Have you ever wondered why one person can lie back and float almost effortlessly, while someone else sinks the moment they stop moving?

Hi, Mark here. Hope all is well.

For beginners, this can be incredibly frustrating. It is easy to assume that you are doing something wrong - or that you simply “can’t float”.

But floating isn’t a test of swimming ability.

Body composition, lung capacity and the way we position ourselves in the water all affect buoyancy. Some people naturally float higher than others, while some may never remain completely still at the surface.

The good news is that technique can make a huge difference.

This week, I have something useful for both swimming teachers and anyone learning to swim.

For Swimming Teachers

Floating is often a turning point in a beginner’s confidence.

Teach it too quickly and a nervous swimmer may tense up, hold their head rigidly and fight the water. Break it down into manageable steps and you can help them discover that the water is capable of supporting them.

My ready-to-use Floating and Gliding lesson plans include:

• Clear, step-by-step progressions
• Simple confidence-building exercises
• Activities for floating, balance and streamlined movement
• Easy ways to adapt the lesson for different abilities

They will help you deliver a calm, structured session—and give your swimmers the best possible chance of experiencing that wonderful “I can do it!” moment.

Want more ready-made sessions you can use straight away?
​Explore the full collection of Swimming Lesson Plans

Build yourself a complete, stress-free teaching toolkit for the term ahead.

For Beginners and Swimmers

If your legs sink - or your whole body seems determined to head towards the bottom - you are not necessarily getting it wrong.

Some bodies are simply more buoyant than others.

In my guide, Why We Sink (And How to Float), I explain the science in plain English and show you how breathing, relaxation and body position can all help.

You’ll discover:

• Why some people float more easily than others
• Why lifting your head can make your legs sink
• How tension makes floating more difficult
• Simple exercises to help you feel supported by the water

You may not float in exactly the same way as the person beside you - and that’s perfectly normal. The real goal is to understand your own buoyancy and learn how to work with the water instead of fighting it.

Whether you teach beginners or you are one yourself, understanding buoyancy can transform those first experiences in the water.

Happy swimming,​
Mark
​Swim Teach

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