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Learn How to Tread Water – techniques for treading water

June 27, 2022

Water is a source of inspiration for any swimmer. It is able to calm, give inner harmony, and it helps to find balance both physically and emotionally. But it's worth remembering that water can be a danger, so the ability to swim, and first of all to stay on the water, is a vital skill. Therefore, we decided to dedicate this article to treading techniques so that you can find out how to easily and quickly learn how to stay on the water in a vertical position and what is the advantage of this skill.

What is treading in swimming?

To tread water means to use a basic swimming technique when the swimmer can pause for a certain period of time in an upright position or lying on the back.

As we can see from this definition, it can be presumed that there are two methods of treading in water - vertical and lying on your back.

Treading the water lying on your back is considered less energy-consuming, but also less safe, since the face is close to the surface and there is a chance of water getting into the nose, so let's focus on the vertical position of the body.

When is this skill needed?

1. For example, you are in an open reservoir and you are tired of swimming. You need a couple of moments to stop and look around, to understand whether you are moving in the right direction. Water treading skills will help you a lot here.

2. If you have an intense workout in the pool and you have lost the right pace and you need to catch your breath, stay on the water in an upright position to rest.

3. This is a vital skill that will help you stay on the water surface for a long time without wasting energy and strength.

Techniques for treading water

The easiest way to tread water is to learn the basic technique. 

The first thing to do is to orient the body in a vertical position. Keep your head above the surface and control your breathing. It should be smooth and constant, slow and deep. By the way, it is worth mentioning that deep and quiet breathing also calms the nervous system, relaxing you, which allows you to save energy and stay on the water longer. Therefore, this is an important aspect that is worth paying attention to.

The movement of the hands should be slow and precise, directed from side to side, but not up and down. If you move your arms up and down, it will automatically push out and lower the torso. This way is more energy-consuming. The palms should be pointing downwards, and the fingers should be closed together.

Foot movements have several options. The first of them is slow circular movements, the second is fast forward and backward movements, and the third consists of the following steps: bend and lift your legs, and then straighten them, creating repulsive upward movements.

You can also try moving your legs, as in the crawl swimming style. Bend your knees slightly and spread your arms apart. It will help to keep the balance and save effort. The toes of the feet should be stretched out. One leg moves forward and the other backward. Alternate these movements, keeping the same pace, and you will be able to stay on the surface of the water for a long time. We can say that this is the best way to tread water because it is not very complicated, energy-saving, and efficient.

Choose the easiest way to tread water!

As we already know, treading water techniques differ in the style of movement of the upper and lower limbs, we have prepared for you some tips on learning these techniques so that you can master them quickly and effectively.

Learning how to tread water. Tips for beginners.

1. It is best to start training in a calm, clean reservoir without waves and with a flat bottom. Of course, a swimming pool is best suited for these purposes.

2. Do a good warm-up before you go into the water so that the muscles feel comfortable in the cool. It reduces the likelihood of sudden cramping.

3. Pay attention to your emotional state. You need to start training in a quiet mood, relaxed and focused, because the emotional state and balance have a direct connection, as well as with breathing. So don't forget to breathe deeply and slowly.

4. If you are just learning this skill, then use special swimming equipment, for example, a board, or pull buoy, the main thing is that this equipment does not sink but floats. This way you will stay on the water longer, learn to feel balance, and breathe evenly. After a short period of time training with floating equipment, give it up and start with the simplest options for movements described in this article.

5. Do not learn this skill alone. It can be dangerous. It is best to train under supervision so that you can always be helped in case of anything. If you train with a coach, then you can consider using a swim coach communicator, in order to learn faster, always be in touch with the coach, and receive full instructions and comments from them while you are swimming.

Dear friends, remember that those who do not know how to stay on the water and how to tread it properly will not be able to learn to swim, so we wish you good luck in mastering this significant skill. Be healthy!

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