Hi, any swim teachers out there?

[moono]

I am ready to think about training for going back to work and like the idea of becoming a swimming teacher. I have always loved swimming and would like to work with kids in some capacity.

Has anyone done this and if so, what does it involve in terms of hours and cost to train? Is there a demand for swimming teachers? Once qualified, what rate of pay could I expect - I'm in East Anglia? Where do I start?

tia

bumping for you... my son needs a new swim teacher, funny enough, and we're in East Anglia.

bumping as well because it's an interesting question! I imagine you would at least the Bronze Lifesaving Award, which I think is the one that pool lifeguards need to have. Local pools should offer this course. Beyond that, I dunno.

[waiting expectantly for a brighter, smarter MNer to come along emoticon]

check out
www.sta.co.uk
and
www.britishswimming.org

both offer comparable training programmes, which should be detailed on their websites.

Our local council pool runs the training courses a few times a year, which take a week for assistant level and another week for full level, then you also need life-saving and first aid. They cost about £100-£200 I think.

Good luck.

squeakycat thank you so much for the sites, I will have a look at them later. Are you a swim teacher yourself?

Once qualified, does anyone know if you are emplloyed or self-employed and if SE can you offset the training fee against your income once you start working?

I think you have to have the lifesaving cert before you can train as a teacher. My ds1 is a part-time lifeguard and did the RLSS course at our local pool. It cost £150.

Hi

I am a swimming instructor, but I come from RSA so am new to how the system works here.

Basically there are two levels of training you can do: ASA Level 1 means you become a teachers assistant and ASA Level 2 means you are qualified to teach.

Its probably a good idea to do your ASA Level 1 first and then get in the water to gain some confidence and learn how to hold the kids etc - I know it sounds silly, but it really is something you have to adapt to. I swam comptitively for 11 years and have been teaching swimming now on and off for 3 years and its still takes adapting whenever I get in the pool.

Once you are confident go on and do your ASA Level 2. You will get a job relatively easily as there is a big demand - always (but then again I am in London)

I have just been hired by a gym and am classified as SE, as I didnt train here I wont be able to claim so havent bothered to find out more about that.

This is a fantastic and flexible job. I love it!! Go for it, you wont ever want to do anything after it again. Just make sure you dont spend too many hours in the pool each day, as it is very tiring.

I get paid £20/hr (london rate) but have heard that you should be paid between £15 and £20 per hour.

Like I said, I come from South Africa so pls understand I am also learning how the system works and this has been my experience so far.

Sorry one more thing - no matter what you have to pay for training, I promise its worth it as you will have it to fall back on whenever and where ever. I have a BSc degree, but get paid more to teach swimming! Worth it!!!!

Good luck

Oh golly another thing and please dont take offense,(keep thinking of more stuff) make sure the school you work for is insured and you have a set out emergency routine. Accidents can happen very quickly esp if you are working with more than one child at a time. So please make sure you are covered always. Working in such a dangerous environment with other peoples kids, is no joke.

ASA level 2 is what you need for most jobs. The level 1 is a pre-requisite (unless you can get exemption), but I've never heard of anyone getting a job with just the level 1. Cost for the L2 course would be £200+ usually I think (club payed for mine). If you volunteer with a local club they may pay for or contribute towards your training in exchange for your time helping out. Pay rates vary - check with your local pools/LEA. You do not usually need the full pool lifeguard qualification - a simpler one called 'rescue test for swim teachers' is the minimum required by most employers. Insurance is also essential (most people use the Institute of Swimming Teachers and Coaches for this, it's around £30/year I think). Lastly you need to be police checked - I think employers usually pay for this.

In order to keep your level 2 teacher certificate valid you need to take additional training to gain CPD (continued professional development) points - you need to provide evidence of enough points every 2 (i think) years. Costs vary. The rescue test also needs to be re-taken with a refresher course every two years.

There is always demand! Schools work is usually more sought after as the hours etc. are better. Other work with swim pools usually involves Saturday mornings and evenings and often does not break for holidays.