Lifesaving, Leadership and First Aid

Lifeguard banner

Clarington offers courses for individuals interested in becoming a lifeguard and swimming instructor or for those interested in enhancing their water safety knowledge and basic lifesaving/first aid skills in various aquatic environments.

Get on the path to becoming a Clarington lifeguard or swim instructor

View or print our How to become a Clarington Swim Instructor or Lifeguard PDF for a quick reference guide on to the steps to becoming a certified swim instructor or lifeguard!

Path to becoming a lifeguard

Learn the steps to becoming a lifeguard.

Bronze Star

Ages 10 to 12 years

Get a head start by taking Bronze Star. This program is excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion by working on swimming skills, physical fitness and rescues.

Bronze Medallion with Emergency First Aid and CPR B

Prerequisite: Ages 13 years + or completed Bronze Star

This is a prerequisite for all advanced lifesaving programs. Physical fitness, decision making and judgement skills are developed in order to prepare candidates for rescues of greater risk. Provides knowledge and skills to care for the ABCs of life. Exam on the 11th week of class. Certification fee included. Materials extra.

Bronze Cross

Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion & Emergency First Aid
This is a prerequisite for Clarington's Assistant Lifeguard positions, all advanced instructor programs and for NLS. Focus on principles of emergency procedures, deep water spinal injury management, teamwork and use of special equipment. Exam on the 11th week of class. Certification fee included.

Standard First Aid and CPR C

This course is for both the general public and all NL candidates.

Standard First Aid provides comprehensive training covering all aspects of first aid and CPR level C (adult, child, infant, two rescuer). This Lifesaving Society first aid program is recognized by Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Materials and certification fee included.

National Lifeguard

Prerequisites: Age 15 years, Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid

This NLS certification is the industry-accepted standard for lifeguards in Canada. Training provided in this course is designed to develop the basic lifeguarding skills, principles and decision-making processes which will assist the lifeguard in evaluating and adapting to different aquatic facilities and emergencies. Candidates work in a team environment allowing them to develop leadership and communication skills. Physical fitness is a basic component of the program. Standard First Aid prerequisite must be from Lifesaving Society, Canadian Red Cross or St. Johns Ambulance. No exceptions. Materials and certification fee included.

Path to becoming a swim instructor

Learn the steps to becoming a swim instructor.

Swim Instructor

Prerequisite: Minimum 15 years of age, Bronze Cross

The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor course prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate basic swim strokes and related skills. Candidates acquire proven teaching methods, a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques. Current Swim Instructors teach and certify candidates in all levels of the Swim for Life (Parent and Tot Levels 1 to 3, Preschool Levels 1 to 5, Swimmer Levels 1 to 9, and Teen and Adult Swimming).

Lifesaving Society Instructor (LSI)

Prerequisites: Age 16 years, Bronze Cross

Upon completing this program, candidates will be able to instruct the awards of the Lifesaving program (Canadian Swim Patrol program, Bronze Medal Awards, Wading Pool Attendant, Lifesaving Fitness and Distinction). Materials and certification fee included.

Grants and discounts

We know becoming a lifeguard or swim instructor isn’t easy. To help remove barriers and make becoming a Clarington lifeguard or swim instructor more accessible, we’ve created some grants and discounts so more people can access the courses required to get certified. Explore below to see if you qualify.

Leadership Course Discount

20 per cent off banner

Take 20 per cent off any lifeguarding or leadership course if you've taken any swimming lesson, lifesaving or leadership course in Clarington within the past three years.

Eligible courses include:

Bronze Star
Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid
Bronze Cross
National Lifeguard
Swim and Lifesaving Instructor

If applicable, the Leadership Course Discount is applied automatically at check out. Does not include Standard First Aid. Age requirements and prerequisites apply.

Leadership Program Grant

Becoming a lifeguard can be expensive for individuals and families facing financial challenges. That’s why we are seeking to make becoming a lifeguard easier for those in need. In partnership with Jumpstart, we are excited to offer Leadership Program Grants to cover registration costs for Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross for fall 2024.

All program prerequisites apply. For registration in Bronze Star, we recommend that you have completed Swimmer 7 or higher.

Apply for a Leadership Program Grant

About Jumpstart

Founded in 2005, Jumpstart helps kids overcome financial and accessibility barriers to sport and recreation to provide inclusive play for kids of all abilities. Through their mission of enriching kids’ lives through sports and physical activity, Jumpstart provides opportunities for kids from families in financial need to participate in sports and activities.

For fees and course dates, visit www.clarington.net/BeActive.

Join our team today!

Lifeguarding and teaching swimming lessons are great ways to gain experience, develop skills and work directly with the community. Working on our team also helps you reach your goals and lets you showcase your skills when you apply for post-secondary opportunities and build your resume.

🎬 Your future starts in Clarington

Benefits of becoming a lifeguard or swim instructor

Gain hands-on experience in a rewarding role in your community.
Develop leadership and communication skills.
Obtain transferable skills you can use in your future career.
Flexible shift schedules.
Discounted re-certification courses.

View our current job openings.

Learn about our two-step interview process

After you submit your application online, qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Wet interview

The wet interview is the first step of our hiring process. Come prepared to demonstrate a wide variety of skills you learned in your lifeguarding and leadership courses.

During the wet interview, we will evaluate your CPR, spinal injury management, instructional skills and other National Lifeguard skills.

Things to know about the wet interview:

Wet interviews typically last three hours.
It’s an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, judgement and emergency response skills.
After you apply, check your email regularly for information about your interview.
Practising your physical skills before the interview will assist you in being successful.

What to bring to the interview:

Swimsuit
Towel
Whistle
Current qualifications

Dry interview

Once you successfully pass the wet interview, you will be invited to a dry interview. This is our opportunity to learn more about you and the strengths you can bring to our team.

Things to know about the dry interview:

Dry interviews typically last 20 to 30 minutes.
Preparing for interview questions ahead of time will assist you on the day of the interview. Come prepared to speak about your experience, accomplishments, and examples of when you demonstrated job-related skills.

Bring in your qualifications to the dry interview.

First aid

Do you know what to do in an emergency? Do you want to enhance your existing first aid knowledge? Take first aid. Our standard first aid program provides comprehensive training, covering all aspects of first aid, including CPR-C.

Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) recognizes this program.

Standard First Aid certification is a prerequisite for anyone taking NL (National Lifeguard).

For fees and course dates, visit www.clarington.net/BeActive.

Emergency First Aid and CPR B vs. Standard First Aid and CPR C

Emergency First Aid is included as a part of the Bronze Medallion certification. Standard First Aid is a 16-hour comprehensive first aid certification offered as a stand-alone program. It is a prerequisite for National Lifeguard.

For more information, contact the Aquatic Programmer at 905-623-3379 ext. 2527.

Important information about Lifesaving, Leadership and First Aid aquatic programs

Exam times have been extended to ensure sufficient test time.
Anything less than 100 per cent attendance may affect the completion of the course.
Program prerequisites, including age and other required certifications, are strictly upheld. Please ensure you have reviewed the requirements carefully in the description of the course you are registering in. Candidates must bring prerequisites on the first day.
Requests for cancellations/refunds from programs must be received a minimum of three business days prior to the first class, to be considered. Exceptions will not be made.

What's on deck?

Upcoming lifeguarding, leadership, and first aid programs.

December 7 to 15
Swim Instructor

Join us at Alan Strike Aquatic and Squash Centre for this two weekend course.

Learn how to teach and evaluate basic swim strokes and related skills.

December 14
National Lifeguard Recertification

This six-hour course held at Alan Strike Aquatic and Squash Centre is a recertification for the National Lifeguard award.

December 27 to 29
Lifesaving Society Instructor

Join us at Alan Strike Aquatic and Squash Centre for this three-day crash course.

At the end of the course, candidates will be able to instruct Canadian Swim Patrol programs, Bronze Medal Awards and more.