In light of the open water risks that have once again been highlighted in the recent and tragic Pembrokeshire paddleboarding court case we wanted to update and reassure all our participants and members on the coaching requirements for open water swimming, which are often in addition to pool-based swimming coaching qualifications.
Coaches and clubs should not coach or conduct open water swim sessions as part of Pentathlon coaching membership unless they have a current open water swimming coaching qualification and have evidenced this qualification to Pentathlon GB by providing us with the required documents. All registered coaches with Pentathlon GB, should upload their coaching certifications onto their Coach profile on Sport 80. This can be achieved by uploading the file to the ‘Qualifications’ section within your Sport:80 profile using the blue “+ Add Qualification” button. If you are unsure on whether your swim or lifeguarding qualification has met the requirements for open water swimming coaching/ safety, please check with the course provider/ issuer for clarification. These qualifications, along with all other coaching and welfare documents and licences form an essential part of our coaching provision.
If you wish to complete an open water swimming coaching qualification, we recommend either of the two courses signposted on this link.
In the meantime, if members wish to swim in open water swim sessions we recommend looking at managed venues. You can find sites on https://nowca.org/nowca-lake-directory/ or on https://www.swimming.org/openwater/open-water-swimming-venues/
If you have any questions on this or any other coaching qualification please contact coacheducation@pentathlongb.org and our team will be able to assist with your query.
Thank you for your understanding.
Will Brown CEO
