More than recognition – STA Membership offers practical support, peace of mind, and a strong community for swimming teachers, tutors, and lifeguards.

With over 25 years in aquatics and leisure, I have seen firsthand the essential role professional membership plays in supporting swimming teachers, tutors, and lifeguards. My experience – from working poolside and managing large swim school programmes to leading national strategy with STA – has given me a deep appreciation of what true professional support looks like, and why it matters.

At STA, our membership is built on these insights. It serves as a powerful mark of professional recognition – a clear signal to parents, employers, and the wider community that our members are committed to the highest standards of safety and teaching.

For over 90 years, STA has proudly supported the aquatics sector. Today, we represent one of the largest communities of aquatic professionals in the UK, with more than 20,000 members, reflecting the trust placed in us by the industry. We have used this experience to shape a membership package that is genuinely fit for purpose – providing aquatic professionals with exactly what they need, without inflated extras or unnecessary costs. Our extensive real-world experience informs every aspect of this offer: as a team, we don’t observe from the sidelines – we live and work within swimming and leisure every day. We understand what members need to protect themselves and advance their careers.

Our qualifications are a key part of this approach. They reflect practical insight and the latest teaching methodologies, are rigorously regulated, and are continually developed in line with CIMSPA standards to meet best practice, as well as the needs of both employers and learners – reinforcing our dedication to quality and safety.

Beyond recognition, membership offers a comprehensive framework of support. Access to up-to-date, evidence-based resources and educational materials ensures members are always equipped to adapt and grow. Regular CPD opportunities reinforce a mindset of lifelong learning and help our professionals remain leaders in their field.

As part of STA’s membership, aquatic professionals also benefit from an extensive suite of free CPD opportunities, engaging webinars, exclusive discounts, and an ever-growing library of teaching, learning and marketing resources – all designed to strengthen knowledge, advance skills, and add genuine value at every stage of a career.

And with all this support available for just £44 per year – less than the cost of a cup of coffee each month – members gain true peace of mind, knowing they are backed by trusted expertise and a strong professional community.

Our 24/7 legal helpline is another vital pillar of reassurance. In a world of increasing complexity and accountability, having expert guidance available at any time provides peace of mind that goes far beyond paperwork.

The insurance element is equally crucial. It highlights the very real risks that come with working in and around water and serves as an essential safeguard – part of a much larger commitment to personal responsibility and professional resilience.

Membership also fosters a deep sense of belonging to a trusted community of like-minded professionals who share standards and support each other. In follow-up to our recent membership survey, an overwhelming 94% of respondents said they are happy with the current STA Membership package – a testament to this collective spirit and our unwavering dedication to members.

As someone who has stood on poolside and taught countless lessons, I genuinely know the worth of this membership package – and how much confidence and peace of mind it can bring to swimming teachers, tutors, and lifeguards alike.

As a sector, we share a collective responsibility to the people we teach – and to each other – to uphold the highest standards. STA Membership exists to support this objective and to fulfil our purpose as a charity: ‘preserving human life by the teaching of swimming, lifesaving and survival techniques.’ Our aim is to support aquatic professionals not only to protect themselves but also to excel, inspire, and lead by example.

– Dave Candler, STA CEO