – it’s best to not dive into a pool during a pool party. Always keep your arms extended above your head to protect yourself.
To execute a clean, virtually splash-free dive takes a lot of practice and a lot of courage. Be prepared to do a few belly flops before you get it right.
To practice diving, jump up, bend your body and aim the top of your head into the water. Your body should (hopefully, to avoid the belly flop) follow your head in a straight line into the water. You’ll know you mastered it when you don’t land on your belly and when you break the surface of the water cleanly and smoothly.
Synchronized swim handstand
If you’ve ever watched synchronized swimming you’ve seen the swimmers do underwater handstands. This, for some people, is even more exciting than doing a somersault.
To perform a handstand practice in water that isn’t over your head when you stand. Propel your body down toward the bottom of the pool, place your hands – palms flat – on the pool floor. Keep your body straight until your feet are sticking out of the water. Ta-da!
Classic cannonball
Okay, who doesn’t love a good cannonball? You make a big splash at any party when you do this and you can soak everyone who is relaxing poolside. It’s a win-win… for you!
Any swimmer, of any age or skill level, can master the “art” of the cannonball. All you need to do is jump into the water while tucking your knees up to your stomach and wrapping your arms around your legs.
You will know you’ve mastered if when you hear the splash and the shrieks of everyone poolside!
Pool hacks and tricks for parents of young children
- For snacks poolside, give your children teething biscuits – they hold up to water.
- Place a brightly colored towel poolside and make certain your children know they are to stay on that towel so you can keep an eye on them.
- If a child is afraid of the pool, get a couple of kiddie pools, place them poolside and fill one with sand and one with water for them to play in.
Everyone into the pool is a cry that will be heard across the country regularly this summer. When you jump in, have fun, be safe and build happy family memories!