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Leadership Development

No time to come down and register? Go LIVE and register online!

Start planning now for a new career in Aquatics!

It’s a rewarding job for youth and adults.  Earn above average wages, work in a great environment, enjoy flexible hours, learn valuable leadership/life skills, and most of all, have fun working!

How to become a lifeguard/instructor:

  • Step 1 - Bronze Medallion
  • Step 2 - Bronze Cross
  • Step 3 - NLS/SFA/CPR C
  • Step 4 - Assistant Water Safety Instructor *If you’re not yet 16, you can take this class before taking NLS as long as you’re 15 years of age. 
  • Step 5 - Water Safety Instructor

Please keep in mind that all of the following courses are offered when there is sufficient interest to fill the classes. If you are interested, please call the pool and your name will be placed on a waiting list if it is not being currently offered. All courses require a minimum number of participants to run.

All courses listed below are 100% mandatory attendance. There may be pre-course assignments, so register a minimum of 1 week in advance.

Lifeguard Training

Bronze Star (11 & older) 

Excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion! Learn self rescue techniques, in-water searches, first aid and water rescue skills. Develop stroke endurance and lifesaving fitness skills.  (Includes CPR – A certification)

View Course Dates, Times and Fees

Step 1 – Bronze Medallion

Prerequisites: 13 & older

Candidates learn about circulatory injuries, spinal management, self rescue techniques, defense and release methods, tows and carries, in preparation for challenging rescues, involving conscious and unconscious victims. Develop stroke efficiency/endurance in a timed swim. (Includes CPR-B certification)

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Step 2 – Bronze Cross

Prerequisites: 14 & older and completion of Bronze Medallion

Candidates develop proficiency at performing patient assessments, managing aquatic spinals and preventing the loss of life in a variety of aquatic emergencies.  Continue to develop stroke endurance and fitness training skills.  (Includes CPR-C certification)

View Course Dates, Times and Fees

Step 3 – National Lifeguard Service Award – Pool Option

Prerequisites:  16+, completion of Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid Level C CPR (current within 6 months)

Develop the basic lifeguarding skills to adapt to different aquatic facilities and situations.  You will be trained in injury prevention, public relations, safety, supervision, teamwork and rescues.  Candidates should expect 6-10 hours of homework in addition to class time.  100% attendance is required.  Pick up candidate work book and manual prior to course as workbook is due on first day of class. 

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Instructor Courses

Step 4 – Red Cross Assistant Water Safety Instructor

Prerequisites: 15 & older

This 30 hour program is the prerequisite to the Water Safety Instructor program.  Skills include teaching methods, learning styles, physical principles, progressions, communication, safety supervision and feedback.  Candidates are evaluated during 8 hours of assistant teaching and through individual study assignments.  Once certified, Assistant Water Safety Instructors have 2 years to become Water Safety Instructors. 

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Step 5 – Red Cross Water Safety Instructor

Prerequisites:  16 & older and completion of AWSI

This 25 hour program builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in the AWSI program.  Candidates will learn effective planning, teaching and evaluating Red Cross Swim lessons.  They will also learn use of proven progressions for stroke development, keeping swimmers safe while teaching to swim and play safely in the water.  To remain certified, instructors need to re certify every 2 years.  This course is recognized as a prerequisite certification for further Red Cross instructor courses 

To View Course Dates, Times and Fees, click here. 

Lifesaving Instructor Course

Prerequisites:  16+ and completion of Bronze Cross

Learn to teach and evaluate Canadian Swim Patrol, Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross Distinction.  Candidates are introduced to basic learning approaches and teaching strategies and apply them to teaching water rescue, first aid and other lifesaving skills.  This introductory leadership course is the base for most Lifesaving Society instructor certificates. 

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Lifesaving First Aid Instructor

Prerequisites: 18+, LSI, SFA, CRP C 

Lifesaving First Aid Instructor course prepares candidates to teach and evaluate the courses of the Lifesaving First Aid program (Standard First Aid, Emergency First Aid, Aquatic Emergency First Aid.)  In order for you to complete your First Aid Instructor Course you must complete a Standard First Aid course apprenticeship before being eligible for certification.

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Lifesaving Health Care Provider Instructor

Prerequisites:  18+, LSI, FA Instructor, SFA, CRP C 

An addition to the First Aid instructor course this course will give candidates the option to teach CPR C to healthcare practitioners.

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Lifesaving AED Instructor

Prerequisites:  18+, LSI, FA Instructor, SFA, CRP C 

An addition to the First Aid instructor course this course will give candidates the option to teach all three levels of the AED Program (AED PAD Program, Responder and Provider.)

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First Aid Courses

Standard First Aid Level C/CPR 

Taught by a certified Lifesaving or Red Cross first aid instructor, you will learn to recognize and treat injuries including head and spinal, soft tissue, facial, abdominal and chest, burns, bones and joints and other common medical emergencies.

View Course Dates, Times and Fees 

Re-certification Courses

Lifesaving Society Instructor Re-certification (LSI)

Re-certify your LSI re certification.  Participants must bring a copy of their certification to the course. 

View Course Dates, Times and Fees

Lifesaving Society NLS Re-cert/Pre-cert

NLS award holders are re-certified by completing the NSL Re-cert/Pre-cert clinic. The Pre-cert acts as an opportunity to become familiar with the evaluation standards.  The Re-cert as the actual evaluation segment. Please not that candidates will be required to write the Lifesaving Society standardized written exam at the Re-cert. To remain current, you must re-certify every 2 years.

Bring proof of NLS certification within the past 7 years. 

Bring current CPR C card to course also. 

View Course Dates, Times and Fees

Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Re-cert

To remain current, you must re-certify every 2 years. 

Participants must bring a copy of their certification to the course.

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CPR C Re-cert (Prerequisite: 12 years old) 

Participants must bring a copy of their certification to the course.

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Other

Pool Operator 1

Registration is through RFABC. For course dates and times, click on: www.RFABC.com (click on Courses)

Pool Operator 2 

Registration is through RFABC. For course dates and times, click on: www.RFABC.com (click on Courses)

Attention High School Students: To graduate, students have to show proof of physical activity; engaging in and recording at least 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity in each of Grades 10-12. Enroll in our leadership or fitness programs today and begin contributing to your health and education!

Refund, Transfer and Credit Policy

REFUNDS are given ONLY if we cancel a program. We reserve the right to cancel a class; we require a minimum number of registrants to run each class.

TRANSFERS (POOL ONLY) permitted when the pool is notified 7 days prior to the course start date, or at the recommendation of the instructor.

CREDITS will be issued for the unused portion of a program when the following criteria is met:

  • You provide a doctor’s note immediately. Credit starts the day the note is received by Community Services / Pool staff and is only for any remaining portion from that day on (any days missed prior to date note is received by Pool staff will not be credited, so hand in your note immediately).
  • We have a wait list and are able to resell your space.
  • (POOL ONLY) You contact the pool 7 days prior to the course start date.

NOTE: Credit must be used within one year. For more details, please call the office.