Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is an essential element of being a successful swimming Teacher or Coach. It is vital to keep up to date with the most current practices and thinking in relation to swimming and aquatics.

CPD helps with career progression and advancement, broadening Teachers’ and Coaches’ knowledge and equipping them with the skills to specialise in specific areas.

It also provides confidence and credibility by ensuring the professional standard of Swim Ireland qualifications are at a consistently high level.

e-Learning & Video CPD courses

e-Learning and Video CPD courses are available to complete at your own pace on the Swim Ireland e-Learning platform the Learning Hub.

Learning opportunities will vary depending on your aquatic discipline and qualification level.

A maximum of 2 CPD points is available for an e-Learning or Video CPD course, with prices ranging from €15-€25.

Access CPD

Virtual CPD

A variety of topics can be delivered either in part or fully in the virtual classroom through Zoom. These opportunities offer flexibility to coaches and teachers. They also reduce the cost and time implications often raised.

Virtual classroom CPD are available to book on the Swim Ireland database, ranging from 1-3 hours in duration. Depending on the presenter, length of time and topic the prices may range from €15-€50.

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Coach / Teacher Clinics

Poolside clinics provide a great opportunity to engage with other coaches and teachers whilst learning from our tutors.

Clinics are typically focused on swimming strokes or aquatic discipline skills, and may range from 1-3 hours in duration.

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Conferences

A conference will be a one or two day, face-to-face opportunity for professional development.

Conferences can be hosted by Swim Ireland and the Regions, or any organisation with capacity to deliver a one or two day education event.

Conferences will consist of practical and theoretical sessions, including workshops, lectures, and interactive tasks.

Costs of conferences will vary.

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External CPD

Swim Ireland recognise that there are a wide range of formal and informal CPD opportunities available to Swim Ireland tutors, coaches, and teachers. You can apply to seek recognition of external CPD’s.

A review fee of €15 will apply for CPD valued at 1-2 points.

A review fee of €25 will apply for CPD valued at 3-6 points.

CPD points awarded will be valid for one year from the date of receipt of award (i.e., date on certificate).

A maximum of two external learning opportunities will be considered annually. This list is not exhaustive, other learning opportunities will be considered.

Submissions will be reviewed and awarded within 1 week.

Register External CPD

Recognition of External CPD

  • CARA Sport Inclusion & Disability Awareness Online Workshop
  • Vision Sports Awareness Training

Register External CPD

  • CARA Autism in Sport Online Workshop
  • CARA Disability Inclusion Training Online Workshop
  • Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches
  • Pool Supervisor Qualification
  • Half day conference relating to sport
  • PHECC Approved Cardiac First Response

Register External CPD

  • NFQ Level 6 certificate relating to sport
  • PHECC Approved Emergency First Aid
  • Article relating to aquatic discipline published in peer reviewed journal
  • Sport Ireland Coaching Children Workshop
  • National Pool Management Qualification
  • Pool Lifeguard Qualification
  • Beach Lifeguard Qualification
  • Open Water Lifeguard Qualification
  • PHECC Approved First Aid Responder

Register External CPD

  • NFQ Level 7 or 8 degree relating to sport
  • Full day conference relating to sport

Register External CPD

  • NFQ Level 9 or 10 degree relating to sport

Register External CPD

CPD Exemption

Swim Ireland recognise that our members can face challenges that impact their ability to attend/ engage with Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

If you are unable to engage with CPD for a prolonged period, the Swim Ireland Education team may consider a reduced requirement or exemption for CPD points for a period of one year. No more than two applications will be considered in a five-year period.

Applications will be treated in strictest confidence and can be submitted directly to the Head of Education aislingmckeever@swimireland.ie

Circumstances such as those outlined below will be considered:

  • Unemployment leading to financial distress
  • Serious injury or illness
  • Bereavement of an immediate family member
  • Pregnancy or pregnancy loss

Education Newsletter

Swimming Teacher Qualifications

Continuous Professional Development