Water Safety Instructor Blended Learning March 10-12, 2025 Location: Spring Branch Natatorium (View Map)



Blended Learning Water Safety Instructor Course Information 

This course gives one the Water Safety Instructor certification.  This allows you to teach American Red Cross swimming lessons as well as many water safety courses. To teach swimming lessons with Sweetwater Pools, Inc. you must be WSI certified.

Please look for instructions on how to complete the blended learning portion of the class. The email you used to create your account will be the one that I use on the Red Cross site. The Blended Learning takes around 8 hours for this course so please plan accordingly.

If you have any questions please call the Sweetwater Pools Office at 281-988-8480 during business hours.  

Course Site:

Spring Branch Natatorium

10404 Tiger Trail

Houston, TX 77043

Course Overview

This course is not designed to teach you basic-level swimming skills. It is dedicated to developing the knowledge and skills you will need to plan and teach courses in the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program.

To be an effective Water Safety instructor, you must become completely familiar with all of the program materials used as part of this class. You will be required to complete multiple practice-teaching assignments which will give you experience in presenting information and teaching skills to other course participants.

Course Schedule

Your course is scheduled to meet as follows:

Day 1: Monday, March 10, 2025

Day 2: Tuesday March 11 2025

Day 3: Wednesday March 12 2025 

Class time is 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day. These times may be adjusted based on speed of the class so please be prepared for the possibility of extended time if needed.

Attendance is mandatory for all dates listed and times of the course enrolled in.

Course Prerequisites

Age - Participants must be 16 years of age before the last scheduled day of the course.

Swim Test - At the beginning of the first day of class, all participants must take a “pre-course swim test.” You must perform the following skills and swim the following strokes consistent with American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim Level 4 Stroke Performance Criteria:

a.Front crawl (“Freestyle”) – 25 yards

b.Back crawl (“Backstroke”) – 25 yards

c.Breaststroke – 25 yards

d.Elementary Backstroke – 25 yards

e.Sidestroke – 25 yards

f.Butterfly – 15 yards

g.Maintain a position on Back for 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling)

h.Tread water for one minute.

If you arrive at class and cannot pass the swimming test listed above, you will not be allowed to continue in that class.

Recently, there have been several participants that have had some difficulty completing the pre course swimming test listed above. Please practice if it has been a while since you have been in the water performing the skills listed above

Homework to Be Completed Away From the Pool

Please be prepared for each session. There is a large amount of information that must be learned throughout this course. You are expected to complete each of the following homework assignments either before the first class session or between each of the scheduled class days.

Prior to First Class Session

• Download and print copies of the two main manuals used in the WSI class. Please let me know if you would like me to print the manuals for a price to be determined soon. The downloads are available once you have created your ARC Learning Center account.

2.FromWater Safety Instructor’s Manual you downloaded:

a.Review the Stroke Performance Charts for Front/Back Crawl and Breaststroke

b.Chapter 1 (General Program Administration)

c.Chapter 2 (Promoting Effective Leaning)

d.Chapter 3 (Holding and Support Techniques)

e.Chapter 4 (Water Safety Concepts)

f.Chapter 5(Read Teaching People of Different Ages)

g.Chapter 7 (Parent and Child Aquatics)

h.Chapter 8 (Preschool Aquatics)

i.Chapter 9 (Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-6)

3.From Swimming and Water Safety

a.Chapter 1

b.Chapter 2

c.Chapter 3

d.Chapter 4 (Hydrodynamic Principles)

e.Chapter 5 (Basic Aquatic Skills)

f.Chapter 6 (Basic Swimming Strokes)

4.Read drills and games on the Water Safety Instructor Candidate’s page on Instructor’s Corner

Between the First and Second Class Days

1.From Water Safety Instructor’s Manual

a.Review the Stroke Performance Charts for Butterfly, Elementary Backstroke and Sidestroke

  b.Chapter 3 (Holding and Support Techniques)

c.Chapter 5(Read Teaching People of Different Ages)

d.Chapter 9 (Learn-to-Swim Levels 1-6) (Entries for Swimming and Turns

2.From Swimming and Water Safety

a.Chapter 4 (Review Hydrodynamic Principles)

b.Chapter 5 (Basic Aquatic Skills)

c.Chapter 6 (Review Basic Swimming Strokes)

d.Chapter 7 (Entries for Swimming and Turns

e.Chapter 8 (Diving)

3.Read drills and games on the Water Safety Instructor Candidate’s page on Instructor’s Corner

4.Read Longfellow WHALE Tales Program Materials

5.Instructor Candidates who were assigned Front Crawl, Back Crawl or Breaststroke will present you mini-practice teaching assignment next week. You are expected to prepare a mini-lesson plan for a teaching activity, drill, or game specific to your assigned stroke. You should use resources on the Instructor Candidates page of Instructor’s Corner or any other swimming reference. The plan should be in writing and should include relevant information such as class organization, safety considerations, a brief description of the activity and the key cue words or question trees. You should plan on having 5 minutes to lead your activity, drill, or game.

6.Prepare written lesson plans for practice teaching assignment.

Between the Second and Third/Final Class Day

 1.From Water Safety Instructor’s Manual

a.Review the Stroke Performance Charts for Butterfly, Elementary Backstroke and Sidestroke

b.Chapter 1 (Review General Program Administration)

  c.Chapter 2 (Review Promoting Effective Leaning)

d.Chapter 3 (Holding and Support Techniques)

e.Chapter 5(Review Teaching People of Different Ages)

f.Chapter 6 (Review Teaching People Who Move, Learn, Communicate or Behave Differently)

g.Chapter 7 - 9 (Review Administrative Information regarding the different programs)

  h.Chapter 8 (Preschool Aquatics)

i.Chapter 12 (Recognizing and Rewarding Achievement)

3.Prepare written lesson plans for practice teaching assignments.

Requirements for Course Certification

Course completion certification will be awarded to instructor candidates who:

    a.Successfully complete the Pre-Course swimming session

    b.Complete all on-line sections

c.Attend class every day

d.Successfully perform all practice-teaching assignments

e.Pass the written exam with a score of 80% or higher (40 out of 50 questions).

You must also demonstrate maturity and responsibility throughout the course. These qualities are demonstrated by, among other things:
       a.Arriving at class on time and be prepared.
       b.Paying attention to the instructor trainer and staying engaged in class activities.
       c.Returning from breaks on time.
       d.Being prepared for class activities, such as dressed in swim wear when required.
       e.Completing homework assignments, including preparing written lesson plans.
       f.Demonstrating that effort was put forth toward homework assignments.
       g.Behaving appropriately during activities.
       h.Providing appropriate feedback, as requested, especially to peers after practice-teaching assignments.
       i.Receiving feedback from the instructor trainer as well as peers in a professional manner.
         j.Making an effort to improve your skills.

    k. Treating others with respect.

Please bring the following to class each day to be prepared for successful completion of the WSI Course :

·One or two 3-ring binders (1.5 to 2 inch) to put your teaching materials into or an electric copy of the class materials and a small folder for any material you receive.

·A swimsuit – preferably 2 or more

• A towel – preferably 2 or more

• 2 pens

• Snacks & drinks

• Sweatshirt or jacket (Some prior participants have complained about the temperature of the pool area.)

If you have any questions regarding this training, please DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL as it will not be routed to anyone. Please contact the Aquatics Department by calling (281) 988-8480 or by emailing aquatics@sweetwaterpoolsinc.com.

Thank you,

Aquatics Department

Sweetwater Pools, Inc.

281-988-8480