STA wins FAB Collaboration Award for Open Water Swimming Coaching Qualification
Image: L to R, Leon Fryer, Jason Tait, Simon Griffiths, Kaylë Brightwell, Keri-anne Payne, Rick Kiddle and Colin Hill at the STA’s Open Water Swimming Coaching Qualification’s launch at Charlton Lido.
The Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) has recognised the STA’s cross-industry teamwork in the development and re-launch of its Level 2 Open Water Swimming Coaching Qualification by awarding it “Collaboration of the Year”.
The FAB Awards recognise the contributions made by awarding organisations and their employees to education and skills in the UK over the past year, with the Collaboration of the Year category recognising the ways in which an organisation collaborates to achieve excellence.
In developing the Level 2 Open Water Swimming Coaching Qualification, the STA gathered together a team of experts from across the world of open water swimming including Keri-anne Payne (double World Champion and Olympic silver medallist), Colin Hill (founder of Chillswim and recognised in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame) and Simon Griffiths (Outdoor Swimmer founder and publisher).
Other team members were:
- Rick Kiddle – founder of NOWCA and multi British Triathlon champion
- Len Hatcher – expert swimming coach who coached four young women to swim relay across the English Channel
- Leon Fryer – co-founder of SwimYourSwim and member of the International Ice Swimming Association after completing an Ice Mile
- Jason Tait – founder of South West Swim and a highly experienced Swim Smooth Certified Coach.
The STA also consulted with the British Long Distance Swimming Association, the Channel Swimming Association, the International Ice Swimming Association, Restube and Swim Secure.
Dave Candler, STA’s CEO says he is thrilled with the news and added: “Over the last three years STA has come on so far and for the team, who all work really hard, I’m delighted for them that we have been honoured with this top award. I’m also thrilled for all the amazing collaborators who freely dedicated their time and expertise in the development of the Open Water Swimming Coaching qualification over the last 12-18 months, because together we knew it was what the industry needed.”
The Open Water Swimming Coaching Qualification was launched in March 2018. More information about the qualification can be found on STA’s website:
Simon Griffiths
I created Outdoor Swimmer in 2011 (initially as H2Open Magazine) as an outlet for my passion for swimming outdoors. I've been a swimmer and outdoor swimmer for as long as I remember. Swimming has made a huge difference to my life and I want to share its joys and benefits with as many people as possible. I am also the author of Swim Wild & Free: A Practical Guide to Swimming Outdoors 365 a Year and I provide one-to-one support to swimmers through Swim Mentoring.
