How to Tread Water for Beginners in 10 Minutes - Easy and Effective Technique

Summary

In this instructional video, Johnny Rocket teaches the essential skill of treading water with detailed underwater shots for leg movements. He outlines three key steps: effective arm movements to create a whirlpool effect for buoyancy, the eggbeater kick for legs, and maintaining a low body position to conserve energy. The video also emphasizes that while treading water is fun for casual use, it's not recommended for survival situations due to its exhausting nature, suggesting the back float instead. Tips for beginners and the importance of practice are highlighted.

Takeaways

• 🏊‍♂️ **Arm Movement**: Treading water starts with arm movements that push water downwards to lift you up.
• 🤲 **Hand Technique**: Use your forearms and hands to 'skull' the water, keeping your elbows close to your body.
• 🌀 **Creating a Whirlpool**: A whirlpool effect indicates effective arm movement, created by pushing water back and forth quickly.
• 🦵 **Leg Movement**: Use a one-footed breaststroke kick, or 'eggbeater kick', with flexed feet and knees close to the body.
• 🧍 **Body Position**: Keep your hips under your body to stay in one place; lean forward slightly to reduce leg strain.
• 👀 **Moving While Treading**: To move, look in the direction you want to go, and your body will rotate to follow.
• 🚫 **Not for Survival**: Treading water is not recommended for long-term survival situations; use the back float instead.
• 🌊 **Gravity in Water**: Stay low in the water to reduce the effort needed to tread; coming up too high is tiring.
• 💦 **Avoid Splashing**: If you're choking on water, lower your hands and shoulders rather than lifting your head higher.
• 🏅 **Skill Importance**: Treading water is a required skill for water sports, Boy Scout tests, and other certifications.
• 👋 **Instructor Contact**: For personalized swim lessons, contact the instructor directly or sign up on the website.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Johnny Rocket's video?

The main focus of Johnny Rocket's video is to provide detailed instructions on how to tread water, including underwater shots for the legs.

What are the three steps to treading water according to the video?

The three steps to treading water are: 1) arm movement to redirect water downwards, 2) one-footed breaststroke kick (eggbeater kick) with legs, and 3) maintaining body position with hips under the body and leaning forward slightly for beginners.

How should you position your arms while treading water?

Your arms should be close to your body with elbows in a little bit, using mostly forearms and hands. You don't need to use your whole arm or move your arms too far from your body.

What is the goal of the arm movement in treading water?

The goal of the arm movement is to redirect water downwards to boost the body towards the surface.

What is the term for the kick used while treading water with legs?

The kick used while treading water with legs is called a one-footed breaststroke kick, also known as an eggbeater kick.

What should your feet position be during the eggbeater kick?

Your feet should be flexed, knees close to your body, and feet kept wide during the eggbeater kick.

How does the eggbeater kick help in treading water?

The eggbeater kick helps in treading water by trapping water between the heels and shins and redirecting it down towards the bottom or center of the body.

What is the recommendation for staying in one place while treading water?

To stay in one place while treading water, you should keep your hips underneath your body and lean forward slightly to take pressure off your legs.

How does treading water feel like when moving around?

Moving around while treading water is compared to riding a hoverboard, where looking in the direction you want to move causes your body to rotate and travel towards that direction.

What is Johnny Rocket's advice for survival in an ocean or after falling off a boat?

Johnny Rocket recommends using the back float for survival in an ocean or after falling off a boat, as treading water can be exhausting and is a temporary solution.

What is a common mistake beginners make when learning to tread water?

A common mistake beginners make is trying to come up too high out of the water, which increases the effort needed to stay afloat.

Why is it advised to stay low in the water while treading?

Staying low in the water reduces the gravitational effect on the body parts out of the water, making it easier to tread water.