Swimming was always my go-to activity. After a long week of work, nothing cleared my mind like a quiet swim at the condo pool. I never thought much of it—until a parent at the pool asked if I gave lessons. That question stuck with me. A few weeks later, I found myself browsing online and came across a swimming instructor course. It felt random at first, but something told me to click in and read more.
What I found surprised me. This wasn’t just some crash course or weekend seminar. The swimming instructor course was structured, certified, and catered to Singapore’s unique needs. There was even a full refund policy if you didn’t get certified—so honestly, I felt like I had nothing to lose.
I decided to enrol quietly, just to see if I was up for it. From day one, I realised how much thought went into the programme. We weren’t just learning strokes—we were learning how to connect with students, how to handle fear, and how to teach with heart. This swimming instructor course was practical and very human-centred.
The instructors made it approachable too. Everyone came from different backgrounds. Some were fitness coaches, some were uni students, and a few, like me, were just everyday professionals who loved swimming. The flexibility of the swimming instructor course made it possible to attend without disrupting my weekday job.
One of the most eye-opening moments happened during a mock lesson. I was guiding a child who refused to put her face in the water. Instead of rushing, I remembered what our trainer said: “Go at their pace, not yours.” Within 15 minutes, she was laughing and splashing around. That’s when I saw the deeper value of the swimming instructor course.
After graduating, I began teaching part-time. The first few students came from listings on a website that also promoted the same swimming instructor course I completed. From there, I slowly built up a weekend schedule.
I even found new teaching opportunities while browsing community platforms. One site listed various swimming instructor course options and also allowed certified coaches to create profiles. That helped me reach parents looking for lessons in my area.
Interestingly, a parent contacted me after seeing my name under a course listing on an academic tuition site. Yes, a swimming instructor course showed up next to maths and science classes! It just goes to show how much swimming is being seen as an essential skill.
A few months later, I convinced a friend to join me. She found her swimming instructor course through a platform focused on condo-based training, and now we co-teach siblings who live in the same block.
I even came across that same swimming instructor course again on a portal I used during my JC days. Full circle moment.
If you’ve ever thought of doing something more with your weekends, or you’ve felt the urge to teach or guide others, I highly recommend this path. A swimming instructor course gave me the tools to make a difference—and turned my favourite weekend hobby into something so much more meaningful.
