Swimming Instructor

In many ways, swimming is like busting a move on the dance floor. Both require coordination, strength, and a dose of grace to make it look good. Swimming Instructors teach the skill of swimming to people of all ages, from the very young to the very old.

Swimming Instructors are commonly found in summer camps, though you can also work at public pools teaching classes throughout the year. No matter where you work though, your job as a Swimming Instructor is the same: to explain and demonstrate strokes, which can be anything from backstroke to freestyle to breaststroke. You also teach your pupils how to float, dive, and tread water—anything they need to know to be comfortable and safe in a pool, lake, or ocean.

Your students can be any age, but you work mostly with kids. You can teach the really little (as in under five) or you can handle older kids. When you’re working with really young kids, the most important things to do are to make them feel comfortable and keep them from drowning. You may use arm floaties, or hold them while they get used to the idea of putting their face underwater and moving their arms and legs at the same time.

Older kids may need the basics as well, but you’re often helping them improve or learn harder strokes. You can also play pool games and hold races—anything to make learning fun.