How to become A Swimming Instructor

Before your students attempt the complex butterfly stroke, you may need to help some of them calm the butterflies in their stomachs. As a Swimming Instructor, it is all a part of your job to ensure that your swimmers feel strong, capable and confident, physically and psychologically, learning the proper techniques and strokes along with the safety, survival and rescue protocols you are trained to teach. It is a life skill you foster in your community. The earlier, the better. After all, a stitch in time saves nine.

• Swimming Teacher
• Swimming Coach
• Swim Instructor
• Swim Coach
• Swim Teacher

What do Swimming Instructors do?

A Swimming Instructor would typically need to:

• Teach swimming, basic strokes and water safety to toddlers, children, teenagers and adults at different skill levels, including competitive sports, and in both individual and group settings 
• Coach youngsters in intermediate and advanced swimming lessons
• Conduct water aerobics classes for adults and the elderly
• Hire other coaching staff; carry out teacher training as needed; develop and implement instruction plans based on the abilities and needs of students
• Familiarise individuals with being in water; teach them the principles of movement in water; assist them in developing buoyancy and mobility and learning correct and efficient strokes and safe diving 
• Observe learners while they are taking swimming lessons to evaluate their performance and modify overall learning plans if necessary
• Teach fundamental aquatic survival and rescue skills and techniques through various methods, including water safety programs
• Safeguard students by enforcing water conduct regulations in and around swimming pools
• Closely monitor swimmers' technique and training loads; work towards accident and injury prevention
• Perform CPR if necessary and save students from drowning
• Educate students on the proper use of flotation devices such as kickboards and life jackets, and other swimming equipment
• Assure the functionality of pool equipment by maintaining and inspecting it and recommending repairs as necessary
• Interact with parents to discuss their child's development
• Oversee swimming facilities, ensuring the cleanliness of the changing rooms, the pool and the surrounding areas
• Establish dietary guidelines to improve swimmers’ performance and recovery
• Attend all required training sessions and meetings for your swimming association
• Address “queries” presented by students, parents and other customers or refer them to relevant senior employees for resolution
• Perform water safety drills, such as evacuations, to prepare for response to natural disasters
• Carry out other jobs as tasked by the supervisor

Swimming Instructors work in diverse settings, outdoors and indoors, teaching children and adults. When working outdoors, they are subject to the possibility of sunstroke and sunburn. Indoor pool conditions are warm and humid. While you spend most of your time at the pool, you may not necessarily be in the water. The number of students in a class may vary significantly since some instructors only teach a few students at a time, while others may instruct as many as twenty. All instructors must speak loudly to ensure their students hear them while in the water. 

The work can be demanding physically during lessons and mentally stressful during swimming competitions, which you are expected to attend to support and guide your students. You must be patient and empathetic with all your students and genuinely enjoy interacting with your students, particularly children. Use your sense of humour to make each lesson engaging and fun.

Your work may take you across the country or even overseas. Depending on where you work, your employers may require you to wear a uniform.

Swimming Instructors may work in full- or part-time jobs. You may work around the year if you teach at an indoor pool but seasonally, typically during summer, if you work at an outdoor pool.

Your work hours could be fixed, depending on your job, location and students. Or you may work odd and irregular hours, early morning or late evening, and on weekends and holidays, to accommodate the academic or work schedules of your students and maximise your clientele. You may need to put in long hours when you accompany your students to swim meets and stay away from home for extended periods. High-level Swimming Instructors also frequently work long hours.

Teaching swimming part-time or as a freelancer is typically flexible, and you may adjust timings to suit your other commitments. It suits students, parents with children, retirees and those seeking a supplementary source of income.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Swimming Instructors can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, directly contacting establishments with competitive swim teams, such as educational institutions, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Swimming Instructors are generally employed by:

• City Pools
• Private Swimming Clubs
• Health Centres
• Health Clubs
• Summer Camps
• Schools & Colleges
• Water Parks
• Gyms
• Fitness- and Education-based Organisations
• Community Recreation Centres
• Youth Organisations
• Leisure Centres
• Holiday Resorts
• Cruise Ships

Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Swim Coaches Association (ISCA) and the World Swimming Coaches Association (WSCA), are crucial for Swimming Instructors interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Attending to emergencies and performing CPR when needed; ensuring water safety of students at all times
• Risk of sunburn or sunstroke as a result of continuous heat exposure while working at outdoor pools; may need to spend summers outdoors in an unpleasant environment
• Feeling intimidated by parents' continuous supervision throughout the session, which may cause a lack of focus 
• Tackling children’s behavioural issues
• Keeping a close watch on young swimmers throughout sessions since children who are unable to swim may face a greater risk of drowning
• Shouting instructions to swimmers in the water; being vocal at all times
• Maintaining students' motivation; making learning more enjoyable 
• Travelling frequently to attend events; spending time away from home supporting students at tournaments 
• Working irregular hours and on weekends and holidays to accommodate clients' schedules; poor work-life balance
• Disappointment with students who may miss sessions or cancel with little or no notice; excuses made by students for their inability to practise

Any academic program that a potential Swimming Instructor takes up typically requires a period of supervised experience, such as an internship.

Most Swimming Instructors start as student-athletes learning one or more sports and acquiring experience by competing in sports meets. However, if teaching young students, they may also need prior experience working with children, for instance, as camp counsellors.

You may join a swimming organisation to gain the requisite experience after completing the necessary training and getting certified. You may also volunteer in a swimming group to sharpen your instructional abilities.

While the minimum academic qualification for aspiring Swimming Instructors is a high school diploma or equivalent, you must also complete required and recognised courses in swimming instruction, water safety and first aid. Courses in advanced lifesaving typically cover artificial respiration and rescue procedures. 

To deliver successful and high-quality swimming and water safety lessons as part of the curriculum, school teachers and other adults who already share a relationship of trust and confidence with their students would do well to receive training, support and resources.

Acquiring qualifications that are recognised internationally will help you in finding employment overseas.

Although not mandatory, an associate or bachelor's degree in exercise and sports science, nutrition or sports medicine can demonstrate your passion and commitment to potential employers, enable you to diversify your services and improve your teaching abilities, and boost your prospects of working with accomplished athletes. A degree in early childhood education could benefit your career by teaching you the most effective ways to teach young swimmers. You could also work as a teacher and swim team coach with this degree.

If you wish to work in the fitness industry, a degree in exercise science, kinesiology, or physical education might be helpful. Those aiming to teach swimming in colleges may require advanced degrees in physical education.

Certification demonstrates a Swimming Instructor's competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. When acquired from an objective and reputed organisation, it can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent, increase your chances of advancement, and become an independent consultant. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Certification in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), first aid and AED (automatic external defibrillation) is typically mandatory for Swimming Instructors. It enables you to step in during emergencies and save lives. CPR must be performed if an individual suffers cardiac arrest and experiences breathing problems. On the other hand, first aid is aimed at helping the injured. An AED is also carried out in instances of sudden cardiac arrest.

Swimming Instructors aiming to teach in schools must typically be certified physical education teachers.

Employers in some locations require candidates to possess various levels of American Red Cross certification, depending on their career objectives, the work and the students involved. You may complete the Basic Swim Instructor (BSI) training program that exempts you from having to master advanced swimming techniques, including butterfly, backstroke and diving. 

Preventing injuries and severe incidents in or near water is one of the primary responsibilities of Swimming Instructors. The up-to-date and science-based aquatics and water safety certification programs, including Lifeguarding, Water Safety Instructor (or WSI, a gold standard in the industry), Safety Training for Swim Coaches, and Basic Water Rescue, help you stay safe while you work on, in or near water. They impart knowledge about water safety and equip you with the skills to teach others about it and assist them during a crisis. The Red Cross Lifeguard certifications help individuals build relevant abilities they can use for the rest of their lives. 

SSI (Swim Schools International) certification is another avenue for earning your credentials as a Swimming Instructor, adding diversity and flexibility to your career. You can choose the relevant course, pass an exam and any skill tests and earn your certification. You may also 

You may add the NAUI Instructor Training Course (ITC) to your portfolio to expand your skills and employment opportunities. The course is designed to train and certify potential NAUI Instructor members and teaches them efficient ways of instructing students in skin and scuba diving. The certification process for NAUI instructors ensures that candidates have the necessary knowledge, abilities, physical fitness and attitude.

Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires passing an examination after meeting eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or completing an internship, residency, or apprenticeship. Check with local or national swim clubs, educational institutions and fitness organisations whether and what kind of licensure you need.

Swimming Coaches may also need to undergo an employment background check including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high-performance levels may be eligible for promotion every two to three years. Advancement will likely result in new challenges and responsibilities accompanied by greater repute and sizable paychecks.

Swimming Instructors employed at colleges, public swimming facilities, private swim clubs and youth organisations may advance to become Pool Operators.

At a summer camp, a Swimming Instructor could advance to the role of Waterfront Director. If you work for city recreation departments, you may become Recreation Director with the mandatory degree in addition to extended training and experience.

If you have the requisite experience and skills, you could also become a Swimming Coordinator or Lead Swimming Instructor, in charge of appraising the calibre of other Swimming Instructors.

You could also rise to hold positions such as the Head/Senior Coach of a sports club, work with regional or national teams, or diversify into sports development or working with youth. Some Swimming Instructors may transition to coaching professional athletes.

With adequate expertise and essential business skills, you may launch your swimming club or school. However, keep in mind that an entrepreneurial venture calls for sound business judgement, a significant sum of money to cover start-up costs and a track record of competence in the industry.

Candidates with the necessary skills, education, certification and experience have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Swimming Instructor build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge.

You will likely receive on-the-job training that teaches you about safety protocols, the pool’s layout and equipment, the schedules and lesson plans. Training new employees improves organisational efficiency by ensuring a uniform methodology and a shared vision. To gain the confidence to work independently, trainees often spend time working under the close observation of an experienced instructor.

Development avenues include taking specialised or advanced courses to increase your chances of competitive coaching and working with renowned athletes. Such courses teach you how to recognise and optimise each athlete's potential by creating and implementing training plans tailored to their specific needs. You also learn how to foster each swimmer’s physical and psychological fitness, thereby boosting their performance, cultivating their sense of sportsmanship and competitive spirit, and inspiring a lifelong passion for the sport. 

Earning your coaching certification to become a qualified Swimming Instructor will allow you to teach swim teams at recreational and high school or collegiate competitive levels. By acquiring additional certification, you may expand the scope of your career. For instance, lifeguard certification could lead to employment at pools and beaches requiring lifeguards' presence. Certification as a water safety instructor is an additional route to job advancement and enables you to impart water safety knowledge and skills across all age groups.

For Swimming Instructors to successfully further their careers, they should build not only a comprehensive understanding of swimming but also excellent interpersonal skills, for which behaviour modelling is a valuable tool. They must first grasp the learning processes of their swimmers and then use the most suitable and efficient ways to instruct them. 

You may also learn a foreign language or sign language and understand the special needs of autistic children to allow your instruction to include a wider audience that may need specialised and different communication and teaching methodologies.

What are Some Crucial Skills for Swimming Instructors?

• Communication: Clarity of instructions while teaching their students to swim makes for productive lessons, and constructive feedback can help them progress in the right direction. Swimming Instructors must also communicate effectively with their supervisors, colleagues and young students’ parents
• Leadership: As a skilful leader, you can not only teach your students how to swim but successfully encourage them to attempt new things, set higher goals and work together to achieve them.
• Teaching skills: You need to be proficient in a variety of teaching techniques, such as the ability to clearly express difficult concepts. Another aspect of your job entails creating interesting and intriguing lesson plans and activities to keep learners interested.
• Physical fitness: Your fitness level can inspire your students to set and achieve their physical fitness targets. Share your goals with them. 
• Water safety knowledge: An essential skill, water safety knowledge helps you teach your students how to stay safe in the water or around it and how to respond in emergencies such as drowning. Swimming entails hazards, and it is your responsibility to identify them and take the required precautions and actions to guarantee your students’ safety at all times.

Trends to Keep Pace With

• Attention to Special Needs: Gear up to teach children with varying and special needs and enable parents to support their children’s learning. 
• Increased Attention on Aquatic Safety: Given that one of the purposes of teaching swimming is to inculcate a life skill oriented to saving lives, aquatic safety is critical, particularly in schools and swim clubs where students of varying abilities are present in the pools. Make sure to equip your students with safety skills, including CPR and first aid.
• Growing Number of Private Lessons: With parents finding school instruction in swimming inadequate, there is a growing demand for private lessons, which you can take advantage of. You may offer families additional training or specialised instruction to students in competitive swimming or stroke correction.

The Components of Water Competency

Anticipating, avoiding and surviving typical drowning occurrences, recognising when others need help and being capable of providing it, exercising water safety awareness and being equipped with at least basic swimming skills at all times constitute water competency. In short, water smarts, swimming skills and helping others are key components of water competency.

The importance of water competency is highlighted by drowning being a major cause of accidental death. It is a swift and silent injury and, therefore, rescue should be quick as the person drowning can disappear from sight in seconds. The goal is to make sure the person can breathe and avoid brain damage. The risk of drowning is greater for weak or non-swimmers who may stumble and lose their footing when they cannot touch the bottom. Proper planning and alertness are critical to prevent such situations.

Swimming expertise is not a foolproof guarantee against drowning although the risk is much less than for poor swimmers. One must be thorough with safety and rescue protocols before entering the water. Drownings may happen due to unexpectedly falling into the water or overestimation of one’s or one’s children’s abilities and water competency. Children require constant and direct supervision. Common hazards include unfamiliar or dangerous waters, medical emergencies, alcohol or drug use, or other risky situations.

Some Pool Equipment Swimming Instructors Use

• Kickboards 
• Pull-Buoys 
• Swim Belts 
• Swim Paddles 
• Pool Mirrors

Swimming Skills

• Proper breathing
• Gliding with your face in the water
• Coordinating various body parts
• Strokes/swimming techniques
• Diving

Swimming Strokes

• Freestyle/Front Stroke
• Backstroke
• Breaststroke
• Butterfly
• Sidestroke
• Elementary Backstroke
• Combat Sidestroke
• Trudgen

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Swimming Instructors have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

On the other hand, a full-time Swimming Instructor has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Eating more carbs will not necessarily improve your swimming performance. Go for a balanced diet instead. You can also safely swim after eating unless you feel sick or have indigestion.

Swimming is called a life skill for many good reasons. It can save life, foster confidence and improve health, and it is fun. Taking swimming lessons can prevent many instances of drowning. For a child to be able to tread water and return to the surface or swim to something they can grab onto, they do not need to be experts at butterfly stroke or flip turns but know at least the basics of swimming. Training children from a young age is crucial, and a career as a Swimming Instructor will enable you to have a positive impact on community wellbeing.

Having wide-ranging skills will increase your employability and provide you with the flexibility to handle any situation. A high-calibre Swimming Instructor is trained in and knows several aspects of swimming, including adult and child development, aquafit, disability education, school swimming and possibly even mini polo.