Becoming a watersports instructor was the best career choice I ever made. Here’s why. 

Leaving education and entering the adult world was a daunting and scary prospect. I’d only ever known the adult figures in my life to complain about having to go to work every day, so I didn’t think adulting would be all that fun. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong, working as a water sports instructor means that going to work every day is something to look forward to. 

Being a watersports instructor requires you to take on many different roles, you will become a friend, a teacher, a multi-tasker, a quick thinker, a motivator and a role model. Sometimes all at the same time.  

People will want to be your friend, especially kids, because to them you are the coolest person ever. People will look up to you and trust your knowledge. You will always be multi-tasking and thinking ahead. Things will go wrong so you will need to problem solve, think on your feet, adapt to people’s needs and learning styles and take on board people’s advice. 

Learn and develop both on and off the water.

The more experience you gain the more confident you will become.  

As a watersports instructor you will see the positive impact that being outside has on mental and physical health. You will see it in the people you are teaching, you also may experience it yourself. Your personal sailing and windsurfing ability will skyrocket as you learn from your friends, you might even figure some stuff out on your own.  

Instructing can be daunting at first, especially when you are teaching on your own for the first time, however you will grow in confidence the more you do it and you’ll be bossing it before you know it.  

Becoming a watersports instructor will open new doors, it will enable you to travel, experience different cultures and work in exciting parts of the World. You will meet loads of interesting people and see some amazing things.  

Watersports as a career

Some people believe that being a watersports instructor isn’t a career, that there isn’t much opportunity for progression, this is a myth. There is so much opportunity to progress whether that be to take on more responsibility, to become a Senior Instructor, to move on to different centres or to gain more qualifications.   

All of this might seem like a lot to take in, however with such responsibility comes huge reward. You will meet some amazing people, people with interesting stories to tell and advice to give. While you are teaching others, you can learn just as much from them as they can from you.  

Your job satisfaction will go through the roof, you have the ability to impact people’s lives in such a positive way. You will see people develop and grow in confidence both on and off the water.  

Your work colleagues will become your best friends, you will spend all day outside, your tan will be the envy of all of your office dwelling friends, your personal sailing skills will improve more than you thought was possible, you will learn new skills completely and most of all you will go home at the end of the day with a smile on your face.  

It’s hugely satisfying seeing new instructors and sailors come through and achieve their goals. As I continue to work within the watersports industry, I can whole heartedly say that becoming a water sports instructor was the best career choice I ever made.