Freelance water ski instructor

Students of all ages, usually paying the club or lake, which then pays you. Some instructors also take private bookings through a venue.

A fee per lesson or per session, agreed with each venue. Work is mostly seasonal, with the busiest times in summer, weekends and school holidays.

• Confident water skier
• Patient, clear teaching
• Safety awareness around water and boats
• Good with beginners and children

• Check which coaching qualification each venue requires before they will let you teach
• Check whether you need your own public liability and professional indemnity insurance, or are covered by the venue
• Work is seasonal and weather dependent, so income can be uneven
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC for Self Assessment
• Safeguarding rules apply when teaching children, so check what the venue expects

Estimated startup costs are typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on what you need to bring yourself and what each venue covers. Lakes and clubs usually provide the water, boat and kit, so check this with each venue.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on how many lessons you teach and which venues you work with. Work is seasonal and weather dependent, so income can be uneven.

Check which coaching qualification each venue requires before you teach. Also check whether you need your own public liability and professional indemnity insurance, what safeguarding the venue expects for children, and register as a sole trader with HMRC for Self Assessment.