If you are interested in working as a swimming instructor in Canada, you will find different certificates and courses that will upgrade your professional profile. Not only that, you will be able to provide the necessary experience, confidence, and safety to your new clients, as well as an outstanding professional profile that will stand out from the crowd.
Remember that aquatic training is an excellent exercise and sport but can also be dangerous. A certified and experienced professional is crucial in helping swimmers get the most out of their training while ensuring safety when training in the water. Let's take a look at everything you need to know to prepare yourself as well as possible. Learn also how Long it Takes to Be a Swimming instructor and find out what qualifications we recommend you acquire to work as a swim instructor in Canada.
What qualifications are required to be a swimming coach?
If you are wondering what you need to become the best swimming instructor in Canada, we recommend you get familiarized with all the qualifications mentioned below:
- NCCP Swimming Teacher Certification
The National Coaching Certification Program ( or NCCP) gives swimming teachers and coaches the training they need to work as swim instructors in Canada. The NCCP Swimming Teacher certification is an agreement between the Canadian Red Cross, Swimming Canada and the Coaching Association of Canada to provide the training track to become a swimming coach. You must know that the NCCP Swimming Teacher certification is the minimum certification required for swimming instructors and coaches that plan to work for community swim clubs. This program also offers swimming instructors and coaches employment opportunities and networking within this professional community. The NCCP Swimming Teacher certification has three primary levels.
- Level 1 – Fundamentals Coach: The fundamentals Coach certification is the minimum NCCP Swimming Teacher certification required. This certification is for swimming instructors or coaches at regional and provincial championship levels. To obtain the Level 1 Fundamentals Coach Certification, swim instructors must complete: The swimming 101 Pre Course Workbook, the Swimming 101 Course, the Fundamentals Portfolio and Assessment course, and an evaluation involving ethical decisions.
- Level 2 – Age Group Coach: This Age Group Coach training is the next step after completing Level 1 - Fundamentals Certification. The Age Group Coach certification addresses swimming instructors or coaches working at the provincial, Eastern - Western, and Canadian Junior Championships levels. To complete this Level 2 certification, swimming instructors must complete the Level 1 Fundamentals Coach Certification, sports modules focused on teaching and learning, mental skills, and sports program design; the Swimming 201 Pre Course and course Workbook; the age group portfolio and assessment, and evaluation; and last but not least an evaluation involving ethical decisions.
- Level 3 – Senior Coach: This certification is for Senior National and International swimming coaches. Swimming instructors can begin their Senior Coach certification after they complete the Swimming 201 course. To obtain the certificate, instructors must complete Levels 1 and 2; six multi-sport modules (coaching and leading, athletic abilities development, psychology of performance, conflict management, drug-free sport, and injury prevention and recovery); swimming 301 courses; Senior portfolio; and evaluation.
- The NCCP Advanced Coaching Diploma (ACD) is the most advanced multi-sport training program offered by the NCCP. It addresses swimming coaches working with high-performance athletes. Swimming instructors and coaches holding the ACD certification are the most qualified swimming coaches among Canadian athletes at provincial, national, and international levels. Swimming instructors and coaches with Level 3 certification may be considered for NCCP ACD admission.
- Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion
The Bronze Medallion is one of Canada's most recognized lifeguarding certifications, granted by the Lifesaving Society's Bronze series of awards. Through the training to obtain it, the candidates get familiarized
with safety and rescue skills, swimming efficiency and technique, time management, knowledge and skills to face emergencies and injuries, and CPR training. Regarding the prerequisites, candidates must consider obtaining the Lifesaving Society's Bronze Stad and have a minimum age of 13, considering the last day of the course.
- Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross
Lifesaving Society's Bronze Cross highlights the importance of teamwork in preventing and facing aquatic emergencies. The Lifesaving Society's Bronze Cross helps candidates to gain advanced lifeguarding skills. Swimming instructors and coaches strengthen their lifesaving skills and apply the principles of active surveillance in aquatic facilities to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. If you are interested in obtaining the Lifesaving Society's Bronze Cross, you must complete the Bronze Medallion or the Standard First Aid certifications.
- Standard First Aid
Standard First Aid for swimming instructors or coaches provides training involving all aspects of first aid, such as spinal injuries, heat or cold injuries, bone, and joint injuries, chest injuries, and medical emergencies. This Standard First Aid also covers Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
It's also important to mention that the first aid program is open to more than aquatic candidates, for example, non-aquatic staff and the general public. There is no prerequisite established to apply for Standard First Aid; however, you must know that this certification is only valid for 36 months. The Lifesaving Society and the Canadian Red Cross are responsible for issuing the SFA.
- National Lifeguard Course
National Lifeguard is the only nationally recognized lifeguard certification program in the country. This certification program was updated to ensure the proper safety practices of Canadian lifeguards required for their jobs. The National Lifeguard course addresses professionals lifeguarding public swimming pools, but it is also available for waterparks, waterfronts, and surf. Some prerequisites to get it are to have a minimum of 15 years of age, the Bronze Cross certification, and a Standard First Aid from the Canadian National First Aid, Canadian Red Cross Society, Canadian Group Emergency Training Inc, or other approved agencies in Canada.
- Red Cross Water Safety Instructor
The Red Cross Water Safety Instructor is a swimming instructing program regulated and certified primarily through the Canadian Red Cross.
It helps swimming instructors and coaches develop competence in group management, teaching methods, evaluation, safety supervision, leadership, and communication skills. This program is also designed to provide further training in injury prevention, progressive learning, and a professional development session. If you are interested in applying, you must have a current Water Safety Instructor award with an expiration date of two years.
Do you have to be certified to teach swim lessons?
Even if it is not mandatory to be certified to teach swimming lessons in Canada, instructors and coaches must be qualified to teach the proper techniques to help their trainees improve their swimming abilities and keep them safe in the water.
There are a bunch of organizations in Canada that will help you gain a certification to teach and more if you already have some years of experience in swimming. One is the Canadian Red Cross, where swim instructor training is provided. Also, if you are interested in getting a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), or an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), you can check out an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) provider.
According to The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC), swim instructors or coaches are not regulated in Canada. This means that even if swimming instructors are not an occupation controlled by provincial and territorial law or governed by a regulatory body, it is still highly recommended that you obtain the necessary certifications to keep yourself as up-to-date and prepared as possible.
Discover what Can you Earn as a Swimming instructor in Canada and the other careers you can have as a swimming coach.
Does a swimming teacher's qualification expire?
Yes. In Canada, most of the certifications mentioned above have a duration of no more than two years since, in this way, swimming instructors and coaches keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date through the completion of continuing professional development.
Upon completing a certification program, swimming instructors will be certified for two years, allowing them to teach swimming programs and involve themselves professionally in the field without direct supervision.
Once the certification has expired, it will also be possible for you to follow a recertification course every two years, as is the case of the Water Safety Instructor (WSI) course and the Red Cross Swim programs.
Here you have learned a bit about what qualifications you need to work as a swimming instructor; however, take advantage of which skills will make your professional profile outstanding!
Becoming Swimming instructor: where to start?
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