Watersport Instructor Jobs
Teaching water sports is quite different to teaching sports on dry land. You aren't just developing people's abilities in the sport or activity itself, you are also developing their confidence to do the sport in or on the water.
One of the biggest rewards when teaching water sports is seeing the confidence grow in people who have perhaps never been active on the water before. A lot of people lack confidence when they are in and around water. When you take part in sports on land, you don’t think about the land at all, whereas when it comes to watersports, as well as the activity, a lot of consideration is given to the water itself. Part of your job as a water sports instructor is building the confidence of the people you are instructing so that they become less nervous about the water, and can concentrate more on the activity itself.
Let us have a look at the types of water sports on offer. The first group of activities are more obvious and mainstream than others and a qualification in these could offer more opportunities for employment. Swimming and diving, sailing, yachting, canoeing and kayaking, rowing, windsurfing, body boarding and surfing.
Slightly more specialist watersports include jetski, waterskiing and wakeboarding, snorkeling, white water rafting, parasending and kite surfing. Specialist qualifications for these activities do exist, even for newer activities like kite surfing: britishkitesurfingassociation.co.uk
We spoke to Mark from Swansea who took a Windsurfing Trainer Course two years ago.
"I spent a couple of summers working in Greece as a holiday rep and got talking to some of the guys who were running the beach activities. They were clearly having a blast and I asked them how they got into it. My plan was to get the qualification in the UK then head out to the Med to soak up the sun, but in the end I stopped here in sunny Swansea. The centre has an AALA licence so we get groups of kids on adventure holidays coming down to the coast to learn how to windsurf and kayak. The bay has perfect conditions for windsurfing as we have beaches facing various directions so we can adapt to the wind direction."
"The training course itself lasted six days and is recognized by the Royal Yatching Association. I’d say this is the thing to look for, RYA level. I had been taught the basics before I went on the course, as some will require a basic level of competence. Some even require certificates from more basic courses. The training was probably 70% on the water and 30% theory, on land. I came out with the qualification that allows me to teach windsurfing at registered RYA centres. And that’s what I do. I love it."
 Camp Counselor Country: USA Work in a US Summer camp with CCUSA teaching the sport/activity that you love and get paid up to US$1,390. You could be coaching Tennis, Basketball, Climbing, Horse riding, Sailing and much more, or maybe you have a lifeguarding qualification. Whatever your skill we’ll find the perfect job for you...[more] | Summer Camp Staff Country: USA This summer how exciting would it be to work in a summer camp in America instead of the facing another rainy British summer? It’s free to apply and our salaries are the highest available so if the thought of working in a summer camp in America fills you with excitement then check us out...[more] |
 26 Week Watersports Cadetship Country: UK Professional Watersports Training– ‘From novice to instructor’. Our Watersports Cadetship is the ultimate, most respected and comprehensive watersports instructor-training package available at Rockley Academy, allowing those with no previous qualifications to become a highly respected instructor...[more] | 16 Week Watersports Instructor Country: UK, Egypt Plas Menai Watersports Instructor training course is ideal for anyone wanting to get into the watersports industry.During the course you will train as a multi-disciplined instructor in:- Dinghy Sailing, Windsurfing and Kayaking.These three qualifications are highly sought after by training centres....[more] |
Chef Country: France Rockley Watersports is looking to employ a Chef for our 2012 summer season. This is a fantastic opportunity to join one of the most highly regarded watersports training and holiday companies in Europe, and you'll get to spend the summer in South West france ...[more] |
Rafting, surfing, water skiing, sailing, windsurfing.
Dinghy Coach Location: Various Company: Royal Yachting Association
The Coach/Assessor course is for experienced Senior Instructors who also hold the Advanced Instructor endorsement. To be eligible for the course selection you should be a thoroughly competent sailor with good communication, motivation and leadership skills, good fleet management and coaching, with a positive, enthusiastic approach.
Sailing Improver Location: South West England Company: Rockley Watersports
RYA Level 3 - Better Sailing - This is a great weekend course that allows you to progress onto the RYA level 3 and is ideal preparation for the Intermediate course. Improver courses are all about consolidating your previously learnt skills and preparing for the intermediate course. These courses will give you the confidence to go out and sail a boat on your own.
Windsurfing Courses Location: South West England Company: Coverack
The holidays and courses are for all levels of windsurfing abilities, from the complete beginner to the advanced level windsurfer. We instruct and coach you at your own rate, in small groups (the maximum number of clients we take on a weekly course is 12), enabling us to keep the coaching and tuition personal.
ISA Level 1 Surfing Location: South West England Company: Ticket To Ride
The surf instructor course from Surfing GB (SGB) and the International Surfing Association (ISA) is the official qualification required for working as a surf instructor or surf coach in this country and Worldwide.