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Welcome to your Orca
Your Orca Swim Trainer has been designed to provide adjustable support while giving your swimmer the freedom to move, explore and learn in the water.
This guide will help you get the most from your Orca, from those first experiences in the water through to gradually reducing support as your swimmer develops.
Whether you’re a parent or swimming teacher, the key is simple: follow the swimmer, observe their movement and progress when they are ready.
Before You Get in the Water
Before using your Orca for the first time, take a moment to check the fit and make sure all 9 floats are in place.
The Orca should fit snugly and securely against the swimmer’s body without restricting their movement.
Check that:
✓ The suit sits securely against the body
✓ The shoulder straps are comfortable
✓ The Orca stays in position without excessive movement
✓ The swimmer can freely move their arms and legs
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If you’re unsure about the fit, visit our Find Your Size & Fit Guide.
Start with All 9 Floats
Every Orca contains 9 removable floats: 4 at the front and 5 at the back.
When introducing the Orca, begin with all 9 floats in place. Give your swimmer time to experience the support, move around and discover how their body responds in the water.
There is no need to rush to remove floats.
Progress should be based on what you observe in the swimmer, rather than how long they have been using the Orca.
Most teachers pick up an Orca, watch a few minutes of demo footage, and get in the pool. It works — but not the way it's meant to. Underneath the float pads is a nine-step progressive system built to be read, not just worn, and knowing the difference is what separates a teacher who owns an Orca from one who teaches with it.
The free Starter Course walks you through exactly that: what the Orca is and isn't, how to fit it properly, how to read a swimmer's readiness through the six graduation phases, and what a realistic first month looks like. Four short video lessons, four quizzes, and a certificate of completion at the end.
It's the foundation. If you want to go further — into child development, non-linear teaching, and full lesson design — it's also your first step toward the full Orca Method Certification
The Orca Graduation System
DO NOT use the straps on the back of the Orca to hold up your child - they hold your hands or you hold underneath their armpits at stage 1. The straps will eventually break if you continually do this.
DO NOT pull the suit up using the shoulder straps. You will strain the fabric too much. Step in to the suit and use either side of the float padded section to pull up.
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Take out the float pad bags to enable a quicker drying time for your suit. Lie flat to dry or hang using the shoulder straps only.
When opening the float pad pockets hold on to the velcro section not the fabric. Over time if you pull open by the fabric, it could result in the velcro strip lifting from the fabric.
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Safety notice:
The Orca Swim Trainer is not a life jacket or drowning prevention device. Use only under continuous, competent adult supervision in a controlled swimming environment. Never leave swimmers unattended in or around water.​