HELP SAVE LIVES!
In an American Red Cross lifeguard course, you will learn all of the skills necessary to be a certified Lifeguard. The purpose of the American Red Cross Certification is to teach participants the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a 2-year certification for American Red Cross Lifeguarding which includes CPR, First-aid, and AED training. We will start posting summer positions soon!
The course content and activities prepare participants to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and to prevent drowning and injuries.
Participants will be contacted at their given email address upon registration by the instuctor for further instruction. We MUST have participant email addresses and not parent/caregiver communication. This is vital to the required online learning before the first day of class.
COURSE INFORMATION
- 2026 Dates & Times:
- NEW CERTIFICATIONS SESSIONS OFFERED:
- April 8th through April 12th
- April 8th 5-9:30p; April 9th 5-9:30p; April 10th 5-9:30p; April 11th 8a-6p; April 12th 1-7p
- The instructor reserves the right to make adjustments as needed.
- Participants must attend all classes within a session and complete the online instruction before class starts if assigned by the instructor.
- If you do not pass the pre-req swim test or the course itself, the instructor will communicate what you need to do next.
- RECERTIFICATIONS SESSIONS OFFERED:
- March 27th (5pm-9pm) and March 28th (8am-2pm)
- The instructor reserves the right to make adjustments as needed.
- Participants must attend all classes within a session and complete the online instruction before class starts if assigned by the instructor.
- If you do not pass the pre-req swim test or the course itself, the instructor will communicate what you need to do next
- NEW CERTIFICATIONS SESSIONS OFFERED:
- 2026 NEW CERTIFICATION FEES:
- YMCA Member $210 class rate (a participant who does not pass the pre-req swim will receive a refund of $195)
- YMCA Nonmember $270 (a participant who does not pass the pre-req swim will receive a refund of $245)
- A full refund is not available for participants who do not pass the course based on Lifeguard Instructor assessments and tests.
- If the participant is offered extra class time per the Lifeguard Instructor, an added fee may be assessed to the participant's YMCA account for the accomodation.
**REQUIREMENTS**
- 15 Years of age on or before the final day of the course, participants under the age of 18 must have parent consent
- MUST ATTEND ALL CLASSES; NO MAKE-UPS
Pre-requisites:
- Complete online learning courses and tests
- 150 yard swim using the two approach strokes – freestyle (front crawl) and breast stroke. Participants must complete the entire swim without stopping. Goggles may be used for this part of the test.
- 2 minute tread test. Participants must tread water for 2 minutes using only their legs.
- 50 yard swim using the two approach strokes – freestyle (front crawl) and breast stroke. Participants must complete the entire swim without stopping. Goggles may be used for this part of the test.
- Retrieve a 10 pound weight tow. Each participant must swim out 20 yards using either approach stroke, dive down 7-10 feet and retrieve the 10 lb. brick, surface, tow the brick back 20 yards, and exit the pool without assistance. During this tow, your head must stay above water. Also, this entire event must be completed in 1 minute and 40 seconds.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The YMCA will reimburse 50% of the class cost if a passing participant is hired and works with us for at least 10 hours/week for 6 months.
The Y strives to train the best lifeguards around in an effort to hire directly from certified lifeguard courses. We are dedicated to providing the best staff to ensure the safety of our members and guests while in the pool. If you would like to apply to become a lifeguard, please view our current openings here.
