Swim instructors encourage others to dive into swim teacher training
Swim instructors in East Renfrewshire are encouraging others to dive into a swim teacher training course, starting next month.
Article Source: East Renfrewshire Culture & Leisure
Last Updated: 19 May 2023 9:51
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure works in partnership with Scottish Swimming, following the National Swimming Framework and delivering the new Scottish Swimming Teaching Qualification (SSTQ Level 7). The five-week course takes place online and at Barrhead Foundry and Eastwood Park Leisure Centre swimming pools.
Swim instructor Harry Coyle from Barrhead is currently studying sports science at Glasgow University. He has worked part-time as a swim instructor with East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure for almost five years and teaches at Barrhead Foundry.
Harry said: “I started teaching swimming when I was sixteen. I did my swim teacher training course in July and then started working for East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure in August.
“I've seen so many kids come from being a toddler all the way through to swim skills 4, our top level. It's great to see kids come through the programme, getting really good at swimming and knowing they started that with me.
“I think everyone should be able to swim, mainly from a safety point of view. It's a good life skill for safety but also for kids getting into a sport. A lot of kids also make friends during their lessons too.”
Olivia Clark, 19, is studying law and Spanish at Strathclyde University. She gained her swim instructor qualification last year and started working as an instructor in January. She teaches several classes each week at Barrhead Foundry and Eastwood Park Leisure.
Olivia said: “I went to Eastwood Park Leisure swimming lessons myself from a young age because my mum was really eager for me to learn how to swim. I was in lessons until I was about nine and then did a diving course. I never pursued it competitively but I always loved swimming. It's a really useful skill to have.
“It's a brilliant job and I would definitely recommend becoming a swimming teacher. One of the best things about being a swim teacher is seeing the progress they make and your impact on that.
“Doing the swim teacher training course was such a brilliant experience, I still talk to everyone from that course. I would recommend anyone get involved in it.”
Emily Greeves, 22 from Newton Mearns has been a swimming instructor for six years, having completed the course at the age of 16. She currently takes nine swimming classes per week and balances her role around her university schedule.
Emily said: “I started off as a student swim teacher when I was 15 and as soon as I turned 16 I did the full teacher course. I got into swimming teaching through being a part of Ren96 swim team, where my coaches encouraged me to take part in the student swim teacher scheme, which inspired me to do my swimming teacher course. I moved to work at East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure in 2018 as a swimming teacher and a lifeguard.
“I really enjoy teaching swimming lessons; I find it a very rewarding job. I enjoy watching the kids improve and grow in confidence over the course of the program.
“I would definitely encourage people to do their swimming teaching qualification, especially those with a swimming background because it can be very rewarding and it can be flexible for school and university schedules.”
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure Trust has partnered with Scottish Swimming and recently invested in the Learn to Swim programme, with all existing swimming teachers upskilled to ensure the delivery of the best quality programme for young swimmers and teaching essential life skills for the long term.
Anthony McReavy from East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure said: “Swimming is hugely popular in East Renfrewshire and we're delighted to train our future swimming teachers, to ensure we can continue delivering the best quality programme for young swimmers.”
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure runs three courses every year, which are open to those over 16 years of age. The next SSTQ course starts on 26 June and runs to 20 July 2023, with a full list of course dates available here. Candidates are required to complete time shadowing swimming lessons before the course starts. Once the qualification is complete, participants can source employment as a swimming instructor with East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure's Swimming Development Team.
To find out more and apply, visit: www.ercultureandleisure.org
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