Swimming is an essential and vital skill that most—if not all—of us can benefit to learn. Whether you have grown up around bodies of water and are an avid swimmer, or feel sheepish about getting into open water, knowing how to swim and get yourself to safety can be a lifesaving skill to have.

While a day at the lake or beach can be relaxing or energizing, it can also present a series of risks if not taken seriously. This is why jurisdictions all around the world have accredited organisations that promote water safety. In Australia, swimming teachers across the country go through rigorous training under Austswim programmes. 

Lesson planning is one of the most important things a swimming teacher can do, and should be carried out regularly to help students develop progressive skills. But, not all lessons will go to plan, so always have a plan B. Think of lesson planning as a guide that needs constant review instead of a concrete agenda. 

Unique Austswim Lesson Plans & Ideas for Instructors

Today, we are going to talk about what makes a great Austswim lesson plan. But, before we get into that, let's learn more about what Austswim is, and their purpose.

What is Austswim?

According to the website, 'Austswim is Australia’s national organisation for the teaching of swimming and water safety™.' A non-profit present in every state/territory of Australia, it was established in 1979 to promote safe swimming techniques through educational programs. This body also accredits swimming teachers with the skills they need to educate their students on staying safe in all sorts of water situations.

Teachers accredited through Austswim must help their students learn swimming in open water environments by eliminating ropes, walls, and other boundaries—while doing so safely, of course. In teaching students to stay buoyant in the water on their own, they can build tangible skills that could make a meaningful difference in open waters.

In Australia, Austswim has accredited over 35,000 teachers to date. To learn more about Austswim, check out their website.

Developing a Successful Austswim Lesson Plan 

Lesson planning will promote the development of teaching skills so that teachers follow the methods set down, and thus making sure swim lesson ideas are suited to the appropriate lesson of each individual class rather than duplicating lesson plans that are inappropriate for class ability levels.

1. Skills Warm Up. Prepare students at the beginning of the lesson by using a relevant revision of previous lesson drills. Useful skills to include at this stage include kicking or breathing lessons.
2. Skill Development. The main component of the lesson will be developing skills, of course. This could include several different types of skills, including high elbow recovery and developing strong kicking action through a variation of kicking drills.
3. Main Points. Use this moment to establish what terminology you want to emphasis for students to retain. 
4. Final Activity. Finally, end your lesson with a free-for-all activity for students to unwind. Be sure to provide constructive feedback, and most importantly, positive praise.

Creative Ideas for Mixing up your Austswim Class

Need some ideas to keep swimming lessons fun and engaging? Here are a few to try out:

1. Red Light, Green Light. Set students up to sit on the edge of the pool with their feet in the water. Once 'green light' is said, students should kick as hard as they can; when they hear 'red light', they stop kicking. This is a great game to set boundaries, build on listening skills, and form a great instructor-child relationship.
2. Chop, Chop, Timber. Jumping in water can be scary for kids, but this game makes it much more fun. Students sit on the edge of the pool in a little seed on the ground. The teacher splashes them to give them some water, and sunshine by forming a sun with their arms stretched out. The student picks what type of tree they are, and then the instructor 'chops' them down at their knees so they jump in. 
3. Starfish. This can be a difficult skill for younger kids to learn, but if your students are ready, it is a good one to know. Knowing how to stay afloat in water is vital for certain situations, and allowing students a space to get more comfortable with the feeling of floating in water helps. 

Key Tips for an Effective Austswim Lesson

Planning swim lessons effectively enables the class to progress to each student's level and for the teacher to create an exciting, fun, interesting learning environment for all. Plus, lesson planning allows for a flow and exchange of ideas between instructors.

Teachers should understand that each student can learn one concept differently, and think back on how the task required was inferred by each student individually. Using the 'learning loop' each time a lesson plan is created encourages the swimming teacher to include various activities so students can learn a skill.

Get Your Austswim Lesson Plans Started

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