How to choose the best swim instructor?

No matter how good you can swim there is always some room for improvement. It is always a good idea to look take swimming lessons especially when you are a newbie in this field. Do you know how to choose the best swim instructor? Choosing the right swim school and swimming instructor is very critical because of the safety concerns involved. Here are some important points to take into consideration when choosing a swimming instructor.

• Always choose a certified and trained instructor- this is the first and foremost thing to check. A swimming instructor should have these below-mentioned qualifications
  • First Aid Certification
  • CPR Certification
  • Formal Swim Instructor Training/Certification
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• Check the teaching experience of the trainer- excelling in a sport doesn’t make someone a good instructor. The person might be a good swimmer but that does not necessarily mean they know how to teach someone to swim. It is best to choose an instructor who has at least 2 or more years of experience teaching as a trainer. This will ensure that they are knowledgeable and confident enough to provide lessons. A teacher with good experience knows how to work with different personalities, and different learning abilities and the students will be able to effectively learn how to swim.
• Check if the instructor is insured- this point is very important. Many a time due to cost constraints independent swim instructors do not take insurance coverage. This can drop a bid liability on you in case an accident occurs.
• Find the right instructor to suit your needs- make sure the swim instructor has enough experience of teaching the specific age, swim level as your child. You can also find an instructor with some expertise in certain areas like
  1. 1. Teaching experience of special need child
  1. Has experience of teaching infant, parents & tot
  2. Competitive swim coaching
  3. Private swim lessons
  4. Group lessons
  5. Specialized in skills like synchro, diving, etc.
  6. Fitness and endurance training

Determine the goals for the swim lessons and then choose the right swim instructor.

• Run a background check if available- you should consider getting done a background check on the swim instructor. This becomes even more necessary if they will be coming down to your house for the lessons. It is important to make sure that the instructor is responsible and trustworthy so that you feel comfortable when he/she is teaching your kid or you.
• Get an instructor’s personality sense- after you have checked all the above-mentioned points, it is very important to check if there is a good fit between the swimmer and the instructor’s personality. Some personality aspects to take note of are:
  1. Do you want a lenient or firm swim instructor?
  2. Does your child respond better to calm or high energy instructor?

• Do you want strict or calm swim lessons?-Find an instructor your child loves spending time with, the instructor and swimmer should have a strong bond. A strong bond enables the child to be more confident in the water, increases the eagerness to learn more and have fun at the same time.