Job Introduction
WATERSPORTS INSTRUCTOR
Location: Various Neilson Beach Clubs overseas
Season: April – November
Qualifications Required: Minimum of Dinghy Instructor and/or Windsurf Instructor + Powerboat Level 2 + ICC
Eligibility: UK & EU passport holders
Salary: £625 – £775 PCM gross, depending on qualifications + end-of-contract commission, shared accommodation, meals, flights, and an excellent overall package.
As a UK-based business operating overseas, we’re able to arrange the required visas and work permits for UK and EU passport holders to work legally in our resorts.
In a Nutshell
Spend your summer doing what you love, teaching watersports in some incredible Beach Club destinations.
You’ll teach Dinghy Sailing and/or Windsurfing to guests of different ages and abilities, helping them build confidence, develop their skills and have a brilliant time on the water.
Whether you’re a newly qualified instructor or a Senior Instructor with a few years of experience under your belt, you love sharing your sport with other people. Your qualifications will help determine your role, responsibilities and salary, with opportunities to join us as a Watersports Instructor, Enhanced Watersports Instructor or Senior Instructor.
About Us
For almost 50 years, Neilson Active Holidays has been creating holidays where people can relax, get active, try something new and have a seriously good time doing it.
Our award-winning Beach Clubs combine fantastic locations with an incredible choice of activities, delivered by people who genuinely love what they do.
Our Beach Teams are at the heart of the action, helping everyone from complete beginners to experienced sailors and windsurfers get out on the water and make the most of their holiday.
About You
You’re a qualified Dinghy Sailing and/or Windsurfing Instructor who would much rather spend the summer on the water than staring at the same four walls.
Whether you’re a newly qualified instructor or a Senior Instructor with a few years of experience under your belt, you love sharing your sport and helping other people develop.
You know great instruction is about more than technical ability. You’re approachable, encouraging and safety-conscious, and you can make a session enjoyable whether you’re helping someone take their first tentative steps or coaching a guest who wants to take their skills further.
You’ll bring personality, energy and a strong work ethic to the Beach Team. You’re adaptable, willing to learn, happy sharing your knowledge and prepared to get stuck into whatever the day throws at you.
Most importantly, you’ll love being part of a busy, social environment where you can teach, develop your own skills, meet brilliant people and spend a ridiculous amount of time on the water.
Role Overview
As a Watersports Instructor, you’ll become part of the team bringing our Beach Programme to life.
You’ll deliver safe, engaging Dinghy Sailing and/or Windsurfing sessions appropriate to your qualifications, helping guests build confidence, develop their skills and get as much as possible from their time on the water.
Your exact responsibilities will reflect your qualifications and experience.
Our entry-level role is Watersports Instructor. Depending on the number and combination of additional watersports qualifications you hold, you may be considered for an Enhanced Watersports Instructor or Senior Instructor position, with increased responsibilities and salary to reflect the additional skills you bring.
Away from formal tuition, you’ll help guests get safely out on the water, look after our equipment, support the wider Beach Team and contribute to the fun, welcoming atmosphere around resort.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Deliver safe, engaging and enjoyable Dinghy Sailing and/or Windsurfing instruction appropriate to your qualifications.
- Plan and deliver sessions for guests with different abilities and levels of experience.
- Help guests develop their skills, confidence and enjoyment on the water.
- Adapt sessions around guest ability, weather and changing conditions.
- Maintain excellent standards of on-water safety and rescue readiness.
- Help guests select, rig, launch, recover, de-rig and safely use watersports equipment.
- Provide practical advice, encouragement and support to guests using Neilson equipment.
- Take responsibility for the care, maintenance, security and presentation of watersports equipment.
- Help keep beach areas, equipment racks, simulators and operational spaces safe, organised and guest-ready.
- Follow Neilson operating procedures, relevant RYA standards and local requirements.
- Promote the Beach Programme and encourage guests to get involved.
- Build positive relationships with guests and help create a fun, welcoming atmosphere on the beach.
- Share your skills and knowledge with other members of the Beach Team.
- Support guest briefings, social events and wider resort operations when required.
- Be flexible and ready to support the wider resort team when needed.
- Assist with airport transfers when required, helping create a professional and welcoming first impression of Neilson.
Skills & Experience
You’ll be great at this if you…
- Hold at least a Dinghy Sailing and/or Windsurfing Instructor qualification.
- Love watersports and genuinely enjoy helping other people learn.
- Can deliver fun, safe and engaging tuition.
- Understand watersports equipment and associated safety procedures.
- Have strong on-water awareness and rescue skills.
- Can adapt your coaching to different abilities and confidence levels.
- Are friendly, approachable and comfortable engaging with guests.
- Communicate clearly and work brilliantly as part of a team.
- Are organised, proactive and comfortable working in a busy outdoor environment.
- Stay calm and adaptable when conditions or plans change.
- Bring a strong work ethic and are happy getting stuck into wider resort life.
- Are keen to learn, develop and share your skills with others.
- Can confidently communicate and instruct in English.
- Genuinely care about creating brilliant guest experiences.
You don’t need years of professional instruction behind you.
If you’re newly qualified but have good practical foundations, the right attitude, a willingness to learn and the confidence to operate safely, we want to hear from you.
You’ll work alongside experienced watersports professionals in a supportive environment where you can gain real-world experience, develop your coaching and continue building your skills throughout the season.
It’d be a bonus if you also have…
Additional or advanced watersports qualifications such as:
- Senior Dinghy or Windsurf Instructor.
- Intermediate Planing Windsurf Instructor.
- Advanced Windsurf Instructor.
- Advanced Sailing Instructor.
- Powerboat Instructor.
- Multihull Endorsement.
- Race Coach.
- Wing Surf Instructor.
- Foiling Dinghy, Windsurf or Wing Instructor.
- Other relevant recognised watersports qualifications.
Previous professional instruction, Beach Club, overseas, hospitality or seasonal experience is also a big advantage, but it isn’t essential if you have the required qualifications, attitude and enthusiasm to develop.
Additional European language skills are always welcome.
Qualifications
To be considered for the Watersports Instructor role, you must hold at least the following:
- Dinghy Instructor and/or Windsurf Instructor qualification.
- Powerboat Level 2 certificate (PB2).
- International Certificate of Competence (ICC).
If you hold an RYA qualification, you must also maintain active RYA membership for the duration of your contract.
Our entry-level position is Watersports Instructor. Depending on the number and combination of additional watersports qualifications you hold, you may be considered for an Enhanced Watersports Instructor or Senior Instructor position.
We welcome applications from candidates holding UK and internationally recognised qualifications and equivalent certifications. Your full qualification portfolio will be considered as part of your application.
You do not need to have completed every required qualification before submitting your application.
If you’re currently working towards, booked onto or planning to complete one of the required qualifications before your start date, please go ahead and apply and provide details of the qualification and your expected completion date within your application.
For full details covering Neilson qualification requirements and recognised equivalents, please click here: List of Accepted Qualifications
First Aid Requirements
A valid First Aid certificate meeting the relevant watersports governing-body requirements is mandatory and must remain valid for the duration of your contract.
If your First Aid certificate forms part of your instructor qualification or governing-body requirements, please make sure it remains in date throughout your contract.
If you need to renew or obtain First Aid before joining us, your course must include practical, in-person training. Online-only First Aid courses are not accepted.
For full details covering Neilson First Aid requirements, please click here: First Aid Guidance
Commission
Alongside your monthly salary, you’ll have the opportunity to earn end-of-contract commission based on overall team income from private lessons.
What’s in it for you?
Joining Neilson is more than just a summer job. It’s an opportunity to challenge yourself, develop new skills, build confidence, experience incredible destinations, and become part of a close-knit team creating unforgettable holidays every day.
The experience, resilience, and people skills you’ll develop along the way will stay with you long after the season ends – wherever life takes you next.
Alongside the experience, you’ll get:
- A paid seasonal role in an incredible overseas destination.
- Shared staff accommodation, so you’re right at the heart of resort life and part of the team from day one.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner while on duty, so your meals are taken care of.
- Travel to and from resort, subject to staff travel policy.
- Use of selected resort facilities in your spare time, so you can enjoy the destination too.
- Friends and family holiday discounts, giving the people at home the chance to experience Neilson for themselves.
- Comprehensive training and ongoing support to help you settle in, develop your skills and make the most of your season.
- Opportunities to gain additional qualifications through the Neilson Academy.
- Career development opportunities through our Jump Up and Jump Higher programmes.
- Visa and work permit support where applicable.
- Role-specific uniform provided.
- One day off each week, plus accrued holiday.
- Emergency medical and dental insurance.
- 24/7 independent mental health support.
It’s a season that gives you more than a payslip – you’ll come home with new skills, new friends, incredible memories and an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left resort.
Please note: All Neilson Active employees are required to complete a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment process.
