News and Blogs
The latest news from the Institute of Swimming
From finance to the swimming pool: Andy’s second career
Andy, 56, from Maldon in Essex, is training to become a swimming teacher, which he says is giving him focus and self-value in his next stage of life, following early retirement after a 37-year career in finance at Ford Motors Company. Andy explains: “Back in August 2023 I took voluntary early retirement from a career … […]
Volunteering to Vocation: Wendy’s Inspirational Path to Becoming a Swimming Teacher after 50
At 51, Wendy discovered a passion for being a swimming teacher, despite never having lessons as a child. Wendy found that both learning to swim and pivoting her career in adulthood has brought her unexpected happiness and confidence. Wendy explains: “I never had swimming lessons as a child and wasn’t a good or confident … […]
Olympic inspired swimming lesson game ideas
Ignite the Olympic spirit with our Paris Olympic-inspired swimming lesson games and activity ideas! Try out some of the following Paris-inspired swimming games in your swimming lessons for the 2024 Olympics: 1. Olympic-themed Rings The teacher sets up rings to act as goals, and the swimmers carry items or balls of varying sizes to the … […]
Teaching swimming part-time: A parent’s perspective on the perfect student job
Claire, from Sale in Greater Manchester, supported her 16-year-old daughter Imogen to train to become an Assistant Swimming Teacher. Here, Claire shares with us how this came about, and what it means to both to her and her daughter. Claire says: “Swimming has been part of our lives since Imogen was little. She enjoyed her … […]
Start your training for the ideal student job
Whether you’re a student eagerly awaiting the holiday break from school or someone seeking a new direction, consider this: why not embark on the journey to become a swimming teacher? There are lots of reasons why so many students decide to train to become swimming teachers and teach swimming alongside their studies. Start training from … […]
Saara plans to teach swimming to help her community whilst studying
Saara, 16, from Leicester, completed her SEQ Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching) qualification earlier this year, following in the footsteps of her brother, Abu Bakr. Here, we’ll learn how she plans to benefit from working in aquatics, and what her mum, Sabreena, feels about her children becoming swimming teachers. Saara says: “I was inspired by … […]
Newly Launched Registry Tracks Pool Chemical Incidents
Key industry bodies have launched a pool plant chemical incident register in a bid to help the sector improve standards of chemical handling and tackle the dramatic rise in accidents and incidents. Chemical incidents in the UK have risen dramatically over the last few years, particularly since covid, with the three year average between … […]
From Consultant to Swimming Teacher; Mark took the plunge to change careers
Mark Drummond, 50, changed careers from managing his own consultancy business to swimming teacher through the Institute of Swimming’s training academy in December 2021. Currently he works 30 hours per week teaching swimming, including delivering Trafford Leisure’s Learn to Swim lessons, instructing for the school swim programme, and delivering specialist Alpha swimming programme tailored for … […]
Beyond the Pool, Alice shares her Open Water Coaching course experience
Beyond the Pool: Completing the Open Water Swimming Coach Course Alice completed the Open Water Swimming coach course and shares her story: “When I was younger I was a dedicated club swimmer. Fast forward to 2017, and I found myself training to become a swimming teacher in New Zealand. I enjoyed crafting creative lessons and … […]
From Self-Taught Swimmer to Inspirational Teacher: Andre’s journey to teach swimming
Andre, 19, has completed his Institute of Swimming Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching) qualification and is about to start his Level 2 Teaching Swimming qualification. His training has been funded though Swim England’s collaboration with Disney and Ocean Bottle, as part of a programme to develop a more diverse aquatic workforce following the release of … […]
Two decades of swimming teacher expertise: meet Danni
Danni, 37, has been a swimming teacher for almost twenty years. Here she explains why she turned her hobby into a career, and how it has supported her throughout various stages of her life. Danni says: “I’d always enjoyed swimming as a child and joined a local swimming club. Like so many other junior club … […]
Monaka experienced the health benefits of swimming and wanted inspire others in her community
Monaka, trained to become a swimming teacher after a serious condition, Fibromyalgia, left her with severe mobility problems, at the time unable to walk. She explains: “My husband took me to the pool in order for me to start to regain movement. I had to learn to swim again. The health benefits of swimming, … […]