Paddling

Learning to do a doggy paddle

Why do it?

Paddling is one of the most important foundational activities in learning to swim. It’s a vital building block in swim instruction. It lays the groundwork for technique, strength, confidence, and safety.

How to do it?

Start in a shallow section of the pool.

Sit on the pool step to get comfortable.

Place your hands on the step and begin to "walk" your hands forward along it while allowing your lower body to float—this is often called an “alligator walk.”

As confidence builds, introduce a swim noodle placed under the armpits for added support.

Continue the walking motion in the water with your arms.

Focus on moving one hand forward at a time, as if you're tracing a straight line through the water with each hand.