Route Finder

Coach notes Coaches only

• On deck: lay out a grid of cones (3×3 to 5×5). Swimmers walk routes from A to B and call out each new one. Add kickboards as obstacles.
• In the shallow end: use noodles and kickboards as obstacles between two lane ropes. Swimmers must find a new way round each time you move one.
• Talk it through: ask "How do you know you've found them all?" Swimmers who start being systematic (all the routes that start one way, then all the routes that start the other way) are building the planning skill we want.
• Costs = conditions: in Stage 3, blue squares are current (costs more energy) and green squares are drafting (costs less). The shortest line isn't always the fastest.
• Stage 4 · Arrow currents: the same square is cheap or expensive depending on your direction. Ask "Which way is the water moving?" before planning. In open water: use the current along the course, cross it at an angle.
• Stage 5 · Pack swimming: swimming into the square a swimmer is just leaving (on their feet) costs 1. Swimmers have to time their entry to get on someone's feet. Talk about when drafting is worth the extra distance.
• Stage 6 · Waves & boats: fewest moves, and treading water counts as a move. The best swimmers look ahead two or three moves rather than reacting.
• Stage 7 · Buoys: each buoy must be rounded on the side of its numbered turn point, in order. Missing one means the swim doesn't count, just like a DQ.
• Stage 8 · Big water & fog: on fog levels swimmers only see 2 squares around them, like sighting in chop. B and the buoys stay visible. Stars are more forgiving here (within 30% for 2 stars).
• Stars and time: 2 stars unlocks the next level, 3 stars is the best possible route. Use the time to set challenges: "Who can get 3 stars on Level 14 fastest?"
• Coach logins have every level unlocked for demonstrating.