A water swimming instructor class covers teaching people to swim rather than guarding them. This page explains the certificate itself so you know what to look for before you book a class anywhere. This page sets out what the course involves, what you need before you book and who it is meant for, so you can tell whether it is the certificate your facility is asking for.
What this certificate is for
The water swimming instructor class is written for structured lessons for children and adults in a pool. Teaching is a separate qualification from lifeguarding. Plenty of facilities ask their instructors to hold both. Employers do not all use the same wording when they advertise a vacancy, so where a job description is vague it is worth asking which certificate they will accept on your first day rather than assuming.
Inside the course
You will be assessed on each of the following, in the water and on land:
- stroke mechanics and how to break them into progressions
- planning a lesson and a course of lessons by level
- teaching water entry, breath control and floating to beginners
- class management, ratios and keeping a group safe while teaching
- assessing swimmers and recording progress
These are tested rather than simply shown to you, so expect a lot of repetition in the water and a written paper at the end. Candidates who struggle usually do so on stamina rather than on technique.
Before you sign up
Before booking a water swimming instructor class, you should be able to meet the entry requirements:
- demonstrable stroke technique across the main strokes
- comfort in deep water and the ability to demonstrate from the water
- a minimum age that varies by provider
The swim test is a gate, not something the class teaches you, and it is where most people come unstuck. If you are not there yet, spend a few weeks building the distance before you book a seat.
Who should take it
Swim school staff, camp instructors and club coaches. If you are not certain a water swimming instructor class is right for the job you have in mind, ask the facility what they require before you pay for a seat or call (800) 670-3391 and we will tell you what we see that kind of site asking for.
Frequently asked
Is this the same as a lifeguard certificate?
No. Lifeguarding is about preventing and responding to drowning; this is about teaching people to swim. Many facilities want their instructors to hold both.
How good a swimmer do I need to be?
Good enough to demonstrate each stroke correctly at slow speed, which is harder than swimming it fast. You will be teaching from the water as well as the deck.
What ages will I be teaching?
That depends on the facility. The course covers progressions for beginners through to stroke refinement, so it applies to both children and adults.
Related courses
If this is not the right fit, the closest alternatives are Pool Lifeguard, Junior Lifeguard, CPR and AED. Each covers a different setting, and which certificate you need is decided by where you will be guarding rather than by preference.