Outdoor swimming: Grade 7
Cold-water swimming in the school curriculum
We welcome Grade 7 pupils, teachers and assistants to Svøm Tromsø sessions introducing cold-water swimming and self-rescue.
Building on indoor lessons with Svøm Tromsø, Tromsø municipality uses Tromsøbadet instructors to support the outdoor swimming learning objectives. The programme first ran in August 2024.
Grade 7 outdoor swimming learning objectives
Pupils are introduced to outdoor swimming, assess safety and practise self-rescue in cold water.
Day 1 lesson plan
- Theory: Preparing for an unexpected fall into cold water (30 minutes).
- Practice: A maximum of five minutes in cold water per pupil, within a 30-minute group session.
Day 2 lesson plan
- Theory: Two groups practise cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using a rescue line (30 minutes).
- Practice: A maximum of five minutes in cold water per pupil, within a 30-minute group session.
Groups and instructors
- Tromsøbadet provides swimming expertise for Svøm Tromsø and the schools. Two instructors supervise pupils in the water activity area, with one instructor in the dry area.
- The school provides at least one teacher in the water activity area and one teacher or assistant in the dry area.
- Schools divide pupils into a girls’ group and a boys’ group to organise changing before and after the activity.
- Pupils take turns in the water activity and dry activity groups at Telegrafbukta. Before arrival, pupils must know their assigned group. The transport plan shows the timetable for each group.
Practical information for Grade 7 outdoor swimming in Tromsø
Changing and toilet facilities
- Changing facilities: A mobile changing room is available immediately west of the red boathouse by the jetty. Pupils can change on arrival, but where possible should arrive wearing the clothes they will use in the water.
- Toilets: Public toilets at Telegrafbukta are available.
Clothing and equipment to bring
- Ordinary clothing: Pupils are advised to wear ordinary clothes, such as a thin jumper and leggings or jogging trousers, to make the exercise more realistic for an unexpected fall into water.
- Optional wetsuit: Pupils may wear a wetsuit if they bring their own.
- Sandals or shoes: Sandals or shoes are recommended, including in the water, although they are not compulsory in the water. The area is used by many people, and there may be broken glass or other objects underfoot.
- Towel
- Wool base layers and socks: Change into dry, warm clothes after the session. Wool base layers and wool socks are recommended.
Other practical information
Slippery surfaces The steps into the water and the rocks along the shore can be slippery.
The school’s and teachers’ responsibilities
- The school must provide at least two teachers: one in the water activity area and one in the dry area.
- The teacher is expected to enter the water with pupils and provide a positive example to help make the lesson constructive and enjoyable.
- Teachers retain formal overall responsibility for pupils’ safety during outdoor swimming and must be ready to assist Tromsøbadet instructors if an unexpected situation arises.
Lifesaving assessments for teachers and assistants
All teachers and assistants participating in school swimming at Tromsøbadet must hold an approved lifesaving assessment beforehand. Contact your school to register.
Short courses for teachers
Tromsøbadet offers short courses for teachers and assistants involved in swimming lessons, covering the activities and swimming techniques taught to pupils. Contact your school to register.
How the programme began
- Tromsøbadet and Svøm Tromsø first ran outdoor swimming lessons in cold seawater in August–September 2024.
- Grade 7 lessons began on 20 August 2024.
- On the first day, Tromsø Fire and Rescue demonstrated a surface rescue involving the simulated rescue of a teacher.