Im looking for a swimming instructor or life guard to answer some questions for a uni project im doing, the questionnaire is below. Thanks :o)


Why did you decide to teach people how to swim as a career?

Why should we learn to swim?

Do you think it is an important skill for everyone to have? (if yes, is there enough awareness?)

How do you feel when you know you have taught someone to swim?

What do you do on in average days work?

Do you think swimming should have enough coverage as other sports? for example magazines, tv, newspaper pages etc.

l am not a professional, but I've saved my brother from drowning!

Hi- l am a swim instructor.

1. l decided to be a swim teacher because l swam competitively since l was 6, & informally helped others with their swimming throughout the years. It was not until became a mum that l decided to do the AUSTSWIM course thinking l could teach my own kids, then get a job that l could organise around the kids while still mostly staying at home with them.

2. Water survival skills in a country where water is a big part of our culture is very important. We r surounded by water (pools, dams, oceans, drain systems, water tanks etc), so having children know basic survial skills like treading, floating etc could be enought to save their life. Swimming is a fun leisure activity, & those who can not swim r missing out on something that many other people enjoy.

3. Of course l think its an important skill that everyone should learn. My reasons r above. l think its great that there is more exposure for 'learn to swim' & 'water safety' these days (eg: do the 5), but there also needs to be more. For example, warnings on planes for tourists coming to the country who do not understand the conditions of our oceans currents.

4. It makes me feel like I've made a difference, knowing that the skill l have taught could potentially save a life.

5. My average days work for me lately has been taking school groups. l do 5x 1/2 hour classes of primary school kids, 3 days a week. My classes r beginners learning the basics (kicking, streamline, some arms & some diving & basic survival). Because they r school groups each student is not getting as much time & focus on them as they would in a 'learn to swim' class, as they r school groups & have more kids than a nomal class would have.

6. l think competitive swimming gets pretty good coverage these days- especially when Australia is doing well.

l hope I've answered ur questions ok.