Transform your swimming with this 6-part mini-course.

Tumble turning is a great way to make your pool swimming smoother, faster & more efficient. It’s how you link one length to the next seamlessly, saving time & energy. & let’s face it, it looks pretty neat too.

Whether you’re new to tumble turning or just want to polish your technique, this step-by-step series will teach you how to master your tumble turns.

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The first step to a great tumble turn is learning the pull & roll.

Start away from the wall, lying flat in the water. Pull your arms alongside your body to create forward momentum, then tip your head down & roll your body like you’re sitting upside down. This movement lays the foundation for the rest of the turn.

Time to build on your pull & roll by swimming into it.

Start swimming front crawl, & when ready, pull one arm alongside your body to begin the roll. Tip your head down, bend at the hips, & flip your feet just as you practised in part 1. This step is all about combining the roll with your stroke for a smooth transition.

Perfect your position against the wall.

Position yourself 1.5–2m away from the wall. Roll towards it, timing your movement so your feet land about half a metre below the water’s surface. Feeling nervous about getting too close? Start further back, then gradually move closer as your confidence builds.

Learn to push off like a pro.

Once your feet are on the wall, focus on getting your body into a streamlined position. Press your arms above your head, one hand on top of the other, & push powerfully away with your legs. Glide on your back, keeping your body straight & stretched until your head breaks the surface of the water.

Add a twist to move from your back onto your front as you push off the wall.

After pushing off, spin smoothly from your back onto your front. Stay streamlined throughout the twist, holding the glide. The twister push is how you get back onto your front to continue swimming.

Bring everything you’ve learnt together into one fluid movement.

Swim towards the wall, roll, place your feet, streamline your arms, push powerfully, twist & glide. Add a few front crawl or butterfly kicks while gliding to boost your speed, then start swimming.

Tumble turning is all about practice. Every time you hit the pool, do a few tumble turns to make them smoother & faster.

Congrats, you’ve nailed the tumble turn! 🎉