We are speaking here of the big boys, those large, heavy men who form a substantial portion of our clientele. Properly floated, they are not difficult to hold up, but it is hard to a) move them laterally, b) reach from the head to their knees, and c) fold them together. Here are some tips:

1. Use flotation devices. "Why can’t a man float more like a woman?" we ponder. The floats of choice are made of neoprene (wetsuit material) with Velcro strips and can be cut to different widths. They wrap around the thighs, calves, ankles or even the neck and waist to fine tune partner’s buoyancy. The "noodle", in vogue in pools everywhere, can serve as a "Third Arm" supporting under one or both knees. With either kind of float, the sensory nerves adapt in a few minutes and the receiver is no longer aware of their presence. They allow us to completely relinquish support and stroll down to the feet to massage them, for instance.

2) Move slowly so as not to strain your back.

3) Keep it simple: we don’t tire ourselves, moving out of uncomfortable positions sooner rather than later.

4) As the arm supporting the pelvis in 1st Position tires, shift it to under the knees, drawing the legs closer in, compacting the body’s mass and allowing the hips to drop comfortably down.

5) When in the folded up Accordion position described above, shift the entire body sideways so partner’s hips are in front of our navel instead of off to the side.

6) Hold the body snug whenever possible.

7) In Stillness and Undulating Spine, brace the elbow of the arm supporting the hips against your side to more directly and powerfully transmit the force from your trunk to partner..

8) Drape partner’s legs over your own legs as in the Open Saddle or Side Saddle. Easier on the back.

9) In rotations and weight shifts generate the force from your legs.

10) Cut short rotations a bit, so that in the difficult moment of direction change partner’s mass does not continue further than expected and put you in a position with your spine twisted.

11) Travel partner quickly through the water in transitions if possible. This keeps sinker legs off the bottom and sustains the lower back within an acceptable range of extension.

12) Don’t hesitate to use your own thigh in transitions to provide support.