British Triathlon is delighted to announce the launch of a brand new and industry leading qualification, developed between British Triathlon, the ASA and Swim Smooth - the Level 2 Award in Coaching Open Water Swimming (QCF), awarded by the ASA.
The qualification provides Level 2 triathlon and swimming coaches the specialist knowledge to deliver coaching sessions in an open water environment, raising the quality of delivery and ensuring the safe and effective practice in such a specialist area. It is also supported by SkillsActive as a high quality and specialised qualification and accredited onto the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).
To complete this qualification coaches will need to hold either an ASA Level 2 Swimming Coach or 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Triathlon qualification.
British Triathlon Coaching Development Manager, Paul Moss said: “Working in partnership with the ASA and Swim Smooth in the creation of an Open Water Coaching pathway is an important addition to the current qualifications on offer in the British Triathlon coaching system. This innovative, industry leading partnerhip is a first for both British Triathlon and the ASA, and will be a qualification that will strengthen what our coaches will have to offer to triathletes of all abilities. We look forward to working with both the ASA and Swim Smooth in the implementation and ongoing development of this qualification and the career pathway in open water coaching.”
ASA/ British Swimming Workforce Projects and Partnership Manager, Kelly Gaffney said: “At a time when swimming in open water has had a lot of publicity and is rapidly growing in terms of participation, swimming and triathlon coaches now have the an excellent opportunity to be formally recognised for their knowledge, skills and safe practice. For the first time, two National Governing Bodies of sport have come to together with a common objective, tying in with our experts as Swim Smooth the project has been a successful collaboration which we hope will continue for many years to come.”
Adam Young and Paul Newsome from Swim Smooth said: “Coaching open water swimming has long been a passion of ours at Swim Smooth and we’re very excited to be contributing our coaching methods and resources to the creation of this unique new qualification. Thanks to the strength of this partnership between the ASA, British Triathlon and ourselves, the learner pathway is going to make a huge contribution to the standard of coaching available to open water swimmers and triathletes across the UK.”
Eligible coaches can book their place on the programme where they will gain access to the pre-course eLearning and portfolio system to learn and reflect in their own environments and at their own pace, followed by a face to face assessment day at one of the following locations:
- Friday 20 September - National Watersports Centre, Nottingham
- Sunday 22 September - Parc Bryn Bach, Tredegar, South Wales
- Friday 27 September - Beach at Bude/ Bude Sea Pool, Cornwall
- Friday 4 October - The Blue Lagoon, Womersley, North Yorkshire
These will be the only courses running in 2013. Due to the season of participation in open water in the UK, further courses will be made available in 2014 where coaches will be able to complete their eLearning over the winter months, completing their attendance at an assessment day in Spring/Summer 2014.
All days will be 9.00 - 4.00pm and for further details or to book please click here
