Swimming Certification Courses

Lifeguards and Swim Instructors are highly skilled and trained individuals. The skills you learn in Lifeguard Certification courses include communication, teamwork, responsibility and conflict resolution.  The City of Niagara Falls certifies Lifeguards and Swim Instructors through the Lifesaving Society, a nationally recognized certification program.  Thanks to a generous donation from the McCall MacBain Foundation, participants can apply for the Lifeguard Training Bursary Program. Information about the program is here.

Registration for Spring and Summer 2024 Programs are open now.

Steps to becoming a Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor

  1. Bronze Star (optional, prerequisite: none) Cost- $120.00

    Course Dates and Times -  Monday, April 15th - Monday, June 10th 5:30 - 7:00 (no class May 20th)

    Develop swimming proficiency, lifesaving skill and personal fitness through refining your stroke mechanics, self-rescue skills and applying fitness principles in training workouts.  

  2. Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid (prerequisite: 13 years old or completed Bronze Star) Cost-$150.00

    Course Dates and Times - Tuesday, April 9th - Tuesday, June 11th - 5:00pm - 7:00pm 

                                            OR Monday, July 8th - Friday, July 12th - 10am - 2pm @ Prince Charles Pool 

                                            OR Monday, July 22nd - Friday, July 26th - 10am - 2pm @ Prince Charles Pool 

    Challenges candidate both mentally and physically by teaching the four components of Water Rescue - Judgment, Knowledge, Skill and Fitness. Candidates acquire the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on and around the water.

    Register here - Bronze Medallion Registration

  3. Bronze Cross (prerequisite: Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid) Cost - $150.00

    Course Dates and Times - Wednesday, April 10th - Wednesday, June 12th - 5:00pm - 7:00pm 

                                            OR Monday, July 8th - Friday, July 12th - 10am - 2pm @ Prince Charles Pool 

                                            OR Monday, July 22nd - Friday, July 26th - 10am - 2pm @ Prince Charles Pool 

    Candidates begin to understand the transition of being a lifesaver to becoming a lifeguard as it prepares candidates for responsibilities as an assistant lifeguard.  Candidates strengthen and expand their lifesaving skills through teamwork, communication and learning new lifeguarding techniques.

    Register here - Bronze Cross Registration

    4. National Lifeguard - (prerequisite: 15 years old, Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid Award) - $300.00

    Course Dates and Times - Sunday, April 14th - Sunday, May 12th - 9am-6pm 

           OR Monday, August 12th - Friday, August 16th - 9am - 5pm @ Prince Charles Pool

         Candidates develop a sound understanding of lifeguarding principles, good judgment and a mature and responsible attitude toward the role of the lifeguard. The course develops the basic lifeguarding skills, principles and           decision-making processes that will assist the lifeguard to evaluate and adapt in an aquatics emergency.  

  1. National Lifeguard Recertification (prerequisite: National Lifeguard Pool) - $85.00

    Course Dates and Times - Sunday, April 7th 9am - 1pm OR Sunday, June 2nd 9am - 1pm OR Wednesday, August 21st 9am - 1pm (@ Prince Charles Pool)

    The National Lifeguard recertification course is offered to candidates who are in need of recertifying their awards to continue working as lifeguards. The exam will consist of physicals, a short review and lifeguard situations

    Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Instructor - $225.00  (prerequisite: 15 years old, Bronze Cross)

    Course Dates and Times - Friday, May 24th 5:00 - 9:00pm, Saturday, May 25th 9am - 5pm and Sunday, May 26th 9am - 5pm

         OR Friday, September 6th 5:00-9:00pm, Saturday, September 7th 9:00am - 5:00pm and Sunday, September 8th 9:00am - 5:00pm

        Candidates are prepared to teach and evaluate basic swim strokes and related skills. They learn proven teaching methods, a variety of skill development drills and correction techniques. This certification allows candidates to teach          the Swim for Life Program.

  1. Lifesaving Society Lifesaving Instructor - $225.00  (prerequisite: 15 years old, Bronze Cross)

    Course Dates and times - Friday, May 3rd 5:00-9:00pm, Saturday, May 4th 9:00am - 5:00pm and Sunday, May 5th 9:00am - 5:00pm

    Candidates are prepared to teach and evaluate basic swim strokes and related skills. This Certification allows candidates to teach Canadian Swim Patrol, Bronze Family Awards and Emergency First Aid Courses.

  2. Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid with CPR-C - (prerequisite: 13 years old) - $110.00

    Course Dates and Times - Saturday/Sunday, April 6th/7th 9:00am - 5:00pm OR Tuesday/Wednesday August 6th/7th 9:00am - 5:00pm

    Candidates learn all aspects of First Aid and CPR including legal implications of first aid treatment, spinal injuries, heat or cold injuries, bone and joint injuries, chest injuries and medical emergencies. Includes CPR-C Certification.

  3. Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid with CPR-C Recertification (prerequisite: Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid Certification dated no less than three years of the certification date) - $75.00

    Course Dates and Times  - TBD

    Candidates learn all aspects of First Aid and CPR and review the skills taught from their original certification.  The Ontario Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) specifies that Standard First Aid (SFA) award holders may recertify just once on a SFA recertification course. To renew a SFA certification subsequently, you are required to repeat the full course. Thereafter, you may renew by alternating recertifications and original courses.  If your SFA certification is older than three years, you are required to take the full course (not a recert) again. Holders of Standard First Aid certificates must recertify only with the original certifying agency. Check your Lifesaving Society qualifications using Find a Member before you attend your Standard First Aid recertification to make sure you meet the requirement.