WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?
This swimming coaching placement gives you the chance to develop young swimmers in South Africa. Although there are opportunities to coach provincial level swimmers, the main focus is on the government’s Learn-to-Swim campaign, teaching youngsters the techniques to stay safe in the pool and on the beach. You will also receive an official Lifeguard Award (accredited by Life Saving South Africa) as part of this placement.
Swim coaches visiting South Africa can get involved at different levels of the sport, but the main focus is working with children from township communities. The government subsidises swimming lessons for township schools so that pupils can receive lessons at local pools. However, there is still a lack of swim instructors and general assistants to help supervise the sessions.
Whether you have recognised qualifications, or simply enjoy swimming and interacting with kids, there is a place for you. The age of the swimmers ranges from 5 to 12 and there is a variety of abilities. You will therefore have the option of helping children learn to swim from the first time they have set foot in a pool or coaching experienced children who swim for their provincial side. You can therefore take on as much responsibility as you feel your expertise allows.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
You will work alongside qualified instructors. This will enable you to develop your own confidence and build relationships with the children. From here, you will continue to assist the instructors but have the opportunity to take your own sessions. As you determine the abilities and potential of individual swimmers, you can introduce your own ideas and even offer some one to one tuition. However, the qualified local staff will always be in attendance to oversee the sessions. Whether you end up coaching provincial swimmers or taking newcomers to the beach for the first time, your contribution to South African swimming will live on long after you return home.
Please note that coaching takes place in outdoor pools and is therefore affected by occasional bad weather, on average one day every 1-2 weeks. If a coaching session is cancelled, you are welcome to join other coaching placements in the area or simply use the free time for personal relaxation. Please make your Frontier Volunteer Coordinator aware of your preferences for your second choice sport.