Its importance as a transportation artery in the 1700s and 1800s is well known, and remnants of the aqueducts, canal, locks, and tow paths that facilitated this use can still be seen today. The headwaters of the Rivanna lie in the foothills and mountains west of Charlottesville, actually reaching the Eastern border of Shenandoah National Park.

It’s an appropriate moniker for one of Virginia’s prettiest small rivers that has a regal history, including the honor of being the State’s first governmentally-designated Scenic River. With this skill mastered, you will hugely increase your level of safety in the water.The Rivanna, which is an abbreviation for “River Anna”, was named after the Queen of England. Start with ten seconds, then gradually build up to a minute. You should be able to keep this treading water going for longer periods each time. When you are ready, put aside the floatation aid and combine the arm movement skulling, along with the circular breast stroke movement legs. Hold a floatation device (such as a kick board) to practice the leg movement away from the wall, but still close enough that you can hold the wall if you need to.

Repeat this cycle while holding the pool edge, until you feel comfortable with the movement.

Bring your heels back together, back into the straight leg first position, ready to begin the cycle again.

Still with your toes pointed outwards, kick your legs downwards and to the sides, as if you were going to stand on the bottom of the pool with your legs apart.

Keeping your heels together, bend your knees up and out to raise your heels up towards your body.

Put your legs together straight, with your heels touching, knees together and toes pointed outwards, like a ballet dancer.

Holding on to the side of the pool once again and with your legs vertically below you, learn the a circular kick motion that is less exhausting, but slightly more difficult to master than the flutter kick. This kick motion can become exhausting quite quickly, so it is useful to learn the second kick technique that can keep you afloat for longer. At first, you can use a floatation device to help you. Staying close to the wall, let go and practise the arms and legs together. Do not bend your knees, but keep your legs flexible and relaxed and with pointed toes. Kick your legs in a scissor motion, known as the flutter kick. Keep your body vertical, with your legs below you. Move to deeper water where your feet cannot touch the bottom, but remain holding onto the side of the pool. This will push the water around you from the force of your forearms. Keep your wrists still throughout the motion and tilt your palms away from your body on the outward stroke and back towards your body on the inward stroke.

The arm moment known as “skulling” involves sweeping your forearms back and forth, moving outwards from and back towards your body. Arms are just as important as legs for treading water. Practice the arm movement while standing in shallow water.

The soon given once again afloat