In the Coaches Education Program, you will be able take the online tests conveniently right here within the members area. You will see the results of your test instantly upon completing each test.

Coaches Education

Course Description
This is a comprehensive Open Water Swimming Coaches Education Program for pool swimming coaches, triathlete coaches, masters swimming coaches, fitness coaches and endurance sports coaches and multi-sport coaches. Are you interested in learning the details of open water swimming and the best and most current practices and methodologies of the sport?

What to expect in this course…
The certification program will educate interested individuals on everything from proper swimming techniques to race tactics. Individuals who pass the program will be able to safely coach young children in short introductory open water swims as well as escort marathon swimmers in the English Channel.

An Overview

Open Water Safety

• The Marine Environment and History of Open Water Swimming.
• The Basic Blocks – The Pyramid of Open Water Swimming Success.
• Fine-tuning Stroke Efficiency, Pacing and Positioning in the Open Water.
• The Equipment Used in Open Water Swimming – from Local Races to the Olympics.
• Officiating and Logistics in Open Water Swimming.
• Refueling and Hydration in Open Water Swimming.
• The Psychology and Physiology of Open Water Swimming.
• Marathon Swimming, Channel Swimming and Solo Swims
• Financing and Sponsorship

Certification Levels

• Level 1 – a score of 75% correct answers on the WOWSA test .
• Level 2 – a score of 80% and coach 1 athlete who has completed a 5 KM swim in open water.
• Level 3 – A score of 85% and one athlete who has completed a 10KM Swim in open water.
• Level 4 – A score of 90% and coaching of one athlete who has completed a 25 KM swim, or competed in a national championship event.
• Level 5 – A score of 95% and coaching 1 athlete who has competed in the Olympic Games or an international championship event or completed a channel crossing.

If you are taking this course, the allure of open water swimming has captured your attention. For some of us, this attraction to the open water started at an early age; for others, the bug was caught later in life.

Wherever you are, whatever your age, whenever you started or whoever you coach, this course intends to share with you a comprehensive array of open water swimming information that will benefit you and your athletes.

Our sport – like the waters we train and compete in – is ever-changing and this course and our collective body of knowledge will also expand and adapt as the sport develops.

Open water swimming means different things to different people – freedom to pit yourself against the elements, a challenge of mind and body, a change from chlorinated pools, a means to become fit.

A Real Educational Program with High Quality Course Material…
This Education Program is based upon Steven Munatones’ book Open Water Swimming.

Program Registration Fee: $75 USD
Register for the Coaches Education Program

Order a Copy of the Course Textbook
Open Water Swimming by Steven Munatones

Certification Levels:

Level 1 – a score of 75% correct answers on the WOWSA test .
Level 2 – a score of 80% and coach 1 athlete who has completed a 5 KM swim in open water.
Level 3 – A score of 85% and one athlete who has completed a 10KM Swim in open water.
Level 4 – A score of 90% and coaching of one athlete who has completed a 25 KM swim, or competed in a national championship event.
Level 5 – A score of 95% and coaching 1 athlete who has competed in the Olympic Games or an international championship event or completed a channel crossing.

Costs:
$75.00 paid on the WOWSA test to take the course and test up to 3 times. Initial WOWSA and each subsequent certification is valid for 2 years.

Recertification:
$25.00 to take the test for recertification or to achieve a higher level.

Double Recognition:
Each coach taking and passing the test will receive recognition from WOWSA as well as ASCA.