The Volunteer Instructor Leadership Program

When I was 13, I was allowed to participate in a program through a pool in Langley (Al Anderson Memorial) called Sharks. This program was a two-week intensive (5 days a week from 8 am – 4 pm) where a group of us who had completed our swimming levels and were interested in being future swim instructors or lifeguards got to be in lessons, learn about how to teach, planning a community event and also learned how to work as a team, write lesson plans and practice life-saving skills. It was the best two weeks of my life. 

This program was offered then as two different groups; minnows, typically 10-12 years of age and Sharks, who were 13-16 years of age. Over Covid, this program disappeared and is now returning, but I wanted to offer something to the Abbotsford area that would be similar but also different.

This program has never been offered in any of the Abbotsford pools or to individuals as a one-on-one training program. I do not teach the traditional style of Lifesaving skills; I teach kids how to survive and save others. Kids can get themselves in trouble, and knowing how to get themselves out of it is crucial. That is why I believe in developing safety skills and confidence in children. I want to do this in the future instructor as well. I want to help give them the confidence and passion for teaching swimming so they see the same successes and experience the same joy I have had.

Furthermore, I want to raise the next generation to understand that everyone learns differently. We need to give this opportunity to all our learners, and the public pools still push a one size fits all model. We can do better. My mentees can help the system do better.

This is why I will work with them on being ready to take future courses and teaching to the individual rather than a prescribed system.