Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
World Aquatics has introduced Discover Coaching: Swimming, a new e-learning course aimed at supporting coaches at the beginning of their careers or early in their coaching development. The course is hosted on the organization’s learning platform, CORAL, and provides 10 hours of foundational swimming coaching instruction.
The curriculum features ten modules with learning resources, practical activities, and expert-led videos. Topics include the history and structure of competitive swimming, integrity, ethics and safe sport, coaching roles and responsibilities, athlete wellbeing, nutrition, land training, skill development, strokes and skills, and planning and equipment.
The modules were developed in collaboration with recognized experts across the field. Participants who complete all modules, including exercises and knowledge checks, by the course completion date will receive a Certificate of Attendance from World Aquatics.
James Gibson MBE, an Olympic coach who contributed to the course, stated that the program aims to provide new coaches with foundational knowledge, values, and practical skills necessary for effective coaching. He noted the global accessibility of the course, which may help raise standards across aquatic sports. Gibson also emphasized that coaching involves roles beyond teaching sport-specific skills, including mentorship and personal development support for athletes.