Aquatics
Water Safety Instructor Class, Ages 16+
The Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Class (WSI) will certify you to teach all levels of Red Cross Swimming lessons to children, adults and individuals with special needs. This 30 hour course will consist of both pool and classroom time. Through video and hands-on skill building, in and out of the water, the Water Safety Instructor course is designed to train instructors to use a variety of teaching strategies, including: class management techniques, lesson planning and execution, observation and assessment, and new tools to be a great instructor. Coursework must be downloaded and viewable on a technology device, brought to class. Participants must be 16 years of age by the final day of the course. A preliminary swimming skills pretest will follow the informational meeting where course details are explained and dates are set. Please bring suit, goggles and towel.
Lifeguard Training, Ages 15+
The purpose of this class is to teach students the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. Through videos, group discussion and hands-on practice, you’ll learn teamwork and the skills you will need to work as a professional lifeguard. Included in the class are rescue and surveillance skills, First Aid, CPR/AED training and Blood Borne Pathogen Training.
Students must be 15 years of age and must pass a water skills pretest. There can be no exceptions to the 15-year old age requirement. The water skills pretest includes the following:
- Swim continuously for 500 yards using the front crawl and the breaststroke.
- Swim 20 yards, surface dive to a depth of 10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface and swim 20 yards back to the starting point.
The course is run as a “blended learning” opportunity. The blended learning format allows participants to complete a portion of the course independently, online, cutting down on in-person meeting time! Participants will spend 7-8 hours doing online course content with an additional 25 hours being at the pool and in the classroom. Attendance is mandatory for all class sessions. The students will learn the value of being a professional lifeguard and upon completion of the course, receive a two-year certification in Lifeguarding, First Aid, CPR/AED, and Blood Borne Pathogen Training.
Lifeguard Training Recertification
(Must hold a CURRENT Lifeguard Training certificate)
To be eligible for Lifeguard Training recertification, students must hold a current Lifeguard Training certificate and must pass a water skills pretest. The water skills pretest includes the following:
- Swim continuously for 500 yards using the front crawl and the breaststroke.
- Swim 20 yards, surface dive to a depth of 10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface and swim 20 yards back to the starting point.
The purpose of a recertification course is to give individuals the opportunity to review the course content and take all necessary tests to update their LGT certificate for another 2 years. Participants will meet with the instructor to do the water skills pretest, review content and skills, and then do all of the water skills, CPR/AED skills, and written tests required for recertification. The course will take 14-16 hours.