Becoming a swimming coach is popular across the UK. Nothing quite beats the thrill of a competitive race, and so swimmers often decide to become coaches after calling time on their competitive careers.

But it’s not just a former swimmer that ends up becoming a swimming coach; there are plenty of British coaches with no previous experience of competitive swimming.
What they all do have however, is an unrelenting drive, competitiveness and will to be the best they can be.

To become a swimming teacher or coach with Scottish Swimming, you must hold a United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC) qualification at the appropriate level and discipline.

UKCC aquatics courses/qualifications are currently available in the following areas:

  • Levels 1 and 2 in Teaching Aquatics
  • Levels 1, 2 and 3 in Coaching Swimming
  • Levels 1 and 2 in Coaching Water Polo
  • Levels 1 and 2 in Coaching Synchronised Swimming
  • Levels 1 and 2 in Coaching Diving

There are three levels of ASA qualification to progress through which are summarized below:

  • The first level of qualification focuses on how and what to coach. Once completed, coaches are qualified to actively support a more senior qualified or licensed coach at any level, in the delivery of a pre-prepared session. You must be 16+ years of age when the course finishes to take it.
  • To coach on your own, you will be required to hold an ASA Level 2 Certificate. This qualification will provide you with the skills and knowledge to effectively plan, prepare, deliver, monitor and evaluate coaching sessions. You must be 17 + years of age before the course begins.
  • The ASA Level 3 Certificate is the route to becoming a senior coach. It will enable you to plan, implement, analyse and revise annual coaching programmes to get the most out of your athletes. You must be 18 + years of age before the course begins.

If you are interested in becoming a swimming coach, please talk to one of the coaches to find out more. Further details are also found at Scottish Swimming Coaching