If you love swimming and have been considering helping others find their passions and conquer their fears in the water, then working as a swimming instructor would seem like the perfect fit. It’s fulfilling work to teach students of all ages such an important life skill, and if you’re someone who loves the idea of being next to the water, it should have you leaving work with a smile on your face each day. In order to narrow the gap between this dream and your reality, you’re going to have to get your hands on a swimming teacher course. With so many options available across the US, finding the right course for you can present quite a challenge. We’ve put together a list of reputable courses that should have you doing the backstroke into your first job as a swimming instructor.
Certified Fundamental Swim Instructor (CFSI)
When you head to your local pool and slap your resume down on the desk in search of a teaching job, the first question you can expect to hear back is if you’re certified. Now, having the U.S. Swim Schools Association's Certified Fundamental Swim Instructor (CFSI) program down on your resume should have them asking when you can start. This course shows employers that you possess the necessary skills to teach swimming safely and effectively.
There’s a separate preview for members and non-members, so you might want to consider registering in advance (fees are $330 for non-members, $110 for members). In terms of the workload, this course comes with about 12 hours of online training and a subsequent 100-question exam that you’ll need to pass. Of course, you’ll also need to go through a series of background checks, CPR certification, and in-water training hours before you can make it out the other end. It will have you well on your way to working as a swimming instructor, seeing as you’ll learn everything from safety protocols to teaching methods for kids with special abilities.
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) - WSI Course
If you find yourself in commuting distance to Chicago or you’re willing to travel for the right course, then your search might just end here. The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) offers a comprehensive Water Safety Instructor (WSI) course that follows all the American Red Cross standards.
After just thirty hours of training, you’ll learn all about how to instruct various water safety programs for all ages and skill levels.
As long as you’re over the age of 16 and meet swimming skill requirements, like swimming 25 yards in multiple strokes, you should be good to go on your quest to become a certified instructor.
The course focuses on teaching methods as opposed to swimming skills, seeing as its focus is to make you into the instructor you envision yourself becoming. Similar to the last course, there are also a number of different price tags for the course.
This is certainly an expense that’s easily justified, seeing as you’ll end up with a two-year American Red Cross WSI Certification, communicating to employers that you’re capable of high-quality instruction.
While most of the people who take the course are those looking to get their swim instructor certification, it’s also suitable for current teachers looking to sharpen their skills. After all the hard work is said and done, your certification will last three years before you have to worry about getting recertified.
Greater Philadelphia YMCA - Swim Instructor Qualification
Next, we’ve got the Greater Philadelphia YMCA, a pioneer in group swim lessons. This course definitely stands out even among some of the mentions on our list of exceptional course options. It checks every box you might have on your search criteria, as it includes YMCA Swim Lesson Certification, CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguarding credentials.
Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) – Boston North
When selecting what course to enroll in, you’re going to want to think about the kind of job you want down the line so that you can select the best fit. If you’d like to teach preschoolers to swim, then the Basic Swim Instructor (BSI) course is going to be just perfect. Teaching students at this age and skill level requires a different skillset and approach than would be required at an advanced level, for example, and this course is specifically designed to get you there.
You’ll learn how to conduct survival swimming lessons for children aged 6 months to 6 years. There aren’t too many jobs that offer work as rewarding as this. You’ll be dying to get started teaching from the moment you wrap up your training. The program emphasises safety and confidence in the water, as you’ll be teaching your students to roll onto their backs to float, breathe, and swim to safety. Your impact could make all the difference at some point in their lives, so if you find yourself in Boston, then this one is definitely worth checking out!
Teach America To Swim (Massachusetts)
When it comes to teaching younger swimmers the ropes, instructors also tend to opt for Teach America to Swim, as they have a great Water Safety Instructor certification that will really stand out on your resume when you get around to applying for jobs.
That's because they do such a great job of training instructor candidates to develop the knowledge and skills to plan and teach courses in the Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety Programs.
If you were to survey hundreds of current swimming instructors about what course they would recommend for those looking to teach beginner-level swimmers, you can expect a number of responses to point you in the direction of this course.
The proof is in the pudding, since participants will learn to teach Parent & Child Aquatics, Preschool Aquatics, and Learn-to-Swim Levels 1–6, equipping them with all they need to get teaching right away.
Born2Swim (Miami)
If you’ve a particular interest in teaching little ones to swim and gain confidence, then Miami's Born2Swim Aquatic Academy provide the perfect bridge to get you there. Throughout your time on the course, you’ll learn to teach children as young as 6 months old to swim, float, and survive in water. As you might have guessed, conducting this sort of class is going to require a separate set of skills from those you might use in other classes, so a specialized course is most definitely needed.
The reassuring thing about enrolling in this course is that you don’t have to worry about the process being in any way different, whether it’ll be your first time teaching, or you've already got teaching experience under your belt. The hands-on training you’ll get with the owner, Yazmin Ramirez-Acocella, will equip you with all the necessary skills along with the behavioral techniques for teaching children of all ages and abilities.
Aquatic Solutions - WSI Classes (NYC)
If you’re looking to find the right swimming teacher course in New York, starting your search off with Aquatic Solutions, the city’s leading aquatic education center would be a safe bet! This sort of reputation doesn’t earn itself, and they’re also well spread out across New York, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding that more than desirable Water Safety Instructor (WSI) course.
Outside of the availability and prestige of their classes, they also tick one of the main boxes on any aspiring swimming teacher’s search criteria by aligning their hands-on training with American Red Cross guidelines. You also don’t need to free up your calendar with as much time as you might think in order to complete this course, as it’s just 25-30 hours in length while being open to anyone 16 and older with swimming proficiency.
This course covers diverse teaching methods, emergency prevention, and adaptation techniques for NYC's diverse population.
As if these swimming teacher courses weren’t already attractive enough, those who enrol also have the luxury of learning in small class sizes (6-10 students). The effectiveness of these smaller class sizes definitely shows in the course’s high pass rates. Once the hard work is done, you’ll be adding a two-year nationally recognized WSI certification to your resume, and you’ll also benefit from job placement assistance, helping you land that dream job of yours.
Washington University Rec Swim Instructor Certification
If you find yourself in Missouri, then Washington University in St. Louis is going to be a no-brainer when it comes to getting your hands on a recreational Instructor Certification. So, what exactly will you be putting your time towards once you’ve got yourself a place on this seminar teacher course? Well, you can expect to cover essential swimming techniques, stroke development, and adaptive teaching strategies.
Going into the course, you should also be prepared to prove your ability in the water, as you’ll be required to pass a pre-requisite swim test demonstrating proficiency in various strokes. You’ll be a more than attractive candidate for any swimming teacher jobs you apply for after graduating from this course, as you’ll have learned all about creating effective lesson plans, addressing common challenges, and adapting to different skill levels.
Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI)
If you didn’t want to worry about whether the courses you are choosing are aligned with the American Red Cross guidelines, you could follow in the footsteps of countless instructors across the US and go right to the source. The American Red Cross offers its very own Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification, which is considered the gold standard for swimming teacher courses in the US. It does exactly what it says on the tin, equipping instructors to teach all ages and levels, from Parent and Child Aquatics to Adult Swim classes.
The certification, valid for two years, typically costs around $300.
There’s good reason why so many facilities give preference to any job applications that hit their desk that have the course down on their resume. It covers everything from water safety principles, hydrodynamics, and adaptive instruction techniques, to a high level. The sky’s the limit for instructors who complete this course, as it also includes advanced skills like competitive stroke mechanics and diving fundamentals, equipping them to teach at a higher level.
Los Angeles Trade-Tech College - WSI program
Another great option you could opt for over on the West Coast is this WSI program that they have over in Los Angeles. This is the swiss army knife of swimming courses, as throughout your time on the program, you’ll learn about teaching water safety to all ages and abilities, including fitness swimming, pre-swim team training, water aerobics, and beginning springboard diving.
You’ve also got your First Aid and CPR/AED out of the way by the time you finish, too, seeing as these are actually integrated as components of the course. Then, you’ll also get various American Red Cross lifeguard certificates, and the American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Certification is also included in the program.
You can see why this is one of the go-to options for anyone within commuting distance to Los Angeles who’s got aspirations of becoming a swimming teacher. Swimming instructors trained through such comprehensive programs often enjoy competitive salaries, typically ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 per year, depending on their experience and location.
Selecting Your Swimming Teacher Course
Now that you've learned about different swimming instructor certification pathways, you can choose a program that matches your career goals and situation. Each certification has its benefits. You might conclude at the end of your analysis that a specialized course is going to be the best route for you to land your dream teaching role. On the other hand, a more generalized learning approach could be favored for some positions and may keep more doors open for you, too. You should find yourself in a better position to make an informed decision as to what the best next step is for you, and begin taking steps closer to getting certified and landing a job as a swimming teacher here in the US.
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