Teach adults to swim
Become a certified swimming instructor
50% of adults don’t know how to swim. It’s time we change that.
Adults have unique questions, concerns, experiences, and maybe even fears about the water!! That means adult swim classes need to be approached in an entirely different way.
- Use our proven system to successfully teach adults to swim.
- Understand how mindset controls performance – and how to help students shift it.
- Learn to break down movements into small, intentional parts that are easy to understand.
- Know exactly how to respond to every question and concern!
The Program
This program goes far beyond telling students
how to move their arms and legs.
Foundational Theory for Teaching Adults Physical Skills
Foundations for Change: Learn to Swim in 6-Session Course
Putting it
All Together
Bonus Lessons
DEI In Swimming
Trauma-Informed Teaching
Student Experiences
What's the word on the program
Words cannot express how grateful I am to Orca Swim School. I just finished the 3 day Foundations course this past weekend and I feel like I’m a different person. Learning to swim was one of my life goals since I didn’t learn when I was a child. At 60 years old, I thought I may have to give up. But then I found Orca Swim School and when I heard they were doing these classes in Portland, which is closer to my home, I took it as a sign to finally face my fears of deep water and sign up. All the lessons I’ve taken as an adult failed me because it didn’t address my fear of the deep water. After taking these classes with Cori as my instructor, I am now more comfortable in the water because I now know how the water holds me up and able to change my thought process which helps with dealing with my fear. Cori made the classes fun – which I never ever experienced that feeling of fun in the water EVER. By the last day, I was able to confidently jump into the deep end of the pool and swim back to the side of the pool – I COULDN’T STOP SMILING!!!! What I also loved is the complete understanding you receive from the instructors that as an adult, you are not weird for not knowing how to swim — there are many people like me that don’t know but haven’t found these classes. For anyone out there reading this and considering taking the plunge, PLEASE DO. It will change your life. THANK YOU CORI, and ORCA SWIM SCHOOL! I am forever grateful!!!
The 3-Day Learn to Swim Retreat was transformational. I went from being anxious and tense in the water to neutral and relaxed. I better understand how my body moves in water, how to conserve energy, how to get air when I need it, and am building healthy foundational skills.
I highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to feel safer in water, and more confident in their body and its capacities in water.
First of all, this has been the best learning experience I have had as a new beginner swimmer. I was skeptical at first but so glad I took the leap of faith to enroll. I just competed Foundations 1 classes this past weekend with instructor Karen who is phenomenal! I would also like to acknowledge Jack who helped out the first week. The class number is only 4 people which makes learning easy and enjoyable. I am more comfortable in the water and will continue building on the skills I have acquired. I would definitely recommend anyone looking for adult swimming classes to check out Orca Swim! Thank you again!
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This training gives you all the steps you need to be a highly qualified swim teacher for adults. You need to know how to swim, be able to get a Lifeguard certificate, have the desire to help others, and come with an openness to learn something new.
You should expect to learn the psychology behind the emotions of fear, panic, curiosity, and excitement and how to harness each of these emotions to help adults learn. This will be applied to the detailed steps of swimming. You’ll learn our proven system of guiding students to swim successfully.
Our 12-week course is released weekly and includes virtual lessons alongside in-the-water homework. Some lessons will require you to video yourself teaching so that we can provide you with tangible feedback.
Absolutely! Click here to join our email list for a free mini course and to be notified when our cohorts are announced. Be sure to add us to your safe senders list so these emails don’t swim into your spam folder!
You need to be able to swim. This means you can move from one point to another with comfort and ease while getting air and rest – regardless of where the side, bottom, or shore is located. You are able to return to calm when something unexpected happens. Finally, you need to be able to get a Lifeguarding certificate.
We hold Instructor Training twice each year, in spring and fall. To get notified when the next cohort opens for applications, click here!
This is the exciting part! After you complete the Instructor Training, you can open your own adult swim practice or work for a public pool.
Yes! We love keeping our students up-to-date. Each Spring and Fall, we hold meetings for all certified instructors to offer continuing education, present case study reviews, and answer your questions about teaching or running your business! Additionally, you can participate in advanced additional business training if you choose to open your own practice.