It has been a crazy few months working behind the scenes! Here is a quick update covering everything from database improvements to the launch of our brand new training workbook.
Program Updates & Tools Under Development
We've been busy improving the infrastructure that supports swim programs. Here are some of the major updates:
Online Swim Database Enhancements
- Attendance System: We’ve created a complete attendance system for swim teams. Now, you can click a button to have all records auto-update and use simple checkboxes to mark who was at practice. This makes tracking total practices and dates much easier.
- App Development: We created a 500 Mile Swim Club app! This is perfect for opening registration for your lap swimmers. They can add their yards, meters, or miles, and when they hit certain tiers, they get rewards that you choose.
- Developmental Practices: We've been doing some exciting things with Halloween and a BONUS board. I’ve found that onboarding new swimmers is a big challenge and created most of the stress when coaching. Fall tends to be the worst because it is when we have a HUGE influx of new swimmers. I’m still of the mind that we move everyone that is new to swimming in a holding group called, “Beginners,” regardless of ability. This allows them to learn our nuance, where they learn our routines, and then can be transitioned into other ability-based groups after having a baseline language and format understanding.
Introducing the New Swim Instructor Training Workbook
This is the big news! I’ve been working hard on our new training workbook. It takes a lot of effort to compile a comprehensive book that will genuinely help your staff teach swim lessons. If you have used the first book, you will notice significant improvements in images, drawing, updates, and overall cleaner format.
What's Inside?
This workbook is designed to be a practical reference guide for professional teachers. The first half covers essential skills, highlighting 15 core swim skills that take a beginner all the way to mastery.
The new section, Section 2, is dedicated to “How to teach swimming.” Here, we dive into crucial details like removing filler words from your sentences and mastering command language. We also provide detailed guidance on setting up your class using benches, handling crying kids, and most importantly, how to earn trust from your participants to be an effective teacher.
The hardest part of writing this was making it both concise and broad enough for different facilities. While what works in our small facility might not translate perfectly to a large multi-pool program, we have added many new hand-drawn images to help illustrate complicated items, keeping the book reasonable in price.
Why This Workbook Matters for Your Program
This training workbook is designed to make the process of training new staff significantly easier and more effective. Training staff isn't just about passing a test; it’s about demonstrating competence and building confidence.
Moving Beyond the Test
I am not a huge fan of the “test” for certification. Requiring a test to certify someone as a competent teacher doesn't guarantee they have retained the information we taught them. It only proves they memorized enough to pass on that specific day.
Instead, this workbook focuses on practical application. For example, how do you work into a conversation on deck or in an in-service about using imagery in your teaching language? Most teens aren't going to respond well to being told to speak vividly while they are in the water struggling to get Johnny to stay on the bench.
We recommend using this section on “using Imagery” as a guide for your next in-service. Pay close attention to the “Discussion Items” provided—these are intended to provoke real conversation and thought from your staff. Use this material for ongoing training. If you run a large class of new hires through this workbook, have them take notes on the discussion points in their own copies.
A Structured Learning Path
The book is designed to be worked through in order:
- Phase 1: Start with a big info dump (the essential skills).
- Phase 2: Delve into the nuance of teaching swimming (what language to use, how to set up benches, and how to organize your class).
Ultimately, you should care about this because you want successful staff that does more than the bare minimum. One of the main challenges facing swim staff in America is the shortage of high-quality staff. Many programs are cash-strapped and fight with their boards to provide a reasonable wage for their employees. Competence takes time and money, and your participants expect high-quality results.
Our workbook gives you a clear, concise, image-laden book that your staff can reference and learn from without added stress or effort on your part.
When Will It Go Live?
I’m not certain yet! I’m hoping to finish the final sections in November, update the formatting, and insert the final forms for sample <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.swimminglessonsideas.com/shop/" title="lesson plans" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">lesson plans</a> and worksheet answers.
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