How do I tread water?

Question

I tried to tread water in swim class and no matter what I did, I couldn't. I did the motions correctly and just couldn't stay up. My swim instructor passed me on this because he had to personally work with me to see what was going on. He saw I was doing the right motions and everything but just couldn't tread water. He moved me into slightly deeper water and I still couldn't do it.

Is there a reason I can't tread water? If so, what?

Can I still learn to tread water?

Answer 1

make figure 8's with your hands, and kick your legs like you are doing breastroke.  its something that you should be able to do without concentrating.  so just figure out what works, and its not about how fast you move, its getting effeciant strokes out of your arms and legs.

Answer 2

This is my description.   Always practice with someone that you trust.

Move your legs like you ride a bicycle.

Wave your hands like you are pushing the water below.

You could try arching your stomach up and floating on your back.

Remember - if you are over your head.  Drop to the bottom of the pool and kneel.  From there, jump (spring) to the top of the water.  Take a deep breath.  Repeat these step until safe or saved.

Answer 3

There is always room for improvement.  If it makes you feel any better, when I took synchronized swimming (I know, pretty lame) they make us tread water using our legs only- it was called the "egg-beater" (the legs resemble the beaters on a mixer)...I could never do it, though.  I still can't, but I also gave up trying when I was 10.  If you really want to do it, keep practicing! Good luck :)

Answer 4

Try doing a breaststroke kick and flapping your arms to stay up. I had this same problem, and this helped me.

Answer 5

thats pritty easy you need to know how to swim and float though then you get in to deep part of water and move your arems in a back and forth movement and kisk your feet in any kick but you have to be straight up and down to do it

Answer 6

Treading water is not too difficult if you do not "overthink" it.

Watch a dog swim. That type of swimming is called the 'dog paddle' for a reason, Look at how the dog moves it's legs to keep its head up.

Now do it yourself. If you can 'dog paddle', then it's not a great leap to 'dog paddle' in one place, ie, treading water.

You just kind of wave your arms in the water (don't break the surface of the water or splash) back and forth, while sort of pushing down on the water, and at the same time, you sort of kick your feet a bit to sort of propel you upwards. Keep your head up and you're treading water. It is not rocket science and humans have been doing it for thousands of years.

Even people with very little fat can easily tread water.

Just work on the dog paddle, and then dog paddle in place without moving around the pool.

Answer 7

I've never really had a problem treading water. It does help if you use your arms to help you stay up, sort of like swimming in place. Paddle your arms at the same time and see if it helps.

Answer 8

i have no idea. can you swim? treading is just swimming in place.

Answer 9

in like, level 3 or something,

you learn the peanut & jelly

technique. you know, moving

your hands side by side

(cupping the water) like

you're spreading jelly in the

water. it'll help you float better.

also, squeeze the water between

your legs while you tread water,

to push yourself up. practice

makes perfect! : )

Answer 10

move your legs as if you are on a bicycle, and your arms as if you are a bird.