Swimming instructors usually have a background in water sports.
It can be difficult to become a swimming instructor if you don’t have significant swimming skills or experience. However, if you are a good swimmer and have a lot of experience swimming, the process of becoming a swim instructor is much easier. You can start by taking a swimming refresher course if you don’t have practice. Otherwise, you’ll need to start by taking CPR first aid and certification classes, which are usually offered at community colleges, YMCA facilities, or other community-oriented facilities that can host these training classes.
A swimming instructor must know how to perform CPR.
It may be possible to become a swim instructor by attending an all-inclusive swim instructor course, which includes first aid and CPR training, but this is not common and in most cases you will need to take lessons individually. A CPR class should include CPR training for adults, children, and infants, as most swim instructor certifications require training for these specific age groups. First aid training will prepare you to become a swimming instructor, giving you the skills to treat a variety of injuries that are common in pools or other swimming areas. It is often necessary to obtain CPR and first aid certificates before enrolling in any swim instructor certification class.
Community colleges, YMCA facilities, swimming facilities, and other facilities in your region may also offer swim instructor certification classes. In the United States and other parts of the world, the Red Cross may offer lifeguarding courses that will allow you to become a swim instructor in many pools and swim areas. Find out what this training entails, as well as the costs and how long it will take. Be prepared to sacrifice several Saturdays or nights for this training, as well as CPR and first aid training.
Once you get all the necessary certifications, you can apply for a job to become a swim instructor at a gym or fitness center, or you can advertise your services independently. The latter path is a much more difficult process than simply getting hired at an established institution, as this will require marketing skills as well as access to a pool or swimming area. Gyms and fitness centers often offer swimming lessons that you can teach, and clients deal directly with the gym or fitness center, rather than with you.