THE NEXT WAVE

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Dave Candler being named CEO of the Swimming Teachers Association. SportsNation editor, Tom Walker, sat down with Candler to learn why he thinks the future of aquatics depends on the sector rethinking its role

Dave Candler became CEO of the Swimming Teachers Association (STA) on 1 April 2016. He stepped into the role having already spent 20 years in the aquatics sector – a career which included a 10-year stint as operations, swimming and training manager at Inspire Leisure. During his 10-year tenure as CEO, the STA has gone through unprecedented change – as has the wider aquatics industry. The pandemic hit the sector hard and dealing with the aftermath has been made harder due to global events, which have pushed energy prices up and placed immense pressures on consumer spending.

Yet, the future for the industry is bright. The formation of The Swimming Alliance is an example of how the aquatics sector is now working together to face the challenges and find solutions together. The sector is also embracing technology like never before and the emergence of Gen Z as a cohort more interested in physical activity than the pub offers a real opportunity to engage new audiences.

How would you describe your first 10 years as CEO?

Reaching the milestone has given me an opportunity to reflect on how far our sector has come over the past decade. We’ve seen significant advances in qualifications, technology and facilities, but I believe the biggest change has been in our understanding of where aquatics fits within modern society.

As I reflect on the past decade, I believe our sector is now approaching its next wave of development – one defined not simply by technological innovation, but by a broader understanding of the role aquatics plays in society. If you’d asked me ten years ago what would change most, I would probably have said technology.

Looking back, I think the biggest transformation has actually been the way we’ve come to understand the true value of aquatics. While technology has undoubtedly reshaped the sector, our greatest progress has been recognising that swimming and aquatic activity contribute far more than many people realise.

If you look at the challenges faced by the sector when you first became CEO, how do they compare to today?

When I first took on the role, many of the conversations centred on participation, standards and workforce development. Those priorities remain just as important today. But increasingly, we’re recognising that aquatics contributes far more to society than simply teaching people to swim.

Aquatics occupies a unique position in society because it contributes simultaneously to public safety, education, preventative health, rehabilitation and community wellbeing. Swimming teaches one of the most important lifesaving skills a person can learn, helps children develop confidence from an early age, supports people recovering from illness or injury, enables older adults to remain active and independent, and creates opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to improve both their physical and mental wellbeing.

It also has the power to bring communities together, creating welcoming environments where people of different ages, backgrounds and abilities can participate in an activity they can enjoy throughout their lives.

I still don’t believe we fully recognise the contribution aquatics makes. Too often, it continues to be viewed simply as part of the leisure sector, rather than as an essential contributor to healthier communities, safer lives and improved wellbeing. That broader understanding should fundamentally influence how we shape the future of our sector and, ultimately, how it is valued and supported. That shift in thinking has shaped much of STA’s direction over the past decade and continues to influence the way we support the sector today.

How has the sector changed in the past decade?

One of the biggest changes I’ve witnessed is the growing recognition that developing people is every bit as important as developing qualifications. Creating a high-quality qualification is only part of the solution. We also need to make sure talented people have the opportunity to access it, receive the support they need throughout their learning journey, and continue developing throughout their careers.

Qualifications themselves have evolved significantly. Today’s programmes are more flexible, increasingly supported by digital technology and designed to maximise practical learning, giving teachers and aquatic professionals the confidence and competence they need for modern teaching environments.

Attracting, developing and retaining talented people remains one of the greatest opportunities facing our sector. If we’re to meet future demand, we need to continue investing not only in qualifications, but also in mentoring, continuing professional development and clear career pathways that encourage people to build long-term careers in aquatics.

Technology has also transformed our sector, although perhaps not always in the way people expected.

How do you view technology – how has it changed and how will it change the sector?

Digital innovation was already gathering pace, but the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated that change dramatically. Almost overnight, organisations had to rethink how they trained learners, supported tutors, communicated with members and delivered services remotely. Many of the digital solutions developed during that period have since become an integral part of the way our sector operates, demonstrating just how adaptable and resilient the industry can be.

We’re now entering another period of technological change.

Much of the discussion around artificial intelligence focuses on replacing people. I believe its greatest value lies in supporting them. Whether it’s streamlining assessment, reducing administration, enhancing digital portfolios or helping learners access resources more effectively, technology should free professionals to spend more time doing what they do best: teaching, mentoring and inspiring people.

The same principle applies across learn to swim programmes, where digital systems increasingly help teachers monitor progress, provide parents with greater visibility of their child’s development and create a more engaging learning experience. Used well, technology strengthens relationships rather than replacing them.

Innovation is also transforming areas that many participants never see. Advances in water treatment, filtration and pool plant management are helping operators improve water quality, reduce chemical use and enhance operational efficiency. As operators balance rising costs, sustainability objectives and the need to maintain the highest safety standards, innovation has become increasingly important. Emerging technologies are helping operators create safer, more sustainable pool environments while meeting the evolving demands placed upon aquatic facilities.

Similarly, advances in AI-assisted drowning detection and intelligent camera systems are demonstrating how technology can strengthen safety within aquatic environments. These systems are not there to replace lifeguards. They provide another layer of protection, helping identify potential incidents more quickly and enabling trained professionals to respond even faster when every second matters.

There is a feeling of unity to aquatics now, not least through the work of The Swimming Alliance. How important is that for the future of the sector?

One belief that has only strengthened over the past decade is that no single organisation can deliver meaningful change on its own. Some of the greatest progress we’ve made as a sector has been achieved through collaboration. Whether working with employers, education providers, local authorities, governing bodies, public health organisations, charities or partners through initiatives such as the Swimming Alliance, progress is achieved when expertise is shared and common goals take priority over individual interests.

The challenges facing aquatics today are interconnected. Workforce shortages affect participation. Accessibility influences health outcomes. Water safety education improves public safety. Inclusion enables more people to benefit from aquatic activity. Addressing these challenges requires organisations to work together, recognising that the success of one part of the sector ultimately benefits us all.

As I reflect on the past ten years, I’m incredibly proud of what our sector has achieved

If you look ahead at your next 10 years in the role, what do you see?

I believe the next decade presents an exciting opportunity. We have the chance to build a workforce that is more skilled, confident and diverse than ever before. We have technology that can enhance learning, improve safety and support better decision-making. We are developing stronger partnerships across education, health and community sectors. Perhaps most importantly, there is growing recognition that the value of aquatics extends far beyond the pool itself.

For me, that’s what the next wave is really about. The future of aquatics doesn’t simply depend on better technology, stronger qualifications or more innovative facilities. It depends on how successfully we reposition our sector within society. If we recognise aquatics not simply as a leisure activity, but as an essential contributor to public safety, preventative health, education and community wellbeing, we will create stronger foundations for investment, build a more resilient workforce and ensure even more people can enjoy the lifelong benefits of being safe, active and confident in the water.

As I reflect on the past ten years, I’m incredibly proud of what our sector has achieved. But I’m even more excited about what comes next. I believe the greatest opportunities for aquatics still lie ahead, and I look forward to continuing to work with colleagues across the sector to help shape that future.