How to be a Swim Teacher

how-to-be-a-swim-teacher
how-to-be-a-swim-teacher

How to be a swim teacher? There are 2 ways to be a swim teacher in Singapore. The first way is to enrol in AUSTSwim or SSTA swimming teacher course and the other way is to enrol with NROC. First thing first, you must be able to swim at least 3 strokes. Best if you know more strokes the better.

Difference between AUSTSWIM/ ASTA vs NROC is that AUSTSWIM/ASTA can only teach in Condominum Pool or Club, Whereas NROC can teach Both Condominum, Club and Public pool.

Below are some of the useful link for you to take into consideration when you want to be a swim teacher.

For swimming graduate in Austswim or NROC who wishes to look for attachment, Kindly email him at ask@aqzog.com or whatsapp him at 91375141.

If you would like to seek clarification on how to be a swimming coach, you may email me as well. Coach Raymond will be willing to help.

Challenges Faced as a Swim Teacher

  • Have to brave the weather regardless rain or shine
  • Sometimes the water get cold during winter time
  • Pressure from student’s parents who expect the child to improve faster than expected
  • Thinks of ways to make swimming fun and productive
  • Lessons planning from start to end

7 ways a swim teacher can improve his knowledge and practical coaching

  • By watching video on instructional coaching
  • Watching the best practise from other coaches
  • Learn from a mentor
  • Attend Stroke Clinic regularly
  • Group discussion among coaches
  • Keep trying new way of coaching- Be creative
  • Keep an open mind and keep learning.

Why is it important to get a coaching license?

  • A coaching credential serves to communicate these standards with no uncertainty. Our clients can feel secure in knowing that their credentialed coach brings credibility, training, experience and excellence to the coaching relationship.
  • Chances of success increases by owning a coaching certification. According to many professional coaches, coaching certification helps you to attract more clients. In this way, there are better chances to achieve success in your coaching business. Such coaches are also less likely to drop out of their professions.
  • Client are more confident and trust your coaching creditability

Your role as a Swim Teacher

  • Be positive and display a good attitude.
  • Be supportive of your peers and management
  • Be fair and treat everyone with respect
  • Be a role model at all times, not just when teaching class
  • Be a good coach that motivate and inspire learners
  • Be attentive to your class participants
  • Be sensitive to learner’s needs and objectives
  • Be ready to help them develop positive self images
  • Be available to assist members and participants
  • Be quick to react to participant feedback.
  • Be sure to use positive teaching techniques.
  • Be alert to prevent accidents and ensure safety of your students
  • Be ready to offer participants relevant aquatic opportunities when required
  • Be knowledgeable about your teaching subjects
  • Be up to date in your field and know your subject
  • Be sure to keep good teaching note
  • Be friendly and personal
  • Be aware of the value of good public relations, especially with parents
  • Be dressed appropriately
  • Be reliable
  • Be well prepared for lesson
  • Be able to handle emergencies calmly and correctly

Need more help? Head out to our coaches resources for more answers.

Frequently Asked Question on How to Be a Swim Teacher

You need to know butterfly, breaststroke, backstroke and freestyle. Total 4 strokes.

At least 3 strokes. Butterfly is not required if you want to be a swim teacher of Austswim or SSTA.

If you have an interest for swimming, it would be easy to be a swim teacher. However if you want to be a NROC swim Coach, that will be harder than getting licence from Austswim or SSTA. Whichever path you take, the most important thing to achieve success in coaching is to have passion and interest.

Just like learn to swim, age is just number. So long you put in your effort and passion, this should not be a problem for you. There are some who started to apply to be a coach at age 42, some started at 55, etc. I am sure age is not a problem as you can see.

You can have your stroke evaluate with a swimming coach to give you an opinion. Book the appointment with me.

Obviously the answer is “YES”.

Since I was in secondary 1. Back those days in the 80s, swimming lessons was more popular among secondary school children. I remember having to attend the swimming lessons at toa payoh pool in the morning and go straight to school in the afternoon. Those days, we had to travel to the pool on our own, go to school on our own and is not part of our CCA. My friend and I were sleepy in class after swimming lessons. But it was a great experience. I was not keen to become a swim teacher during that time.

I love water as a small boy. The thought of becoming a swimming coach did not crossed my mind when I was in my growing up years. I took part in many sports event such as biathlon and triathlon back those days in the 2000s. I often provide guidance and advice to fellow sports people when we train together until one of my peer suggest me to be a coach. That was how it happened. Me becoming a coach was accidental. Then thru the coaching years, my passion started to grew years. Probably what inspire me to be a coach was when I see the achievements and success of others.

Yes our school is one of the affiliation.

Yes, you may do so.

Yes, you can do the attachment with me at any condo pool and I will share with you my effective coaching methods that you will master in a short period of time.

No. Knowledge for you is FREE of Charge. But you must apply what you learn. If you are good, I may share with you even more. One criteria is that you must already be in the Austswim or NROC course during the learning process with me.

If you have been swimming and can do at least 2-3 strokes, and have the ability to tread water, I would say, go ahead and give it a try. No harm trying. Along the way you will learn. Like like me, everyone started with the first step.

There are few instance where I had student starting to learn at age of 5 until today at the age of 18, he is still learning to teach. He was keen as a student learner but as he grew up, his objective changed. I would be glad to impart my knowledge to him no matter what. So now, he is learning how to teach beginner and he shall be the next generation of swimming coach.

For NROC application,

  • Candidates must be age 18 years and above.
  • Completed Lifesaving 1, 2, 3 from the Singapore Life Saving Society or equivalent.
  • Holding a valid First Aid, CPR and AED certificate.
  • Able to swim Frontcrawl, Breaststroke and Backcrawl and Butterfly for a minimum of 25 meters.
  • Able to understand, write and give instructions in English.

For SSTA application,

  • Candidates must be age 17 years and above.
  • Completed Lifesaving 1, 2, 3 or Bronze Medallion from the Singapore Life Saving Society or equivalent.
  • Holding a valid First Aid, CPR and AED certificate.
  • Able to swim Frontcrawl, Breaststroke and Backcrawl for a minimum of 25 meters.
  • Able to understand, write and give instructions in English.

For Austswim application,

  • Candidates must be age 17 years and above.
  • Holding a valid First Aid, CPR and AED certificate.
  • Able to swim Frontcrawl, Breaststroke and Backcrawl for a minimum of 25 meters.
  • Able to understand, write and give instructions in English.

You may contact me for such training and certification at 91375141.

Useful Links for Swim Teacher’s Course