Many factors can come into play when choosing the most suited swimming coach. We would not say there is a “best” as everyone’s need is different, and every coach also has his or her pros/cons.

Through our years of experience, these are the factors you should take careful note of:

1. Coaches’ Certifications and Accreditation
2. Coaches’ Unique Selling Point
3. Coaches’ Special Experience
4. Coaches’ Teaching Style
5. Reviews and Testimonials about the Coach
6. Students Objectives and Needs

Coaches’ Certification and Accreditation

Please do ensure your coach sends you his certifications. This includes:

• Compulsory Swimming Teaching Certification (Can be Local etc NROC, or International Cert such as AUSTSWIM or American Swimming Coaches Association) .

• Ensure that these certifications are certified by a recognised swimming association. There has been a rise of “in-house” coaching certifications that are not valid, and not recognised by any coaching association in the world. Hiring such coaches can put your child in great danger as it is akin to allowing an unlicensed driver to drive a car.

Valid First Aid+CPR and AED

Check for their expiry date and make sure there is an AED component. All sports coaches are supposed to have First Aid+CPR and AED as it would then give them sufficient skills to respond to dire conditions.

Lifesaving Awards and Bronze Medallions

It is not necessary for your coach to have these, but it is a major bonus to do so. This is because it would enable them to impart unique skills to the student in times of emergency. More importantly, it ensures they can save you in times of an emergency in the pool.

Bonus Supporting Certifications included in their resume

This can include having taught in a Ministry of Education school before. Or a certified sports instructor in other realms such as water polo or basketball. One could even look to a University Degree as important to the coaches’ eloquency.

Whatever it may be, cross check to ensure these documents they send you are certified by recognised associations. There has been too much of “in-house” certifications that have no basis nor internationally recognised! So we urge you to be careful!

Coaches Unique Selling Point

Every coach has their Unique Selling Point. These mainly are from two realms- Age and Type of lesson.

For age, they can be specialising in toddler swimming classes or kids swimming classes, to adult swimming lessons or special needs swimming lessons.

More often than not, a good coach is someone who is honest and would tell you truthfully the 1 or 2 category of classes he specialises in. No coach can be the master of all age groups or objectives, and that is why Private Swimming Lessons fit you the best-suited coach.

Other than age category, a coach can also be specialised in types of lessons. This can range from Open-Water Swimming, to Competitive Swimming, or even Rehabilitation Swimming and Swimming for Fitness.

Coaches’ Special Experiences

Some coaches have special experiences which not many others have. For instance, Swimray ‘s swim academy emphasises on selecting only coaches who have had experience working in stressful water environments. These can range from National Team Swimmers, Naval Divers, and Commando-Boat man.

These experiences give these coaches a unique edge in areas which the student may be interested in. For instance, a student enlisting in National Service would probably want to engage our military swimmers. While students who are learning to swim may prioritise coaches with Childhood Education background.

Coaches’ Teaching Styles

Do take note to also tell the coach what kind of teaching style suits your child or yourself. There are 3 main types of coaching styles, each catering to a different set of characteristics. Benefiting some and not helpful for others, it is important to take note of the coaches’ teaching style.

For instance a playful child would probably need a coach that is disciplinarian, while an adult student with water phobia before would need a patient coach who handholds every step of the course.

Reviews and Testimonials about the Coach

Nothing gives more reliability and assurance than a fellow customer’s Testimonials and Reviews. For instance, Swimray has one of the best reviews for private swimming lessons in Singapore. Do check out these reviews when you are assigned the coach. Better yet, request for a coach that you read that can suit your child or yourself.

Before selecting the coach, do give the profile of the review you based your decision on, a little check. Ensure that the account is viable and running.

Students’s Objectives and Needs

Whatever the coach may have, the most important is whether it suits the student’s objectives and needs. Hiring a private swimming coach is about enjoying the private attention and customization of a program the coach can adhere to you.

Thus you should definitely take into account what you are looking for, and match it to the above mentioned points. Find a match according to your needs, and you would be set for an enjoyable experience ahead.

Conclusion

Many parents or even themselves do not know what to look out for when choosing a private swimming coach. More often than note, they rely on just a singular website with good design, or the first one that pops up in their search engine. Word of mouth is also something people heavily rely on.

But does the coach really suit your needs and objectives? If you are looking for a fuss-free experience to match a coach to your needs, enquire with us!

Even if you do not, we plead with you to make an educated and thorough research as we have taught you how to. A coach can make or break a student’s initial swimming experience, and we hope that you or your kids can have the best swimming lessons that you deserve.

Call us, whatsapp us, or simply drop us an enquiry on our Contact Us Page. With our thorough and transparent match-making of coach, we promise an experience that suits you or your child the best!

If you are looking for swimming lesson at your nearest public swimming pool, SwimRay has short listed a few qualified National Registry of coaches that are professional and patient. Find out more from us !

Singapore Swimming Teacher Association is under the International Federation of Swimming Teacher Association. Structured training and prerequisite makes them one of the best training institute for swimming coaches.

AUSTSWIM Coaching Certificate is the most commonly seem swim coaching certificate in Singapore. Coaches that are trained under AUTSWIM have the opportunities to select their coaching path in future, such as Aquatic program, toddler and infant coaching programs.

Some of us from SwimRay are certified triathlon coaches or members under Triathlon Association Singapore. 

When it comes to open water swimming event such as triathlon swim or long distance swim - We are the one who understand the risk and are able to conduct training safely and professionally.

Singapore Life Saving Society is the official organisation that trains life guard. It's important for parents to engage coaches that are certified in life saving to ensure the safety of your child.

Hey there! My name is Ray and I am one of the co-owners of Swimray Private Swimming Lessons Singapore. My articles draw from my experiences during my time in the Naval Diving Unit in Singapore, and my experiences as a private swimming coach. I am also an avid traveler who is the author of Crazy Curious Traveller. Hope you enjoy my articles!