Instructor Training

The number of qualified instructors available to teach self-rescue and swim float swim skills is nowhere close to the demand for instructors that exists. There is need for our services in every community.

In January 2022, Cathryn Van Der Linden and Cassandra Di Yorio traveled to Colorado to become Infant Aquatic instructors. Cathryn learned to train other instructors in the swim float swim method and currently trains survival swimming instructors who can then become certified by SoCal Water Babies. 

Our local training program began in June 2022. The training program we offer is the most comprehensive course in infant and toddler swim instruction available.   

SoCal Water Babies will support and guide you through the process of becoming a trained and certified Infant Self Rescue and Swim Float Swim instructor. Our program teaches gentle and effective behavioral modification techniques necessary to become the best instructor for your community.

We offer ongoing support and instructor clinics at your need and discretion. You will not need yearly recertification, no yearly fees, and no fees passed onto your students or their families. 

If you are interested in becoming an instructor, please email us at info@socalwaterbabies.com

Our course to train individuals in teaching aquatic survival and self-rescue skills to infants and young children includes 100 hours of in-water training in addition to academic studies in child development, behavioral psychology, anatomy, and physiology. There are no prerequisites for our training, however, all instructors must share a common mission and love for working with children. Many have taught swim lessons previously and were frustrated with the lack of results they were able to achieve.  Individuals must be at least 22 years to participate in the training. 

The training experience is intense -- it involves 6 weeks of hands-on training with new, unskilled infants and toddlers (minimum of 3.5 hours each day Monday through Thursday). The academic work will require time on the weekends — mainly during weeks 3, 4 and 5.