Becoming a swimming teacher

Loretta

"I love teaching a life skill which helps so many young people and adults, knowing that it will make a real difference to their lives. Everyday is very unique, as there is always a new challenge, finding new ways to help to improve their swimming abilities which is always fun and rewarding.

I learnt to swim when I was 4 years old. We didn’t have access to a swimming pool but my mother taught me in open water. Although, I was an athlete in 400m hurdles, I always came back to the water because I enjoyed swimming that much. Later in my life, I became a physical education Instructor at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.  During that time, I came to know so many students who were unable to swim and that’s where I thought my talents would be put to best use. I started teaching them how to swim. Ever since, I haven’t looked back and never stopped helping young people, teaching this life saving skill.

When my kids were young, I didn’t want to have a 9 to 5 job and never enjoyed sitting in an office. I have always been an outdoor person. My passion for cricket fitted in with my family life and I became a Cricket Coach, working with schools during school hours. At the same time I joined Places Leisure swim team to teach school children during the day.  Most of the swimming teaching hours are in the evenings and weekends, this flexibility allows me to fit my work hours around my family life and other commitments. This is one of the best decisions I have made as I enjoy a career and family life at the same time." 

Steph

Steph has turned swimming teaching into a career.  She has always been in the water, swam competitively when she was younger and then took part in lifesaving competitions and became Surrey Junior Lifesaving Champion one year. 

Steph started working at our Leisure Centres as a lifeguard in 1993 whilst still in school.  She progressed to swim teacher in order to share her skills and knowledge, as swimming had been such a huge part of her life. 

Steph says “My favourite groups to teach are the Pre School-Ducklings and Stage 1's.  Giving them the confidence to try new skills and seeing the pleasure when they master it - even something simple as blowing bubbles or putting their face in the water for the first time”.

In addition to teaching, Steph is also one of our Swim Co-ordinators who looks at growing and developing our lesson programmes, ensuring that as many people as possible in our communities have access to this lifesaving skill.

Emily

“At around 14 years old, I started volunteering as an assistant for the swimming lessons run by my swimming club. After competing and training with the club for several years, I instantly fell in love with the teaching side of things. It was extremely rewarding to use my swimming experience to help the next generation of club swimmers and see them develop week by week - I was amazed at the difference I could make. So, as soon as I was old enough, I completed my ASA Level 1 & 2 Swimming Teacher qualifications and started swim teaching at a couple of local leisure centres. Despite attending college and university, I still made time to swim teach, as it was a fun and rewarding break from studying, where I could be in my swimming element!

Being a swimming teacher has so much variety, and I've always enjoyed interacting with such a range of ages and abilities. I've been fortunate to teach pre-schoolers, stages 1-10, rookies, schools and adult lessons, each with their own development needs, requiring constant adaption. But no matter the class, the best thing about being a swimming teacher is that it is so rewarding seeing the swimmer’s progression. Even now, with a full-time role in marketing, I still swim teach in my spare time. It's something I love and could never give up.”

Kelly

"Hi my name is Kelly Lane and I have been a swim teacher for 28 years.  I first became a swim teacher through my local swim club and was asked to help out with the younger swimmers.  This then lead me to take my assistant swim teacher qualification. I stayed an assistant for many years as I only worked 1 day a week at the weekend as my full time job was a nursery nurse.

Eventually I was enjoying the teaching so much I decided to take my level 2 teacher’s qualification so that I could teach more.  I taught on a Saturday for 21 years and when I became a mum the job was perfect as I looked after my daughter all day and then went out to teach in the evenings when my husband was home.

As my daughter got older I took on more teaching hours around school drop off and pick up times.

I find the job so rewarding as you get to see so many children progress and gain their confidence while having fun.  I am now in a position of seeing young adults who are becoming swim teachers who I used to teach to swim in their early years.

With the many years of teaching experience that I have I am now being able to apply this to help me in my new job role as a swim course team leader which allows me to help and guide all swim teachers."

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If you are interested in becoming a swimming teacher and would like to find out more about the process and qualifications please get in touch by emailing sportsteam@pfpleisure.org