What exactly is a “slow and controlled bob?” Developing and maintaining a correct breathing pattern is the first fundamental in teaching anyone how to properly swim. In Kids Level 1 and Adult Beginners we focus exclusively on teaching how to breathe underwater. In order to pass Level 1, your child must be able to easily perform 10 slow and controlled bobs.

A perfectly executed bob is when a swimmer takes a BIG breath in through their mouth and then submerges their head fully underwater while releasing air out their nose. The air exhaled through the nose becomes bubbles once submerged underwater. Children and those who cannot safety stand in the pool are asked to holding on to the edge of the pool with two hands to complete every rep.

At home, children can practice their bob in the bathtub. Our coaches frequently describe the exhale through the nose as “humming” underwater. The act of humming produces exhalation through the nose instead of the mouth.

What we look for is that the swimmer is able to consistently and repeatedly put their head underwater while exhaling properly through their nose, come up and take a new breath in and then do another bob exhaling through the nose again and getting the head completely submerged underwater. This is called proper air exchange.

Additionally, we want to see that anyone bobbing is confident and comfortable performing ten bobs in a row without stopping, getting distracted, or needing to adjust goggles or wipe water from their eyes/nose/mouth.

Proper air exchange relieves tension in the body and is a foundational step in developing water confidence and comfort. This becomes especially important in Level 2 when you learn how to float on the front and back, a survival skill.

If you have already mastered the “bob” check out our blog post here for important reminders on breathing for swimmers across all levels of our learn-to-swim program.