Lifeguard Training and Water Safety Instructor Certification

Class Offerings

The district is always seeking motivated and responsible swimmers to join our lifeguard training program. Improve your swim skills, develop rescue and first aid skills, and earn certification that can help you land a lifeguarding job.

Earn to Learn

The district is always seeking motivated and responsible swimmers to join our team of lifeguards and swim instructors. No certification? No problem! Introducing our Earn to Learn Program! Qualified candidates can now apply for a lifeguard or swim instructor position and receive paid, professional training while obtaining the necessary certifications free of cost. Apply here.

Interested in Earn to Learn but need to brush up on your swimming skills and stamina? Drop in to any of the Lifeguard Prep times and receive on deck support to prepare you for the pre-course swim evaluation.

Junior Lifeguarding

Jr Guard Program
THPRD’s Jr Guard/Swim Aide course is a training program for young people, aged 12-15, Level 4+, who are interested in volunteering. The course teaches basic rescue skills, scanning techniques, customer service, and emergency response. It covers first aid, CPR, and professionalism. The students learn how to assist swim instructors as they teach swim lessons to children and people experiencing disability. The young people will develop their swimming strength, confidence, and skill.

Jr Guard Alternate Track Program
THPRD’s Jr Guard/Swim Aide Alternate Track program is designed specifically for young people, aged 12-15, who have not yet learned to swim, yet are interested in learning about water safety and volunteer opportunities. The candidate must be able to enter shallow water, submerge and recover to a standing position. The course teaches them swimming skills while instructing them in basic water safety and response. They will learn first aid, CPR, and professionalism. They will learn how to assist swim instructors as they teach lessons to children and people experiencing disability. The youth will develop their own swimming strength, confidence, and skill while learning basic water rescues.

Both programs provide a launching point for a professional lifeguard certification. The youth can apply to become lifeguards and swim instructors and perform meaningful, relevant work. Volunteer hours can be used for school mandatory service requirements.

Volunteer Opportunites

Aquatic Champions (Ages 18+) provide a structured and enjoyable learning environment for youth and adults enrolled in swimming lessons with the district, while promoting participants’ physical, social and personal development. Positions are available at any district pool where swim lessons are taught. Successful applicants will commit to assisting with a full session of swim lessons, usually 8-10 lessons over over two to 10 weeks.

If you are interested in this opportunity, apply here (in English & Spanish).

Junior Lifeguards (Ages 12+) who have already complete tthe Junior Lifeguard or American Red Cross Lifeguard course will be able to start volunteering, once your volunteer application is processed.

If you are interested in this opportunity, apply here (in English & Spanish).

Lifeguard Training

Course focuses on the job of a lifeguard in a swimming pool environment, with emphasis on victim recognition, surveillance, equipment-based rescues, First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer. This swim-intensive (Level 5+) course is offered in two formats:

• Traditional: (27 hours and 25 minutes, in person)
• Blended Learning: (19 hours and 55 minutes, in-person + approximtely 7 hours and 30 minutes online)

Prerequisites

• Participants must be at least 15 years of age.
• Swim 300 yards continuously, demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing.
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs.
• Complete a timed event within 1:40: start in the water, swim 20 yards, surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object, surface and swim 20 yards on back with both hands holding the object, exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Certification Requirements

• Attend all class hours.
• Successfully complete all required skill testing in CPR for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid and Lifeguarding certifications.
• Score 80 percent on the CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Lifeguarding written exams.

Lifeguarding Review

The purpose of the review course is to give individuals with a current American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED or Shallow Water Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certification the opportunity to review the course content within a formal course setting.

• Traditional: (Approximately 10 hours and 10 minutes, in-person)

Prerequisites

• Current American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED or Shallow Water Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certification.

Certification Requirements

• Attend all class hours.
• Successfully complete all required skill testing in CPR for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid and Lifeguarding.
• Score 80 percent on the CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Lifeguarding written exams.

Water Safety Instructor Training

Through video and hands-on skill building, the course includes all the water safety and drowning prevention tools and information needed to plan and conduct courses in American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program, including Parent and Child Aquatics, Preschool Aquatics, Learn-To-Swim, Longfellow's WHALE Tales, Safety for Swim Coaches, six water safety presentations and two water safety courses.

Course is offered in two formats:

• Traditional: (31 hours and 15 minutes, in person)
• Blended learning: (23 hours and 30 minutes in person + 7 hours online)

Prerequisites

• Participants must be at least 16 years of age by last session.
• Successfully complete a pre-course skills test that includes front crawl (25 yards), back crawl (25 yards), breast stroke (25 yards), elementary backstroke (25 yards), sidestroke (25 yards), butterfly (15 yards), maintain position on back in deep water (float or scull for 1 minute), tread water (one minute).

Certification Requirements

• Attend and actively participate in all sessions (no make-up sessions).
• Complete reading and written assignments for each class.
• Participate in all water activities.
• Successfully complete four practice teaching assignments.
• Score at least 80% on written exam.

Lifeguard Instructor Training

Through video and hands-on skill building, the course reviews American Red Cross Lifeguard Training and prepares candidates to become Lifeguard Instructors. There will be multiple teaching opportunities for instructor candidates and feedback sessions provided by your peers and instructor trainers. The course will also give candidates the foundational information to teach Lifeguard Training, Water Front Skills*, Water Park Skills*, Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding** (Water less than or equal to 3ft).
*- must possess the base certification to teach class.
**- must go through bridging course to teach class.

Prerequisites

• Participants must be at least 17 years of age.
• 300-yard swim using front crawl, breaststroke, or combination of these two. Participants must demonstrate good breath control and rhythmic breathing patterns.
• Tread water using only the legs for 2 minutes.
• Complete a timed event within 1:40: start in the water, swim 20 yards, surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object, surface and swim 20 yards on back with both hands holding the object, exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
• Lifeguarding skills evaluation: Participants must be able to demonstrate all skills to the standard demonstrated in training videos and instructor skill sheets.

Certification Requirements

• Attend and actively participate in all sessions (no make-up sessions).
• Complete reading and written assignments for each class.
• Participate in all water activities.
• Successfully complete four practice teaching assignments.
• Score at least 80% on written exam.