Perform surface exercises to build confidence in the water, to train your body to balance like a log at the surface, and to learn to relax in the aquatic environment.

Egg to Front Float Exercise

Hold your breath, float like an egg, and then extend your arms and legs to float at the surface. Initially, floating fins will help. If you can balance your body extended at the surface, you can use your arms and legs to provide propulsion, instead of using them to keep your body afloat!

 

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to have a high percentage of body fat to do this –  it helps, but all good swimmers can float like a log at the surface. Learning to balance on your lungs like this is like learning to balance on a bicycle. With practice, anybody can do it. And if you want to swim longer than a few hundred yards, it’s probably the most important skill to master.