Swimming Teaching Volunteer Project in St Lucia, Castries

Please note it is possible to come for more than a 2 week trip and most will come between a 4 and 8 week duration.

Swimming in St. Lucia
St. Lucia is an island surrounded by incredible sandy beaches and clear blue seas. However, many of its inhabitants can not swim and drownings among children are not uncommon. There is a particular need for swim lessons within the island’s poorest communities where many children do not learn the technique.

Your Swimming Teaching Volunteer Placement
During your placement you will teach beginner and intermediate swim lessons in pools and beaches to children aged between 6 and 14 using our tried and tested methods. Although there are opportunities to coach competition level swimmers within your placement, the main focus is on teaching beginners from deprived communities techniques to stay safe in pools and on the beach.

Our swimming project aims to equip as many children as possible with the capability to swim and be safe on the beach, whilst encouraging children to hone their newly acquired skills and continue the sport by joining their local swimming team.

We also run some pre-school ‘Learn to Swim’ sessions for younger children too.

Your Swimming Coaching Role
You will work alongside our qualified staff. This will enable you to develop your own confidence and build relationships with the children. From here, you will continue to assist the swimming instructors but also have the opportunity to take your own swimming coaching sessions. As you determine the abilities and potential of individual swimmers, you can introduce your own swimming coaching ideas and even offer some one-to-one coaching tuition. However, the qualified local staff will always be in attendance to oversee the coaching sessions. Whether you end up coaching within the club setting or taking newcomers to the beach for the first time, your contribution to young St. Lucian’s development will live on long after you return home.

Please note that the swimming teaching placement takes place in outdoor pools and beaches and hence can be affected by occasional bad weather. On average one day, every 2-4 weeks (possibly more in rainy season August & September). If a swimming coaching session is cancelled, you are welcome to join other sports coaching placements in the area or simply use the free time for personal relaxation.

Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

Gap Year or Career Break Swimming Teaching Placement in St Lucia
Teaching swimming to underprivileged children in St. Lucia not only gives you a unique sports abroad opportunity, it gives you the chance to help children stay safe in the swimming pool and on the beach. Working as a gap year or career break sports coach on this volunteer swimming project really is a fantastic sports experience abroad and you will make friends for life.

From the below arrival dates please choose a trip with a range that means you are with us for an even amount of weeks. This helps us manage airport transfers and also helps with the management of the projects. For example, you could come for a 6 or 8 week trip but not a 5 or 7 week trip.

Start Dates 2025
31st Jan – 2 to 30 weeks
14th Feb – 2 to 28 weeks
28th Feb – 2 to 26 weeks
14th Mar – 2 to 24 weeks
28th Mar – 2 to 22 weeks
11th Apr – 2 to 20 weeks
25th Apr – 2 to 18 weeks
9th May – 2 to 16 weeks
23rd May – 2 to 14 weeks
6th Jun – 2 to 12 weeks
20th Jun – 2 to 10 weeks
4th Jul – 4 to 8 weeks
18th Jul – 4 to 6 weeks
1st Aug – 4 weeks
15th Aug – 2 weeks

Note 1: Dates are subject to change.

Note 2: It is important that you arrive on published arrival dates to help with operational management and induction. In St Lucia this tends to be a Friday. There maybe an additional fee if you still require airport collection outside our normal times. Approx. GBP £60 each way for up to 4 passengers.

Visa
British Nationals will not require a visa to enter St Lucia for up to 90 days. If you are travelling over 42 days (6 weeks) then you will have to provide travel details on arrival, to clear customs. All the details of the process will be explained once you have booked your trip.

For visits longer than 90 days we will arrange extensions for you.

Equipment Donation for St Lucia
We are dedicated to sustainable development. This is why part of the fee you pay goes towards buying decent equipment for beneficiary organisations in St Lucia. You will often use this equipment during your project and it is always left with the community when you leave. In some cases, an equipment donation may not be appropriate so a financial contribution is made instead.

Social Life in St Lucia
While you are volunteering abroad to make a difference it is still important to enjoy yourself and unwind. St Lucia boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, white sands and blue seas! We will often spend the days on the beach before training, and will organise events such as BBQ’s or beach games. There are also a number of bars and clubs off the main beach. Then there is the weekly street party in Gros Islet where the roads are closed, speakers are rolled out and people party under the stars.

Travel and Adventure in St Lucia
With this project you get an excursion to world famous Marigot Bay, home to the set of the Dr Doolitttle film. Included is your return transport and water taxis across the bay. You can relax on a private beach or take a short rainforest walk, or get a drink in some of the best bars and restaurants on the Island.

You will be encouraged to explore St Lucia during your free time so you can sample some of its breath-taking sights and meet some of the Caribbean’s friendliest people. The capital, Castries, is home to numerous markets selling a wonder of goods and comes alive when the cruise ships dock. For bars and clubs we recommend Rodney Bay, the home of the vast majority of the hotels. This is also home to the main shopping mall. There are also the famous Piton Mountains which are located in the south of the island and are well worth a visit. You can also climb them if you are feeling ambitious. There is also the Sulphur Springs the ‘World’s only drive in volcano’! The springs are formed from water running through a volcano, which heats the water while the sulphur turns the water black. You can bathe in the water, which is reputed to make you live forever. St Lucia is home to many rain-forests which can be explored in a number of ways such as on bikes, quad bikes and zip lining!

Accommodation
Accommodation is based in a shared house with dorm-style rooms and all bed linen is provided. The accommodation is a large open plan guest house, only a few minutes walk from the beach, making it the perfect base for a Caribbean adventure! There’s a large kitchen, sitting room and WIFI is available. Each bedroom has a shower and toilet and there are also laundry facilities.

Food
Breakfast is included on a help yourself basis. Lunch and dinner can be prepared in groups or individually as there is a supermarket close by.

Airport Pick-Up
We will arrange transport from the airport on arrival in St Lucia so long as it falls on the start date. Any arrival times outside this will incur an additional charge.

Training
Full project induction and local orientation given on arrival.

Support
Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.

Donation
Part of your fee maybe used to buy decent equipment for the project and community you work with. We also encourage you to bring any extra equipment that you are happy to give away but this will need to fall within your personal weight allowance with the airline you travel with.

Flights; Lunch or dinner, Travel insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Spending money; In-country personal travel; Soft drinks and alcohol; Extra activities not on itinerary.

You will be met on arrival. Full details will be provided once you have booked your trip with us.

Preferred Duration
This is a 2 to 12 week trip but we’d prefer you to come for as long as possible to make the most out of the project and the relationships you will build. You can also come for longer and we’ll consider discounts for the commitment shown.

Typical Hours (example only)
Weekdays – sessions will usually take place after school between 14:00 – 16:00 (subject to the school) with optional ‘Preschool Adventure Sport’ general coaching in the morning. Saturdays – various sessions take place at the aquatic centre and open water locations in the morning and afternoon. You can also spend you time assisting with general support for our charity work if you want more constructive activity with your time. You are free to travel and explore the island during the days, or just spend it on one of the great golden sand beaches. There is also a street party in Gros Islet every Friday.

Pre-requisites
No prior swimming teaching experience or qualifications are required, but you do need to be able to swim yourself and be confident in the water, both in swimming pools and the seas. You also need to be healthy and of reasonable fitness.

Ideal For
Swimming Coaching Holidays and Placements in The Caribbean; Sports Activity Breaks in St Lucia; Sports Coaching Gap Years and Career Breaks in the Caribbean; Student Summer Holidays; Volunteer Sports Projects Abroad; Sports Opportunities Overseas.

Suitable for ages 18 to 80

Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community.