Guide Recruitment
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
The bulk of our recruitment period is now complete for 2024. We are now only considering applications from nationals of the European countries in which we operate and European passport-holders to start in the 2024 summer season. If that's you, see below for a link to the application form. (If not, we normally open again for applications in November / December for the following summer).
Guides are contracted on a self-employed basis, normally with 4 to 6 week location-based contracts. A SwimTrek Guide is proactive self-starter with a passion for open water swimming, enthusiasm and skill in providing impeccable customer service, and most importantly: the ability to ensure that our trips are delivered to the highest safety standard.
The roles of a SwimTrek Guide are many and varied and for that reason we contract guides who are solution-oriented, practical, organised, punctual, energetic, personable, and dynamic.
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 very 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
Pre-Requisite Essential Qualifications:
- Current Beach Lifeguard qualification (for UK guides this is the National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification – NVBLQ)
- First Aid Qualification with Defibrillator Training (if this is not included in your Beach Lifeguard qualification)
- RYA Powerboat Level 2 Qualification and International Certificate of Competency.
- Extensive open water swimming experience.
- Experience of working in a water safety capacity.
Successful applicants will also need to complete:
- Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene Course
- Marine Short Range Certificate (SRC) Course
Desirable
- Swimming teaching / coaching qualifications & experience
- Open-water swimming pedigree
- Clean driving licence
- Being able to communicate in other languages
Learn more about our essential and desirable skills in our SwimTrek Guide Qualifications (PDF).
Job Information
For 2024 we are now only reviewing applications from EU passport holders. If you are interested in being considered for a guiding role, please complete and submit the application form through this link:
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).
Please also note that most trips run back-to-back, with one trip normally ending in the morning and the next trip starting in the late afternoon of the following day.
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 our trips run smoothly.