Volunteer Roles, Tiers & Perks

Welcome! This is the complete guide to volunteering at SwimBuddz — every role, what you'll do, and what you get in return.

How Volunteering Works at SwimBuddz

• Opt-in, not assigned. You choose when and how often to volunteer. There are no minimum commitments.
• Rotational. Roles rotate across members. No one "owns" a role permanently.
• Reliability matters. We track hours, attendance, and follow-through. Consistent volunteers unlock perks and recognition.
• No hierarchy. A Session Lead is not "above" a Check-in Volunteer. Every role is essential.
• Small commitments. Most roles take 1–2 hours per session. You can volunteer for one session a month or every week — it's up to you.

Volunteer Tiers

Recognition

Reliability Score

Your reliability score starts at 100 and reflects your follow-through. No-shows and late cancellations lower it — reliable volunteers keep it high and unlock more roles.

Session Roles

These roles are needed at every swim session. They keep things running smoothly from arrival to departure.

1. Session Lead (Swim Lead)

The main coordinator for the day's swim session.

What you'll do:

• Arrive 15 minutes before the session starts
• Brief other volunteers on the day's plan (how many swimmers expected, any first-timers, special announcements)
• Signal the start and end of each phase: warm-up, main swim, cool-down
• Make announcements to the group (upcoming events, reminders, shout-outs)
• Handle any on-the-ground issues (late arrivals, lane changes, schedule adjustments)
• Ensure all swimmers have exited the pool area before you leave
• Be the last volunteer to leave

Time commitment: Full session duration + 15 min before and after (~90–120 min total)

Skills needed: Comfortable speaking to groups. Calm under mild pressure. No swimming expertise required — you're coordinating, not coaching.

Minimum tier: Tier 2 (Core)

Best for: People who like organising, keeping things on track, and being the go-to person.

2. Warm-up Lead

Leads the pre-swim dry-land exercise routine.

What you'll do:

• Prepare a 15–30 minute warm-up routine (we provide templates you can follow or freestyle)
• Lead the group through stretches, mobility drills, and light cardio before entering the pool
• Demonstrate each exercise clearly — face the group, count reps out loud
• Adapt on the fly for different fitness levels (offer easier/harder variations)
• Focus on injury prevention: shoulders, neck, ankles, and core
• Keep energy high — music, banter, encouragement

Time commitment: ~45 min (arrive 10 min early to set up, 30 min warm-up, 5 min wrap-up)

Skills needed: Basic fitness knowledge. Enthusiasm. You do NOT need a personal training certification — just be comfortable leading a group through simple exercises.

Minimum tier: Tier 1 (Occasional)

Best for: Fitness enthusiasts, gym-goers, anyone who enjoys leading group exercise. Great entry-level volunteer role.

3. Lane Marshal

Manages lane assignments and enforces pool etiquette during the swim.

What you'll do:

• Assign swimmers to lanes based on speed and ability (fast, medium, slow, beginner)
• Help first-timers understand circle swimming (swim down one side, return on the other)
• Rebalance lanes if one gets overcrowded mid-session
• Gently enforce lane etiquette: no stopping at the wall for long chats, yielding to faster swimmers, etc.
• Watch for swimmers in the wrong lane and help them move without embarrassment

Time commitment: Main swim portion only (~40–50 min)

Skills needed: Basic swimming knowledge (you need to understand lane speed groupings). Tactful communication — you'll be redirecting people politely.

Minimum tier: Tier 1 (Occasional)

Best for: Experienced swimmers who understand pool flow and can guide others without being bossy.

4. Check-in Volunteer

Handles arrival registration and attendance tracking.

What you'll do:

• Set up at the session entrance 15 minutes before start time
• Greet arriving members and mark them as "present" on the SwimBuddz app
• Confirm walk-ins vs. pre-registered members
• Note any guests or first-timers and direct them to the Welcome Volunteer
• Track late arrivals
• Hand off the final attendance count to the Session Lead

Time commitment: ~30 min (15 min before session + first 15 min of session)

Skills needed: Comfortable using a phone/tablet. Friendly and approachable. Detail-oriented.

Minimum tier: Tier 1 (Occasional)

Best for: Organised people who like greeting others. Low physical effort — you're at a table, not in the pool.

5. Safety Rep

Monitors swimmer wellbeing and knows what to do in an emergency.

What you'll do:

• Position yourself poolside with a clear view of all lanes during the swim
• Watch for signs of exhaustion, distress, or unsafe behaviour (diving in shallow areas, horseplay)
• Know the location of the first-aid kit, AED (if available), and emergency exits
• Know the venue's emergency phone number and nearest hospital
• If someone is struggling, alert the nearest coach or lifeguard immediately
• Flag any hazards (slippery deck, broken equipment, overcrowding) to the Session Lead
• Ensure no one is left in the pool unattended

Time commitment: Full swim duration (~50–60 min of focused attention)

Skills needed: Basic first-aid knowledge is strongly preferred but not mandatory. Must be attentive and calm. CPR training is a plus — we'll help you get certified if you're interested.

Minimum tier: Tier 2 (Core)

Best for: Responsible, observant individuals. Healthcare workers, parents, anyone who naturally watches out for others.

Community Roles

These roles aren't tied to a single session. They support the broader SwimBuddz community experience.

6. Welcome Volunteer

The first friendly face for newcomers.

What you'll do:

• Introduce yourself to anyone attending their first session
• Give them a quick orientation: where to change, where to store belongings, how the session flows
• Introduce them to 2–3 friendly regulars so they don't feel alone
• Answer basic questions ("Do I need goggles?", "Which lane should I be in?", "Is there food after?")
• Check in with them at the end of the session — ask how it went, encourage them to come back
• If they seem nervous about the water, connect them with a Mentor/Buddy

Time commitment: ~30 min spread across the session (before, during breaks, after)

Skills needed: Warmth. Friendliness. Memory for names is a huge plus.

Minimum tier: Tier 1 (Occasional)

Best for: Extroverts, natural connectors, people who remember what it felt like to be new.

7. Ride Share Lead

Drives community members to and from swim sessions.

What you'll do:

• Make your car available for a designated pickup zone (Yaba, VI, Ikoyi, Lekki, etc.)
• Communicate your departure time and exact pickup location to your ride group via WhatsApp or the app
• Wait a reasonable time for your passengers (5 min grace period from announced departure)
• Drive safely to the pool venue
• After the session, drive your passengers back to the pickup zone (or an agreed drop-off)
• Report any issues (no-shows from passengers, traffic delays) via the app

Time commitment: Variable — depends on distance. Typically 30–60 min each way (Lagos traffic considered).

Skills needed: Valid driver's license. Reliable vehicle. Patience in Lagos traffic. Good communication — you need to coordinate timing with 2–4 people.

Minimum tier: Tier 1 (Occasional)

Best for: Car owners who are already driving to the session and have spare seats. You're not a taxi — you're a community member giving fellow swimmers a lift.

Note: Ride share leads may receive fuel contribution from passengers (configured per session). This is a community perk, not payment for a service.

8. Mentor / Buddy

Pairs with newer or anxious swimmers to help them build confidence and consistency.

What you'll do:

• Be paired with a newer member (or someone returning after a long break) for 4–8 sessions
• Check in with them before each session — are they coming? Do they need a ride? Any concerns?
• Swim near them during sessions so they have a familiar face
• Help them understand the community norms (when sessions happen, how to sign up, WhatsApp group etiquette)
• Celebrate their milestones: first full session, first 10 sessions, learning a new stroke
• If they miss 2+ sessions in a row, reach out — a simple "Hey, we missed you!" goes far
• Transition them to independence after 4–8 sessions — introduce them to others, help them find their own rhythm

Time commitment: No extra time beyond attending sessions you'd already attend. Plus 5–10 min of WhatsApp check-ins between sessions.

Skills needed: Empathy. Consistency (you need to show up to the sessions your mentee is attending). Patience with people who may be scared of water.

Minimum tier: Tier 2 (Core)

Best for: Regulars who remember how intimidating it was to start. People who naturally check on others.

Content & Media Roles

These roles support SwimBuddz's visual storytelling and community archive.

9. Media Volunteer

Captures photos and videos during sessions and events.

What you'll do:

• Bring your phone (or camera if you have one) to the session
• Capture a mix of: action shots in the pool, warm-up photos, candid moments, group shots after the swim
• Record 15–30 second video clips for Instagram/TikTok content
• Get the "money shot" — the group photo at the end of every session
• Respect photo consent — if someone has opted out, don't include them in shots
• Share raw media with the Gallery Support volunteer or upload directly to the shared album
• Optionally: shoot short testimonial videos with willing members

Time commitment: Throughout the session. You can still swim — just keep your phone nearby for key moments.

Skills needed: A decent phone camera. Basic sense of composition (we're not looking for professional photography — just good, authentic content). Awareness of lighting and angles.

Minimum tier: Tier 1 (Occasional)

Best for: Anyone who's already snapping pics at sessions. Instagram-savvy members. Aspiring content creators.

10. Gallery Support

Organises, tags, and uploads session media to the SwimBuddz platform.

What you'll do:

• Collect raw photos/videos from Media Volunteers after each session
• Upload them to the SwimBuddz gallery (via the admin panel or shared album)
• Tag members who appear in photos (helps members find their own pictures)
• Organise media by date, session, and event
• Select 5–10 "best of" shots per session for social media highlights
• Delete duplicates, blurry shots, and unflattering images
• Ensure photo consent is respected — remove images of members who've opted out

Time commitment: 30–60 min after each session (can be done from home)

Skills needed: Organised. Familiar with the SwimBuddz admin panel (we'll train you). Eye for selecting good photos. Can be done from anywhere — you don't need to attend the session.

Minimum tier: Tier 1 (Occasional)

Best for: Detail-oriented people. Photographers. Anyone who likes curating content. Great role if you can't always make it to sessions physically.

Events & Logistics Roles

These roles support special events, trips, and behind-the-scenes operations.

11. Events & Logistics Volunteer

The behind-the-scenes operator for special events and out-of-routine activities.

What you'll do:

• Help set up and tear down for special events (beach days, social gatherings, watch parties, community meets)
• Manage equipment: cones, lane ropes, timing equipment, speakers, banners
• Coordinate timing and transitions between activities during multi-part events
• Handle on-the-ground logistics: venue access, parking coordination, vendor liaison
• Be the "fixer" — if something goes wrong (missing equipment, late vendor, weather change), you adapt

Time commitment: Variable — depends on the event. Could be 2–4 hours for a small social or a full day for a community meet.

Skills needed: Flexible. Problem-solver. Comfortable with physical setup work (carrying equipment, arranging spaces). Good under pressure.

Minimum tier: Tier 1 (Occasional)

Best for: People who like making things happen behind the scenes. Operations-minded individuals. Anyone who's organised a party, wedding, or community event before.

12. Trip Planner

Organises out-of-town swims, beach days, and destination trips for the community.

What you'll do:

• Research and propose trip destinations (beach locations, open water venues, pools in other cities)
• Plan logistics: transport options, accommodation (for overnight trips), costs, group size limits
• Create and share trip itineraries with the community
• Manage RSVPs and collect payments (via the platform or coordination with admin)
• Coordinate with local contacts at destination venues
• Handle on-the-day logistics: meeting points, headcounts, safety briefing for open water
• Post-trip: collect feedback, share photos, document lessons for future trips

Time commitment: 5–10 hours of planning per trip (spread over 2–4 weeks). Plus the trip day itself.

Skills needed: Research skills. Organisational ability. Budget management. Good communication. Experience travelling within Nigeria is a major plus.

Minimum tier: Tier 2 (Core)

Best for: Natural planners. Travel enthusiasts. People who already know great swim spots around Lagos and Nigeria.

Academy Support Roles

These roles support SwimBuddz Academy's structured learning programs.

13. Academy Assistant

Supports coaches during structured academy lessons and skill assessments.

What you'll do:

• Assist the lead coach during cohort sessions (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced programs)
• Help demonstrate drills and techniques alongside the coach
• Work one-on-one with students who need extra attention during group sessions
• Assist with skill assessment sessions: help position students, operate timing equipment, record results
• Shadow experienced coaches to learn teaching methods (this is a pathway to becoming a coach)
• Help manage session resources: kickboards, pull buoys, fins, and other training aids
• Provide feedback to the coach after sessions on student progress you observed

Time commitment: Full academy session duration (~60–90 min) + 10 min debrief with coach.

Skills needed: Competent swimmer (Intermediate level minimum). Patient with learners. Comfortable in the water giving hands-on guidance. Interest in coaching/teaching is strongly preferred.

Minimum tier: Tier 2 (Core)

Best for: Strong swimmers interested in coaching. Education professionals. Parents experienced with teaching children to swim. Anyone on the path to becoming a certified swim coach.

Quick Reference

Ready to sign up? Register on the SwimBuddz app and tell us which roles interest you — we'll match you with opportunities from there.