Gopher Kickboards

Made of durable yet soft EVA foam, these kickboards provide floating support to swimmers of all levels improve on their skills! They are great to use as pool exercise equipment for swimmers to strengthen their leg muscles and ensure proper form. Kickboards are available in two sizes to accommodate all ages. Choose from Junior (14-1/2"L x 10"W) or Full-Size (16-1/2"L x 12"W). Colors may vary.

15 Creative Activities Using Gopher Kickboards

The Gopher Kickboards are high-quality, durable kickboards designed for swimmers of all ages and skill levels. Built with textured grips and a dense foam core, these kickboards offer superior buoyancy and stability, making them ideal for practicing kicking techniques, stroke drills, and water-based games. Their non-slip design ensures students stay focused on skill development rather than equipment issues. The following 15 activity ideas use Gopher Kickboards in fun and inventive ways to teach fundamental movement skills including balance, kicking, coordination, body control, and agility in the water.

1. Kick-Off Countdown: Students kick from one side of the pool to the other using the board while counting down aloud from 20. Promotes kicking endurance and breath control.

2. Glide and Guide Relay: Teams use kickboards to glide across the pool using only leg power. Partners cheer and guide from the edge. Enhances lower-body strength and teamwork.

3. Kickboard Curl Relay: Students hold the kickboard to their chest and curl into a ball while kicking across the pool. Encourages compact movement and float control.

4. Paddle Partner Push: Students work in pairs—one holds the board while the other pushes them across the water using kicks. Builds collaboration and strength.

5. Silent Swim Slide: Students kickboard across the pool in complete silence, focusing on smooth, controlled movements. Trains mindfulness and movement precision.

6. Color Kick Challenge: Assign colors to lanes. Students must kick to the color called out by the instructor. Builds listening skills and directional awareness.

7. Board Balance Battle: Students kneel or squat on their kickboards in shallow water and try to balance. Develops core stability and dynamic balance.

8. Synchronized Swim Slide: Students form groups of 2-3 and attempt to kick across the pool in perfect unison using kickboards. Promotes timing and group coordination.

9. Gator Glide Game: Students lie flat with their chest on the board and kick with their heads up like alligators. Builds strength and water-level awareness.

10. Dive and Deliver: Place dive rings on the bottom of the pool. Students dive, retrieve, and deliver them on the board while kicking back. Combines diving, retrieval, and manipulation.

11. Wave Maker Races: Students try to create the biggest splash wave while kicking with the board. Builds fun into power development.

12. Deep-End Delivery: Students start in the shallow end and must deliver a floating toy or ball to the deep end using only their kickboard. Encourages goal-directed swimming.

13. Starfish Push & Glide: Students push off the wall with a kickboard and try to hold a starfish position as they glide. Develops posture, balance, and propulsion control.

14. Obstacle Kick Crawl: Place foam pool noodles across the pool that students must crawl under while holding their kickboard. Trains ducking, directional changes, and crawling movements.

15. Kick to the Beat: Play music and have students kick in rhythm to the beat with their boards. Pause the music for them to freeze. Encourages rhythm, listening, and self-regulation.