By Norwegian Swimming Federation, Anders Valdar and Madelen Borgmann Kalleberg
I CAN shape my lips and control my breath to blow a ping pong ball across the water.
I DO move the ball by blowing steadily across the surface without touching it.
I KNOW that the direction and strength of my breath affect the movement of the ball.
I REACT by adjusting my breathing and head position to control the ball’s direction and speed.
I FEEL motivated and enjoy doing the task with others.
I INTERACT by taking turns, cheering on others, and helping them if needed.
The child can move the ball across a defined distance (e.g., 2–5 meters) using blowing techniques without using hands and show engagement in collaboration if in a pair or group
Shallow water where children can stand (hip-depth).
Equipment: 1 ping pong ball per child or pair.
Space: Approx. 2x2 meters per pair.
Group size: Single, Pairs, Small group
Instructor observes and supports from poolside or in the water.
1-5 minutes
Can be part of warm-up or main lesson
Water habituation
Instruction: “Try to blow your ping pong ball across the water. You are not allowed to touch it. Work alone or in pairs and see who can reach the other side first.”
Differentiation/progression: Increase distance, change water depth, or add turns and goals.
The exercise can be done by a small group of people, each having a ping pong ball placed in front of them. Everyone lowers themselves to the level of the ball, which is placed in the surface of the water and blows it as fast as possible. The person blows the ball several times until it has reached its destination.
The exercise can be done in pairs where each person blows on the ball to get it to a destination as fast as possible to win.
To improve the educational experience for the children, helpful advice would be to remind them that the ping pong ball is light and does not require much force in order to move. It is also helpful to add that while blowing the ball, moving behind it may cause extra waves, so it is better to move in the pace of the ball, rather than run.
