Teaching Swimming in Canada
- To be a swimming instructor in Canada, you need certifications like the Water Safety Instructor (WSI) and National Lifeguard certification.
- It’s important to complete the Bronze Medal Awards Mandatory Update course for updated safety protocols.
- You typically need a high school diploma, teaching experience, and a criminal record check.
- Professional development can be pursued through organizations such as Swimming Canada and the Lifesaving Society.
Have you ever thought about becoming a swimming instructor in Canada? Becoming a swimming instructor could be a very enriching experience since you will help people to build confidence in the water, which will stick with them for the rest of their lives.
In this article we'll discover everything involved in the world of swim instructors and swimming coaches in Canada, from the most recognized certifications to where you can start your training.
Let's get started.
What qualifications do I need to be a swimming instructor?
If your dream career is to become a swimming Canada coach or a swim instructor is crucial for you to know that you will need to provide proper professional training and undergo thorough evaluations.
We all know that swimming can be a highly effective sport and exercise; however, it can also be dangerous when not given the proper training.
| Certification / Licence | Issuing Organization | Minimum Age | Prerequisites | What It Qualifies You to Do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze Medallion | Lifesaving Society Canada | 13+ or Bronze Star | Strong swimming skills | Introduces lifesaving principles; first step toward advanced certifications. |
| Bronze Cross | Lifesaving Society Canada | Typically 13–14+ | Bronze Medallion | Required for lifeguard training; develops advanced lifesaving and rescue skills. |
| Standard First Aid & CPR-C | Lifesaving Society / Red Cross / St. John Ambulance | Varies (usually 12+) | None | Prepares candidates for emergency response; mandatory for many instructor and lifeguard roles. |
| National Lifeguard (NL) | Lifesaving Society Canada | 15 (pool option) / 16 (waterfront) | Bronze Cross + Standard First Aid | Certifies individuals to work as lifeguards in pools, waterparks, and/or waterfronts. |
| Lifesaving Instructor (LSI) | Lifesaving Society Canada | 16+ | Bronze Cross + Assistant Instructor (in some provinces) | Allows teaching of Bronze-level lifesaving courses, fitness classes, and safety programs. |
| Swim Instructor (Lifesaving Society) | Lifesaving Society Canada | 15–16+ (varies by province) | Bronze Cross + Assistant Instructor | Certifies individuals to teach the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program. |
| YMCA Swim Instructor | YMCA Canada | 16+ | Standard First Aid + Bronze Cross (varies) | Certifies instructors to teach YMCA swim programs across Canada. |
It would be best if you become certified and experienced professional to follow the proper swimming techniques and methods, ensuring safety when in the water. Whether you're interested in giving professional training or teaching people how to swim, being a true professional can help your swimming trainees achieve the results they are expecting to accomplish.
Let's find out more!
Some certificates, licenses, memberships, and courses you should know about are:
- The Water Safety Instructor (WSI), a swimming instructing program regulated and certified primarily through the Canadian Red Cross.
Some may also ask you to provide a valid National Lifeguard certification. This lifeguard certification program is nationally recognized throughout the country and by the province of Ontario for lifeguarding public swimming pools.
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification, earned from an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) provider.
- The Bronze Medal Awards Mandatory Update course for lifesaving trainers and swimming instructors.
- You may be asked to provide a minimum of a Secondary (high) school graduation certificate (however, this will depend on the type of employment you are searching for).
- Demonstrate previous experience teaching swimming lessons (the required years of experience will depend on the type of employment).
- Previous volunteer work could be considered an asset.
- Swim schools may also ask for your criminal record check and proof of work in Canada.
- And last but not least, it will be best if you have a love for swimming and a passion for teaching!
Also, if you are interested in finding professional training, evaluation, and professional opportunities, we recommend you to check out the Swimming education programs delivered by:
This organization ensures each province's competitions and recreational programming meet their swimmers' needs.
Provides professional development and recognition of swim coaches in Canada
It is an organization that focuses on preventing drowning and injuries through training programs. It is recognized as one of the leaders in the development of standards for activities in, on, and around water.
A group of multisport training centres that promote professional coaching, sport science, and sport medicine services to national team athletes, research, training, and competition.
The association empowers coaches by promoting skills, ethics, competence, and recognition.
What skills do you need to be a swim instructor?
Becoming a successful swim coach involves more than just holding the necessary certifications and qualifications. While these are fundamental, the real difference lies in the skills you bring to the role.
The right mix of abilities can elevate your coaching, enhance the experience for your swimmers, and help you stand out in a competitive field.
Here’s a look at the key skills that can make you a standout swim coach.
Communication Skills: Effective communication involves active listening, assertiveness, empathy, and understanding body language. This helps in building relationships and clearly conveying instructions.
Swimming Ability: Strong swimming skills are essential for teaching techniques such as breathing, floating, and safe water movement. Experience helps in creating effective training plans.
Safe Supervision: Knowledge of pool safety, lifeguard services, and emergency procedures, including CPR and AED, is crucial for ensuring a safe environment.
Group Management: Managing groups involves tracking attendance, ensuring activity completion, and maintaining safety, especially when working with children.
Customer Service: Providing excellent customer service involves creating a welcoming environment, communicating effectively with clients, and ensuring a positive experience to build trust and retain customers.
It’s these core skills that truly define a successful swim coach. Mastering communication, swimming techniques, safety protocols, group management, and customer service will not only enhance your effectiveness but also improve the overall experience for your trainees.
How much does it cost to become a swimming instructor?
So one of the first steps to becoming a qualified swimming instructor is obtaining all the certifications and qualifications you need to deliver safe and engaging swimming lessons.
But here comes the million-dollar question! How much does it cost to become a swim instructor in Canada?
Becoming a swimming instructor in Canada involves more than just obtaining swimming certifications. Here, you will also need to consider how long it takes to be a swim instructor to acquire experience and good years of training.
However, let's see roughly the prices you need to think about:
- Water Safety Instructor (WSI) may vary, $385-$485 approx. It includes mandatory online assignments, 25 hours of classroom time, and 8 hours of practice teaching.
- The course costs of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification may vary from one location to another (ex. between $55 and $165 in Ontario; $75 in Alberta). Typically, this course is about 4 hours long.
- The registration fee for the Bronze Medal Awards Mandatory Update course could cost $45. The registration includes access to online course materials, the Bronze Medals Award Guide, and the New Bronze Cross Course Book. You will need to answer a multiple-choice written test that usually takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours.
“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”
Michael Phelps, Olympian Swimmer
Is being a swim instructor worth it?
While we know that financial considerations are not the most important factor when choosing a career, having a general understanding of typical compensation ranges can help you position yourself effectively in the field based on your experience, skills, and accomplishments.
According to Canada Talent, private swim instructors in Canada typically earn compensation that reflects their level of expertise, with newcomers to the profession receiving entry-level rates and more experienced instructors or coaches receiving higher levels of compensation.
The average salary for swim instructors indicate that it's a great career or part time job, but money should never be your only motivation. It’s absolutely worth becoming a swim instructor if you enjoy working with people, love the water, and want a job where every day feels energizing, meaningful, and full of small victories.
Regional comparisons show that some provinces tend to offer stronger overall compensation packages for swimming instructors. Among the most recommended regions to work are:
- British Columbia, which generally offers higher compensation for this field
- Ontario, which provides competitive opportunities across many communities
- Alberta, which maintains steady compensation levels for instructors
- Quebec, where instructors can expect compensation aligned with regional demand and experience
Start your Swimming instructor career with Superprof!
Even if swim instructors or swimming coaches are unregulated occupations in Canada, we recommend that you pay attention to the training you need to succeed in this professional sector and gain the necessary experience.
And do you know what is one of the best ways to gain experience and start your private swimming teaching journey? Through private lessons! Train to be the best private swim instructor in Canada with Superprof.
Superprof is the best tuition site online. You can start practicing to become the ideal private swimming instructor and spread your passion for sports with us.
With Superprof's platform, you will join a global network of private instructors to start offering your services. The answer is just a click away!
Gain the experience you need with the best private tutoring! Visit the Superprof Canada website and select "tutoring jobs." With us, opening your account is free, and you will discover the most flexible way to work in Canada! Are you ready to start?
References
- Lifesaving Society | Home. (n.d.). Lifesaving Society. https://www.lifesavingsociety.com/
- Become a lifeguard & swim instructor | YMCA of Greater Toronto (GTA). (n.d.). https://www.ymcagta.org/health-and-fitness/lifeguard-swim-instructor
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I have been a swimming coach in Hong Koong for over 15 years. And i have swimming coach certificate, CPR,water safety certificate certified ,etc by offical departments in Hong Kong. May I know more details about coaching in canada ?
Thank you
Hello Winnie, We are so glad you want to learn more about tutoring. Please check out https://www.superprof.ca/tutor/ to learn more.