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How to Float. Definitive Step-By-Step Guide That Works.

Danila Novikov
All- American swimmer owner of Danswim
I am a professional swim coach that transforms beginners into advanced swimmers. In this guide, I guarantee to teach you one of the most basic swimming techniques: FLOATING.

You'll learn:
  1. How to start floating
  2. How to prevent sinking
  3. Correct body position in the water
  4. And more

If you're tired of your legs sinking and just want to float, this guide is for you.

Let's get right into it!

Learn How to Float in 6 Easy Steps

Want to become a better swimmer? Start by mastering the art of floating! This how to float step-by-step guide for beginner swimmers will provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to float with ease.
1
Ensure the correct position in the water before starting the float.
2
Inhale before beginning your float.
3
Initiate the float the right way.
4
Properly align yourself in the water.
5
Move through the water.
6
Know how to end your float correctly.

Basic Swimming Techniques: Floating

The ability to float in the water is natural for human beings. Yet, most people struggle to figure it out on their own. In order to float naturally, you need to understand the physics of how it works.

Science is here to help us in the water. As we all know, gravity keeps us grounded on land, and that's why sports like running are intuitively easy for us. Just put on the shoes, move your legs, and breathe. But in the swimming pool, things are not so simple.
floating

Secrets Of Floating Science in the Swimming Pool

Here is a secret for all beginners swimmers out there: unlike other land activities, in the pool, we pull. That's called buoyancy. The buoyancy allows us to float and glide effortlessly in the water.

The common mistake I see during swimming lessons is most people are just too tense. You need to trust yourself and your body and stop fighting the water to avoid sinking.

Before we start with the swimming exercises, acknowledge the following:

  1. You'll start at the shallow end, so there's nothing to be scared of.
  2. Floating is not rocket science. If other people can float in water, you can too.
  3. If you gave my guide a fair shot but still couldn't figure out a correct body position, reach out for help.

But all you need to do is let your body relax, take a deep breath, and let the water's surface become your best friend.

Now, let's start floating.

How to Float Higher And Not Sink: Step-By-Step Guide (Easy)

You can't swim if you don't know how to float. With that being said, you NEED to learn how to FLOAT if you want to SWIM.

Once you practice and master floating to perfection, your possibilities in the water will be endless! If you are excited to break the cycle of trying and failing, follow the next steps.

Step 1. Ensure the correct position in the swimming pool before starting the float.

    Get one leg in front of another as if you were about to start a race. Make sure that your chest is in the water and your arms are extending in front, staying slightly below the surface.
      how to float

      Step 2. Inhale before beginning your float.

        Take a big inhale with your mouth and hold it. Filling your lungs with air will ensure a better position inside the water and make your body more buoyant.
          oxygen circulating

          Step 3. Initiate the float the right way.

            Slowly lean over into the water with your upper body until your head is underwater.

            Your feet should push off the bottom, slowly lifting hips and legs to the same level as your upper body.

            Keep your arms straight in front and relaxed while floating. Make sure to tuck your chin to your chest while looking straight down toward the bottom of the pool.
              float in water

              Step 4. Properly align yourself in the water.

                Hold your breath inside your lungs. The more oxygen, the better. Remember: it helps you not to sink.

                Keep your muscles and joints relaxed while floating in the water. Keep your arms under the water and hands together close to your ears.

                Ensure your upper and lower body are aligned well: your arms, head, rib cage, hips, and legs should be on the same level. Keep your legs close to each other, and don't bend your knees while floating in the water because that will make you sink.
                  float on stomach

                  Step 5. Move through the water.

                  Our level of buoyancy varies, with some able to float easily near the surface area while others may struggle with the right position to float in water. I have a few tips for the second group of people.

                  Consider propelling your body through the water by maintaining the floating position and adding a few small movements.

                  Using a combination of pulling and kicking with your legs will help you to stay up on the surface area.
                  how to float in swimming
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                  Visit us here and check out our beginners guide to learn how to float in water, it is one of the most important concepts when it comes to swimming.
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                  Visit us here and check out our beginners guide to learn how to float in water, it is one of the most important concepts when it comes to swimming.

                  Step 6. Practice ending your float without sinking.

                    1. Bend your knees and push them towards the stomach.

                    2. Do not get your face out of the water before you feel the bottom of the pool with your feet.

                    3. Push your arms against the water until they reach your hips, so your feet can reach the bottom faster.

                    4. When you are ready to get your head out of the water, breathe out. Once you're up, get a breath of fresh air in and relax.

                    Get comfortable making those small movements together until floating becomes natural to you.
                      how to get up from floating position

                      Perfect Your Float in Water With This Drill:

                      1. Come closer to the pool wall. Take a deep breath and glide towards it.

                      2. Instead of stopping the float when you reach the wall, practice pushing yourself against the wall to glide backward.

                      3. Glide backward for a bit until you feel you are about to sink. Bend your knees and push your arms down to stop the glide. Make sure to tuck your chin down to your chest and maintain the streamlined position.

                      4. End your float whenever you are ready.

                      Other Factors That Influence Your Ability To Float In Water

                      Factor #1 - Your body type. This is pretty much the anatomy of your body. Body composition characteristics like muscle and bone structure, body fat percentage, and lungs capacity will influence your ability to float.

                      It doesn't mean there's a wrong body type for learning how to float. Everyone can master this skill, but individual anatomy is what makes it easier for some people and harder for others.

                      Factor #2 - Water characteristics. Have you ever noticed that it's easier to float on the surface in salt water? That's because seawater is denser than the human body. The properties of the water influence buoyancy.

                      On the other side, it would harder to float on the surface of the water when it's wavy. So, sometimes, it's really not about you. Just take a few deep breaths and keep practicing.
                      Check out the article about the most common mistakes beginners make while learning to float. It's a comprehensive guide full of swimming tips to help you float effortlessly like a seal from La Jolla Beach.


                      Once you learn how to float in the water with your face in, move on and learn how to swim on your back with this how to float on back step-to-step guide. Floating on your back might be the most chill swim you will ever learn. This knowledge might stay with you for the rest of your life. So, proceed with caution and learn the most chill swim at your own risk.
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                      Mistakes to Avoid When Floating | Dan Swim
                      Learn the mistakes to avoid when floating Much like our beginners' guide to learn to float this article will focus on things to avoid when floating.
                      How to float on back step-by-step guide | Danswim Blog
                      Whether you're a beginner or just looking to improve your back floating skills, our guide covers everything you need to know. Follow along and soon you'll be effortlessly floating on your back.

                      Take a Deep Breath, And Keep Going...

                      Whether you're a beginner or just looking to improve your back-floating skills, our guide covers everything you need to know. Follow along, and soon you'll be effortlessly floating on your back.

                      Everyone has a different way and pace of learning to swim. Keep going even if something doesn't work right away. Be consistent and patient. Swimming is not precise since, like, math or chemistry. Feel free to add some tweaks to help you feel comfortable in the water.

                      Looking to step up your swimming skills? We can assist you if you're located in or planning to visit NYC. Our swim lessons in New York are available to individuals of all ages and skill levels.

                      Follow the link to Danswim Online Swim School and get a FREE consultation! Fill out the form and attach a video of your swimming stroke, and I'll give you personalized tips and tricks to help improve your technique. Take advantage of this opportunity- it's 100% free! We have an abundance of helpful resources at your fingertips. Dive into the Danswim Blog for expert tips and insights.

                      Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for helpful tips and swimming insights. Master the art of swimming with our engaging YouTube content.

                      Want to learn prone swimming position?
                      Prone Float Step-To-Step Guide | Danswim Blog
                      Learning how to float is crucial for beginner swimmers. Learn how to prone float with this step-to-step guide from Danswim Blog.