FirstSwim™ is a new instructor development and licensing program designed for those passionate about teaching infants and toddlers vital water skills. Powered by the Starfish Aquatics Institute (SAI), FirstSwim merges the science of early childhood growth with proven survival swim techniques that help children—ages 1 to 4—become confident, capable, and water-safe. Join a growing network of dedicated professionals committed to preventing drowning and creating safer, brighter futures through aquatic education.
As part of the Starfish Aquatics Institute family, licensed FirstSwim Instructors benefit from internationally recognized standards of quality, child protection policies, and continual research-based program updates. Our shared mission: to make every swim lesson both trauma-free and transformative.
FirstSwim™ is more than a certification—it's a movement toward safer swim instruction based on child-centered learning, gentle progression, and developmental play. Our program stands apart because it:
Dive into a series of five interactive online courses covering:
Each lesson includes reflective assignments, case studies, and video analysis for real-world application.
Experience hands-on training under the mentorship of experienced FirstSwim Faculty. Candidates lead survival swim lessons in supervised teaching sessions, focusing on refinement, confidence, and consistency.
Flexible scheduling allows instructors to complete the practicum in various formats, including an accelerated “FastTrack” 2-week apprenticeship immersion.
Following your practicum, you will complete:
Ongoing CEUs and teaching evaluations ensure continued quality, safety, and growth within the FirstSwim community.
Becoming a licensed FirstSwim™ Instructor means more than earning a credential—it opens the door to owning your own program.
With the included Business Fundamentals Course, instructors gain practical skills in:
Whether you teach independently or grow into a multi-instructor program, FirstSwim provides the training, guidance, and brand support to help you succeed.
FirstSwim™ is ideal for:
Every lesson taught contributes to a world with fewer drownings and more confident, capable young swimmers. When you become a FirstSwim instructor, you join a mission-led community—supported by SAI—to bring safety, joy, and empowerment to families worldwide.
Ready to take the plunge?
Start your journey today.
Enroll in the FirstSwim Instructor Training Program and begin changing lives—one splash at a time.
Email: firstswim@sai-intl.org
FirstSwim
Mailing Address: 1 Diamond Causeway, Ste 21-226, Savannah, GA 31406 USA
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