🏊‍♀️ Teaching Swimming is More Than Technique—It’s Transforming Confidence

Dr Zied Abbes
Apr 24
2 min read

When we think of swimming lessons, we often picture the strokes, the drills, the structure. But as I’ve learned—and shared in my book “How to Become a Great Swimming Teacher”—the real magic of teaching swimming goes far deeper.

You’re not just teaching someone to float, kick, or breathe correctly. You’re guiding them through fear, building trust, and helping them unlock a new level of self-confidence.

🟦 Great Teachers Are More Than Instructors

In the water, learners are vulnerable. They’re stripped of their usual environment, and every splash or missed breath can feel overwhelming—especially for beginners. That’s why the role of a swimming teacher isn’t just to deliver technique—it’s to lead with empathy and adapt to the emotional needs of each swimmer.

Key Traits of a Great Swimming Teacher:

✅ They observe more than they speak.

✅ They know when to encourage and when to correct.

✅ They design lessons not around themselves, but around the learner’s pace.

✅ And most importantly—they build confidence first, skills second.

🟦 Teaching vs. Coaching: A Subtle but Powerful Shift

One of the concepts I highlight in the book is the difference between teaching and coaching. While both are essential in the aquatic journey, the early stages of swimming are best served by teachers who can nurture, break down fear, and create a joyful learning experience.

Coaching may come later—when the swimmer seeks performance. But teaching lays the foundation, both mentally and physically.

🟦 Swimming is a Lifelong Skill—And a Lifesaving One

Let’s not forget: swimming is one of the few sports that directly relates to life safety. It’s not optional. Everyone, regardless of age, should have the opportunity to learn it—and to learn it from someone who takes the role seriously.

That’s why I wrote “How to Become a Great Swimming Teacher”: to raise the standard of teaching, to inspire more passionate instructors, and to remind us that this role is about more than just lessons—it’s about changing lives.