top of page

Our Passion

Our Commitment
 
At Choppy Waters, our mission is to deliver high-quality, evidence-based training and support for the open water swimming community. Whether you are a new coach seeking guidance or an experienced mentor looking for advanced development, our centre is here to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities of open water coaching.
We deliver the Level 2 Award in Open Water Coaching. Our experts support those looking to gain a qualification approved by STA (Safety Training Awards), providing coaches and swimmers with the skills, knowledge, and techniques required for coaching open water swimming, enabling learners to effectively plan, deliver, and evaluate open water swimming sessions.
 
Target Learners
​​
Minimum age: 18 years old
Previous open water experience is required, typically with CV submission.

Mourne Open Water Coaching-50_websize.jpg

Dates of Course

 

2nd-4th July 2026

6-8th August 2026

3-5th September 2026


Cost of Course

£475.00

Payable on booking 

Contact: Colette@choppywaters.uk

Who is this course for?

This qualification is for people who love open water and want to coach swimmers safely and professionally in an open water environment.

 

Typical attendees include:

​

  • Swim club/triathlon club coaches looking to support or coach open water sessions

  • Outdoor/fitness professionals expanding into coached open water swimming

  • Club/squad coaches supporting swimmers from their first open water session through to event preparation

  • Providers, venues, and event staff who are building consistent and competent open water coaching deliver

  • Level 2 swim teachers/coaches moving into open water deliveryy

Pre-requisites

​

To attend this course, you must meet the prerequisites below. Eligibility must be confirmed before Day 1.

  • You must be aged 18 or over on the first day of the course.

  • You must already hold an eligible Level 2 qualification.

  • You must have ONE of the following:

  • Level 2 Swimming Teaching or Coaching qualification, OR

  • Level 2 Triathlon qualification

 

If you do not hold one of the above qualifications, you must complete the STA pre-course upskill course.

https://www.safetytrainingawards.co.uk/online-learning/qualification-programmes/open-water-swimming-coaching-pre-course-programme/

 

Open Water Swimming Experience Evidence (Required)

 

​You must provide evidence confirming that you are an open water swimmer (not just an occasional dipper).

Evidence can include:

  • A short CV-style summary of your open water swimming experience (where, when, and how often you swim, typical distances, and events), or

  • A witness statement confirming your open water swimming experience (including dates, locations, and typical distances), plus any relevant event history.

Outcomes

You will be able to plan, deliver, and evaluate open water swimming coaching sessions in environments where you have appropriate competence and experience.

 

         By the end of the course, you should be able to:

​

  • Plan structured open water sessions with clear aims and appropriate safety control measures.

Delivery Format

Course Format

Classroom:  Nautilus Centre, Rooney Road, Kilkeel BT34 4AG

 

Venue for practical assessment at Cranfield Blue Flag Beach, BT34 4LN situated approximately 4.5 miles south of Kilkeel

 

This is a practical, interactive course that prepares you for all aspects of open water swimming coaching—planning, coaching delivery, and evaluation—through a mix of short classroom blocks, group discussion, and coached open water delivery.

 

​

Assessment

Assessment, Certification & Resits

Assessment is tutor-led and designed to confirm that you can plan, deliver, and evaluate safe, structured open water coaching sessions.

Assessment includes:

  • Tutor-assessed theory

  • Tutor-assessed practical coaching sessions

  • Multiple-choice question paper (closed-book exam style)

  • Short written portfolio, including:

  • Session plans

  • Session evaluations

  • Risk assessments

Certification is awarded upon successful completion of all course requirements.

​

Resits:
 

If you do not meet the required standard in any element (including the MCQ pass mark), you may resit the required element(s) once only. Resits must be completed within six weeks of the course end date. Additional fees apply depending on what you need to resit (for example, MCQ only or practical reassessment). Resit fees are confirmed at the point of booking.

Suggested Kit

What to Bring (Classroom + Open Water)

 

This course is practical and coach-focused. There isn’t a single compulsory kit list because part of your role as a coach is adapting sessions to the kit swimmers actually have, the conditions on the day, and the venue setup.

Bring what you can from the list below. If you’re missing something, still attend—we’ll work with what’s available.

Theory / Classroom

  • Pens/pencils (a couple of colours is helpful)

  • Blank paper

  • Tablet/laptop (optional)

  • Clipboard or something firm to write on

  • Refreshments/snacks

In-Water Activities

  • Swimming costume/trunks (spares if you have them)

  • Wetsuit (if you use one)

  • Swim cap

  • Goggles

  • Suitable footwear for entering and working in water environments

  • Towels

  • Flip-flops/Crocs

Dry Land / Site Activity

  • Waterproofs

  • Appropriate footwear for site visits (some sites are rocky/uneven)

  • Warm layers (especially after in-water activities)

  • Hat, gloves, scarf

​

bottom of page