Careers often follow a linear path, with clear goals and milestones laid out from the start. However, life sometimes takes twists and turns, leading individuals into unanticipated and rewarding professions. Here, we’ll explore Ben Stevens’ career journey – he transformed his part-time hobby and weekend job at a swimming pool into a full-time, varied and fulfilling career in aquatics.
As a child Ben was a keen county-level swimmer, but when he was 16 he noticed the pathways to remain involved in swimming were limited for children and young people who didn’t want to pursue ‘traditional’ competitive swimming.
Ben says:
“After completing Swim England’s Learn to Swim programme, if you don’t love the challenge of the up and down of lane swimming, the opportunities to continue competing are limited. It’s important to acknowledge that not all children who love to swim love doing timed lengths.”
This is why, aged just 16, Ben set up my own Life Saving Club, the Freedom Rescuers at his local swimming pool.
Ben continues:
“I guess even at 16, something had ignited inside me. I had gained my swimming teacher and lifeguard qualifications and, although I’d been to University to study Psychology and Criminality, the call of pool and the opportunities for full-time career in aquatics became more and more appealing to me.”
Ben has now created a career for himself in aquatics, splitting his time between various swimming-based jobs across several locations.
Ben explains:
“A traditional, deskbound, nine-to-five job wasn’t for me. All my roles give me the opportunity to share my passion for swimming, and to pass my knowledge and enthusiasm forward.”
In 2010, Ben became a coach at Beacon Swimming Club, progressing to Director of Swimming. He now coaches swimmers to National level. He also reinstated the Beacon Lifesaving Club, which has received county, regional, national and international recognition, and secured lifesaving GBR team places. Ben was the Team Manager for the England Lifesaving Team at the 2019 Commonwealth Championships and regularly coaches with the RLSS UK Performance Programme.
Ben says:
“Beacon’s fantastic Lifesaving Club welcomes children from eight years old upwards. It offers young people the chance to learn valuable first aid skills, both in the water and on land, and allows them to keep swimming in a fun club environment. Our competitive Lifesaving team has had great success; I’m proud of every single young person I’ve had the pleasure of working with. One day, I’d love to see Lifesaving competing at the Olympics. Lifeguards have always been present poolside at the Games, but they’ve never had the opportunity to showcase their skills to the world.”
Alongside this, Ben is the Commercial Manager for Holmeswood House School, where he manages the school’s lessons, arranging teaching for in excess of 600 children per week. He has 35 swimming teachers reporting into him, and still delivers lessons himself.
In 2017, Ben also started tutoring for the Institute of Swimming.
He says:
“I consider being a swimming tutor an incredibly important part of my career, as I’m training the next generation of swimming teachers, who will ensure water safety and skill development for countless individuals. As a swimming tutor, you pass on essential knowledge and empower future instructors to teach effectively and confidently, fostering a lifelong appreciation and respect for water. This role not only contributes to creating proficient swimmers but also promotes a culture of safety and respect for the water.”
Ben concludes:
“There is so much potential in aquatics, and maybe not everyone sees it as a full-time profession when they first start out, but there are always opportunities to pursue additional certifications and specialities, learn transferrable skills and grow your career. Working in this sector means that no day is the same, and every day you get the opportunity to give something back. I’m so glad I gave up on the nine-to-five to follow my dream!”