Become a Swim Instructor
Becoming a swim instructor is an opportunity to share a passion for swimming with people who want to learn how to swim safely.
The Swim Instructor course prepares future instructors to teach the skills included in the Swim for Life program and related swimming techniques, as well as to evaluate their future participants’ progress and skill development.
Candidates are guided by certified Swim Instructor Trainers who introduce them to proven teaching methods, a variety of practical exercises and techniques for providing effective feedback and corrections.
Aquatic centres can offer this course in a variety of formats. The Swim Instructor course can also be combined with the Lifesaving Instructor course.
The time required to complete the training may vary depending on the course format, number of candidates and learning activities selected.
The durations below are based on classes of 12 candidates.
Be at least 15 years of age before the final course evaluation;
Hold a Bronze Cross certification or higher.
Learning is completed and evaluated under the supervision of certified Swim Instructor Trainers.
The Swim Instructor certification is valid for 2 years.
The course consists of 32 hours, divided as follows:
12 hours in the classroom;
20 hours in the water.
The duration may vary depending on the course format, number of candidates and learning activities offered.
The Combined Instructor course brings together the Swim Instructor and Lifesaving Instructor courses into a single training pathway. It develops the skills required to teach the Lifesaving Society’s swimming and lifesaving programs.
Once certified, instructors can teach the levels and courses authorized by their certification, including the Swim for Life and Swim to Survive programs, as well as:
Rookie, Ranger and Star Patrol;
Bronze Star;
Bronze Medallion;
Bronze Cross.
Be at least 15 years of age before the last day of the course;
Hold a Bronze Cross certification or higher.
Candidates are guided by certified Swim Instructor Trainers and Lifesaving Instructor Trainers.
The certification is valid for 2 years.
The combined course consists of 40 hours, divided as follows:
17.5 hours in the classroom;
22.5 hours in the water.
The duration may vary depending on the course format, number of candidates and learning activities offered.
The Swim Instructor Trainer course is part of the Lifesaving Society’s leadership program. It prepares candidates to train, mentor and evaluate future Swim Instructors.
To obtain this certification, candidates must first successfully complete the Instructor Trainer course and then complete a supervised apprenticeship during at least one Swim Instructor course with an experienced Instructor Trainer.
Following the apprenticeship and a positive recommendation, the candidate’s file must be submitted to the Lifesaving Society to complete the certification process.