Swimming is an essential skill, especially in coastal communities. We explore the joys of being a swimming teacher
Words Sarah Lloyd
For residents of Britain’s seaside towns, the relationship with water runs deeper than mere geography. For generations, the sea has shaped both identity and livelihood. Swimming teachers stand at this crucial intersection, transforming potentially dangerous waters into a source of joy, health and connection.
This special breed of teacher nurtures not just confident swimmers but a community’s profound connection to the waters that shape their identity. Swimming instructors aren’t merely teachers; they’re guardians of tradition, safety ambassadors and vital threads in the social fabric that binds these coastal towns together.
At 62, Julie Maver embodies the multifaceted role swimming teachers play in coastal life. She has spent two decades teaching at Active Life – the leading health and leisure provider serving Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable – and her influence ripples throughout the local community, from the pool to the sea and beyond.
Beyond the Poolside
As an experienced swimming teacher and National Open Water Coach, Julie has been instrumental in running Active Life’s essential sea safety courses – programmes that can mean the difference between life and death.
‘Understanding coastal currents isn’t optional here,’ says Julie, ‘it’s fundamental. Our beginners and intermediate sea swimming courses take lessons from the pool into the sea. What distinguishes coastal swimming instructors is our expanded mission. Yes, we teach standard stroke techniques, but being so close to the sea makes it essential to incorporate sea safety into our learn-to-swim programmes at an early stage.’
The statistics underline this vital importance. According to the Royal Life Saving Society, coastal water incidents claim dozens of lives annually, with many victims unaware of local maritime conditions. Swimming teachers like Julie form the first line of defence against these tragedies.
Julie recently launched an innovative adult swimming course, Moving for Health, after recognising a significant need among adults to develop coping strategies for water anxiety before they can successfully learn to swim.
The programme combines four pool sessions with two sea sessions at Whitstable during the summer and covers everything from basic submersion and water confidence to understanding sea conditions and managing waves. The subsidised course cost is just £15, with local healthcare providers also being able to refer patients as part of their mental health support plans.
Community Cornerstone
When Julie isn’t poolside, she’s organising the swimming leg of the Oysterman Triathlon or assisting with Herne Bay’s popular Pier to Pier swim challenge. She’s also a fixture in Whitstable’s Bluetits open water swimming group – an inclusive, free-to-join social swim community which has grown worldwide to over 150 groups run by 300 volunteers. Along Britain’s coastline, these groups have flourished, creating communities within communities.
‘These activities represent so much more than exercise – they’re vital, supportive wellbeing networks, particularly important in remote coastal areas or when moving to a new location,’ says Julie.
‘I’ve made wonderful friends and connections through swimming: from my Bluetits group and leisure centre colleagues to the families I’ve taught. It’s rewarding to see the children I taught to swim 20 years ago bringing their own children to my lessons. Being a swimming teacher has embedded me into the Whitstable community, and by teaching lessons that will hopefully keep everyone safe, I’m giving something back.’
A Career Making Waves
Being a swimming teacher has a remarkable satisfaction rate. Swim England, one of the sport’s governing bodies in the UK, reports that an impressive 96% of swimming teachers love their work. It offers a meaningful career path, especially for those seeking escape from the rat race while embracing coastal living.
‘Why move to a coastal town to be stuck in front of a laptop?’ says Julie. ‘Being a swimming teacher is incredibly rewarding, and I love that no day is the same.’
The flexible hours particularly suit coastal living, where seasonal economies often necessitate ‘portfolio’ careers. Many find teaching swimming complements their primary occupation, retirement, caring responsibilities or studying, allowing them to remain professionally active while maintaining the work-life balance that drew them to live by the sea in the first place. Qualified instructors are well paid and always in high demand, making it an attractive option for those seeking meaningful work.
Now, after decades of teaching thousands to learn to swim, Julie has embarked on her next mission: becoming an Institute of Swimming Tutor to train the next generation of swimming teachers. She says, ‘I love the idea that each new teacher I train potentially impacts thousands of future swimmers, creating ripples that will spread across generations.’
Becoming a swimming teacher
For those seeking meaningful, flexible work in Britain’s coastal towns, becoming a swimming teacher can offer the chance to have a profound community impact combined with personal fulfilment – swimming teachers don’t just make waves, they help entire communities to navigate them.
To learn more about the Institute of Swimming’s Swim England Swimming Teacher Qualifications and continuing professional development options such as Open Water Leader certification, visit instituteofswimming.org.
To find out more about The Bluetits, visit thebluetits.co
