Why Rushing Wave 4 is a Problem:

Pushing your child through Wave 4 too quickly may result in poor stroke technique when swimming longer distances. As they begin to swim further, fatigue can set in if their form isn’t strong, leading to frustration or even fear of failure. Life-saving skills like the HELP position also require time and practice to master. Skipping this foundational work could hinder their ability to handle more complex tasks in later waves, where greater stamina and coordination are needed.

1. Swim 10 Metres Frontcrawl

Your child will swim 10 metres of frontcrawl, focusing on breathing control and maintaining a streamlined body position.

Parent Tips:

• Encourage rotation: Teach your child to rotate their body while swimming, as this helps with breathing and keeping a smooth stroke.
• Steady kicks: Remind them to kick from the hips and maintain a steady rhythm to help with propulsion and body position.
• Breathe regularly: Practice breathing every 3 strokes, helping your child stay relaxed and maintain control.

2. Swim 10 Metres Backstroke

Your child will swim 10 metres of backstroke, focusing on continuous arm recovery and steady leg kicking.

Parent Tips:

• Keep the head still: Encourage them to look up and keep their head still to maintain a straight body position.
• Strong leg kicks: Remind them to kick from the hips, keeping their legs straight but relaxed for better propulsion.
• Arm coordination: Help them maintain a smooth, alternating arm recovery without pausing between strokes.

3. Swim 10 Metres Breaststroke

Your child will swim 10 metres of breaststroke, following the pull-breathe-kick-glide sequence.

Parent Tips:

• Focus on the glide: Encourage your child to take their time with each stroke and focus on the glide phase to maximise efficiency.
• Timing is key: Help them understand the timing of the pull, breathe, kick, and glide by breaking down each movement and practising slowly.
• Leg strength: Practise kicking drills to build leg strength, ensuring they keep their feet flexed during the kick.

4. Swim 10 Metres Butterfly

Your child will swim 10 metres of butterfly, focusing on coordinating arm recovery with dolphin kicks.

Parent Tips:

• Small dolphin kicks: Encourage small, controlled dolphin kicks to help build their strength and keep the body moving smoothly.
• Undulate the body: Teach them to move their body in a wave-like motion, with the chest leading the movement followed by the hips.
• Short bursts: Practise butterfly in short bursts to build strength and coordination, rather than trying to swim the full distance all at once.

5. Perform the HELP Position

The HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Position) position helps conserve body heat in cold water. Your child will learn to maintain this position in the water.

Parent Tips:

• Arms and legs close to the body: Teach your child to tuck their arms and legs close to their body to retain warmth.
• Stay calm: Encourage slow, steady breathing and remaining calm, which will help them float in this position longer.
• Make it fun: Practise the HELP position in a playful way by pretending they are keeping warm on a trip to the north or south pole and discuss what animals you’d see at either location.

6. Tread Water for 30 Seconds

Your child will tread water for 30 seconds, using coordinated leg and arm movements to stay afloat.

Parent Tips:

• Use a countdown: Make treading water more enjoyable by counting down together or using a fun memory challenge. Maybe seeing if they can recite a certain song, poem, or just tell you 10 facts about a project they are working on at school.
• Leg focus: Encourage them to kick from the hips, using wide circular movements with their legs to keep their body afloat.
• Arm coordination: Teach them to make wide, sweeping arm movements to help with balance and endurance.

7. Perform Dolphin Kicks Underwater

Your child will practise dolphin kicks while gliding underwater, developing strength and efficiency for more advanced strokes.

Parent Tips:

• Start small: Practise small dolphin kicks first before progressing to full glides underwater.
• Streamlined body: Encourage them to keep their arms tight by their ears and head down to maintain a streamlined body position.
• Focus on the hips: Teach them to move their body from the hips rather than the knees for more powerful kicks.

8. Scull Feet First for 5 Metres

Your child will scull feet-first on their back for 5 metres, focusing on moving through the water using their hands only.

Parent Tips:

• Small, fast hand movements: Encourage them to use small, quick hand movements to scoop the water effectively.
• Keep the body still: Remind them to keep their body as still as possible while sculling, focusing on hand technique.
• Start with aids: If needed, let your child use a flotation device until they build enough confidence and skill to scull unaided.

Wave 4 focuses on developing your child’s endurance, stroke efficiency, and early life-saving techniques. By swimming longer distances and mastering key skills like dolphin kicks and the HELP position, your child will build the stamina and confidence needed to move to the next wave. Remember, rushing through Wave 4 can lead to poor stroke technique and difficulties with more advanced tasks later on. Taking the time to reinforce these foundational skills will ensure your child continues to thrive in their swimming journey.