Slalom Diving

The child pushes off the pool wall and dives as far as possible. The distance they cover underwater is marked with an object. This exercise is repeated multiple times throughout the course to track progress. However, this exercise may not work for every child. Some children lack the motivation for such a challenge and resurface as soon as they feel the slightest need for air. For these children, it can be helpful to set a target distance. The appropriate distance will depend on the child and should provide a challenge. As a guideline, 7 meters is a good starting point. However, children’s diving abilities vary greatly, with ranges from 3 to 25 meters being entirely possible.

A single diving hoop is placed sideways on the pool floor. The child swims toward the hoop, dives through it in a 180-degree arc, and then swims a few meters back along the same path. Before attempting the exercise with three hoops, it’s best to start with just one. The 180-degree arc helps the child learn how to use their hands and legs for a slow directional change with a wide radius. In the core exercise, these directional changes will need to happen much more quickly.

Place 3 to 8 diving rings scattered around the pool, each approximately one and a half meters apart. The goal for the child is to retrieve as many rings as possible in a single dive. This exercise is quite similar to the core exercise, as the child needs to hold their breath for a certain amount of time and be capable of changing direction underwater. The rings, however, add a playful and rewarding element to the exercise, making it more engaging and enjoyable for the child.