So, You Want To Be A SwimTrek Guide?

Who we are

SwimTrek is the world’s leading open water swimming holiday company. We run tours in over 40 worldwide locations in more than 20 countries around the world, from the Galapagos Islands to Bali, Indonesia. The key role of working within the Guiding Team, and under the direction of the Operations Department, is to ensure our trips run safely, efficiently, and are of course memorable and fun!

SwimTrek Guide

Please note that we are not currently accepting applications for SwimTrek Guide positions as we have completed for the 2023 Summer Season.

We normally open recruitment at the beginning of January for the European Summer season of that year. Please check this site again nearer the time for updates.

If you are interested in applying in future years, the job description is listed below. We normally only shortlist applications from candidates who have all the Essential skills and qualifications listed below.

Our guides are the face of the company and the makers of magic.

This key role involves living and working closely with a second SwimTrek Guide for 4 to 6 weeks on location, as well as working closely with local boat crew and suppliers. While the role is supported and managed by the Operations Team in the Brighton Head Office, a high degree of self-sufficiency on location is required to enable our trips to be safe, efficient, memorable, cost-effective and of course fun!

The list of responsibilities should not be considered exhaustive. You may be required to undertake various other duties as reasonably required.

Key responsibilities include

To ensure the safety of all swimmers and colleagues during swims.
To perform a rescue when required
To manage incidents and to administer First Aid when required.
Lead swims and hikes of varying difficulty depending on location.
Recording events and carrying out risk assessments.
Drive a safety vessel during swims whilst keeping guests safe in the water.
To liaise with local suppliers and hoteliers and work together to trouble-shoot problems and guest complaints, as needed.
Preparing meals for up to 18 people and advising guests on local cuisine.
Being proactive in complaint handling and troubleshooting with fellow guides, boat crew, suppliers, hoteliers and the Operations Team.
To behave in an appropriate manner and maintain professionalism.
Supporting the Operations team in the handling of all and any incidents
For trips that offer video analysis, a degree of swimming coaching will also be required.
For our coaching trips, we require Guides to have coaching qualifications.

Skills and Abilities required

Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
A confident and clear communicator
A pro-active and organised individual
Able to use initiative and work independently as required.
A team player, able to work under pressure and to multi-task.
A dynamic individual who is able to adapt to rapidly changing conditions calmly, and confidently.
Passionate about open water swimming

Essential

Current Beach Lifeguard qualification (for UK guides this is the National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualifcation – NVBLQ)
First Aid at Work Qualification.
RYA Powerboat Level 2 Qualification and International Certificate of Competency.
Open water swimming experience.
Experience working in a water safety capacity.

Desirable

Swimming teaching / coaching qualifications & experience
Open-water swimming pedigree
Clean driving licence
Being able to communicate in other languages

Job Information

When we open again for applications, a link to a form will be provided here through which you can submit your application. We will require details of all the essential qualifications listed above.

LOCATION SwimTrek operates all over the world. Currently, the bulk of our trips run in the European summer months from May to October and as such new recruits would be expected to work in European and UK locations in their first season.

SALARY Competitive, and dependent on experience and role (i.e. Lead Guide or Assistant Guide).

WORKING HOURS Varied: depending on the location but a Guide should expect to be available to client needs for the duration of each trip and to be with the guests from morning to evening (with at least half of the dinners of the trip to be spent with the guests).

The Guiding Team are our first point of contact with guests and thereby become the face of the company. From liaising with local suppliers, to troubleshooting challenges on the ground, a guide takes on many roles in their working day - all around leading swims and treks in some of the most beautiful and remote locations across the globe.

Your passion for swimming, eye for safety and good customer relations are all integral in ensuring ours trips run smoothly.