Learning to swim isn’t just a fun activity – it’s a fundamental life skill that can quite literally save lives. But what if you could take that skill and turn it into something more? Getting your lifeguard or swim teacher qualifications doesn’t just mean helping others, it can open doors to a whole world of opportunities. From working at summer camps in the US, spending time in sunny places like Dubai, or even travelling the world doing something you love, training as a lifeguard or swim teacher is a valuable and important job all over the world.
For this week’s blog post, our Aquatics Manager Caitlin tells us her story on how lifeguard and swim teacher qualifications got her travelling the world!
My story 📖
My story is a little like this; at 16 years old, I trained to become a lifeguard and got a job working at a local leisure centre. I worked in the evenings, weekends and as much as possible to pay for driving lessons, a college ski trip, and the general life of a teenager. Once 18, I took my lifeguard qualification to France and Spain where I worked over the summers at pools and beaches, as a watersport instuctor.
In between the adventures in the sunshine, I came home and worked at the local leisure centre and then trained to become a Swim England Level 2 swimming teacher – a qualification that means you’re able to teach swimming to a range of abilities and all ages, and one that is internationally recognised… as well as having no expiration date!
Why it’s so important 🛟
Water covers 97.2% of the world’s surface and the risk it carries is the same, no matter where you are. Data from the National Water Safety forum shows 236 water-related fatalities in the UK in 2023 and, more shockingly, activities such as walking and running accounted for 48% of accidental fatalities.
The UK embraces being an island and the importance of swimming, with the government incorporating safety around water within the national curriculum and wants every child to be able to swim 25 metres by the age of 11. The governing body of the RLSS (Royal Lifesaving Society) provides national campaigns, like ‘Don’t drink and drown’ and ‘Drowning Prevention week‘ which, this year, is 14 to 21 June.
Where swim qualifications could take you 🌍
After gaining experience in Bristol and now having both my lifeguard and swim teaching qualifications, I effectively have a ticket to travel the world! I took the opportunity to live in the Middle East, both in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while Sam (one of our swimming teachers) spent time working in Australia after gaining his qualifications through an apprenticeship.
The adventures of our swimming pool team don’t stop there; with current team members weeks away from flying to America to use their skills and experience to work at summer camps. These are just a few examples of where swim teaching and lifeguard qualifications can open up the working world.
💡 If this sounds like a career for you, take a look at our upcoming courses and start your swimming career with us!
Do you offer adult swimming lessons to students too?
Yes, the pool and the adult swimming lessons are open to everyone! You can find out more here: https://bristol.ac.uk/sport/lessons/swimming/swimming-lessons/#Adults