Swimming Certification Courses

If you enjoy swimming and want to help others stay safe in the water, the City of Niagara Falls offers fun and rewarding courses to become a certified lifeguard or swim instructor. These programs teach valuable skills like teamwork, communication, and responsibility.


Lifeguard and swim instructor certification courses

The City of Niagara Falls certifies lifeguards and swim instructors through the Lifesaving Society, a nationally recognized program.

Fees: Find the current fees on our Schedule of Fees page.

Two lifeguards at MacBain Community Centre indoor pool, standing on the pool deck and smiling for the camera. Both wearing red lifeguard uniform shirts.

Lifeguard Certification Path

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

Prerequisite: None

Course dates and times:

  • July 20 to July 24 - Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • August 17 to August 21 - Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Location: Prince Charles Park Pool, 6360 Arad Street, Niagara Falls

Register and pay

Description: Challenges the 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

Prerequisite: Must be at least 13 years old or have completed Bronze Star

Course dates and times:

  • July 6 to July 10, Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • July 13 to July 17, Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • July 27 to July 31, Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • August 10 to August 14, Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Location: Prince Charles Park Pool, 6360 Arad Street, Niagara Falls

Register and pay

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

Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid

Course dates and times

  • July 6 to July 10, Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • July 13 to July 17, Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • July 27 to August 31, Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • August 10 to August 14, Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Location: Prince Charles Park Pool, 6360 Arad Street, Niagara Falls

Register and pay

National Lifeguard

Description: 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 basic lifeguarding skills, principles, and decision-making processes that will assist the lifeguard in evaluating and adapting to an aquatics emergency.

Prerequisite: Must be at least 15 years old, Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid

Course dates and times

  • July 20 to July 24, Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • August 17 to August 21, Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Location: Prince Charles Park Pool, 6360 Arad Street

Register and pay

National Lifeguard Recertification

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

Prerequisite: National Lifeguard Pool

Course dates, times and location:

  • Sunday, May 3, from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm - MacBain Community Centre Pool, 7150 Montrose Road
  • Friday, August 14, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm - Prince Charles Park Pool, 6360 Arad Street

Register and pay

The MacBain Community Centre indoor pool. A swimming lesson instructor is in the water talking to three young children

Swim Instructor Certifications

Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Instructor

Description: 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.

Prerequisite: You must be at least 15 years old and have Bronze Cross

Course dates and times:  

  • April 16 to May 14 - Thursdays from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
  • May 29 to May 31 - Friday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • July 14 to July 16 - Tuesday to Thursday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Location: MacBain Community Centre, 7150 Montrose Road

Register and pay

Lifesaving Society Lifesaving Instructor

Description: 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.

Prerequisite: You must be at least 15 years old and have Bronze Cross

Course dates and times: Friday, April 24, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 pm, and Saturday, April 25 & Sunday, April 26, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Location: MacBain Community Centre, 7150 Montrose Road

Register and pay

A close up photo of someone on their knees, doing chest compression on a white plastic dummy for a first aid or CPR class.

First Aid Courses

Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid with CPR-C

Description: 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.

Prerequisite: You must be at least 13 years old.

Course dates and times:

  • Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday, July 8 and Thursday, July 9, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday, August 5 and Thursday, August 6, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Location: MacBain Community Centre, 7150 Montrose Road

Register and pay

Standard First Aid with CPR-C Recertification

Standard First Aid Recertification Policy: The Ontario Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) specifies that Standard First Aid (SFA) award holders may recertify just once on an SFA recertification course. To renew an SFA certification, you must 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 retake the full course (not a recertification). Holders of Standard First Aid certificates must recertify only with the original certifying agency.

Prerequisite: Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid with CPR-C Certification within three years of certification

Course dates and times: Friday, August 7, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Register and pay

Refunds for aquatic leadership and first aid courses

Refund policy:

Requests for refunds must be received in writing at aquatics@niagarafalls.ca at least seven days before the start of the program. No refunds are issued after this time.

A $10.00 administration fee will apply for each participant.

A full refund is given if the program is cancelled by the City of Niagara Falls.

Lifeguard Busary Program

The City of Niagara Falls is excited to offer a subsidized leadership opportunity to youth in the community ages 13 to 23 who demonstrate a commitment to personal development and community service. Program participants will receive training and mentorship from City of Niagara Falls staff who will support them on their journey to become a fully certified Lifeguard and Swim Instructor.

Program participants will be provided with a bursary to cover 75% of their Lifeguard training. Upon successful completion of the certifications and the City's recruitment process, program applicants will have the opportunity to be employed with the City of Niagara Falls.

How to participate in the Lifeguard Bursary Program

  1. Complete the application. Applications for Summer 2026 Programs should be submitted by June 15, 2026, to ensure registration availability.
  2. Once your application is approved, you will be registered for your first course and will pay 75% of the course fee. Aquatics Staff will reach out to you when this is completed.
  3. Upon completion of your training, you will be given priority recruitment for employment with the City of Niagara Falls Aquatics Team

Who can apply?

  • Youth between 13 and 23 years of age 
  • Youth that are committed to personal development and community service
  • Applicant is a Niagara Region resident and a Canadian citizen who is able to work in Canada
Preference will be given to candidates who express a need for financial assistance and have prior experience in aquatics and have expressed an interest in becoming a leader in this area.

Training program

The City of Niagara Falls is an affiliate of the Lifesaving Society. To accomplish your lifeguard training, you will complete the following programs:
  • Bronze Medallion
  • Bronze Cross
  • Standard First Aid with CPR-C
  • National Lifeguard
  • Lifesaving Swim Instructor
Certification course dates are offered on a session basis. Current program dates and details are found on this webpage. Back to top

Frequently asked questions

Need more information?
Email aquatics@niagarafalls.ca or call 905-356-7521 ext. 4139.

Yes. Applicants must be residents of the City of Niagara Falls to be eligible to participate in the Lifeguard Bursary Program.

Our trained staff will work with you on a training plan for you to complete your courses. If you are not successful in the skills assessment for the program, then we will look at options for you to complete the training in our regular program stream.

Each course can take anywhere from one weekend to ten weeks - it just depends on the course format and offering. Typically it will take a year to complete all your courses (as long as you meet the minimum age requirements). 

If you do not pass the exam for your course, then you will have to retake the course.  Any course participants who are retaking the course will be charged the exam fee.

Speak with your class instructor, and they will work with you on a plan to complete the courses during another session.  

All candidates will be required to participate in the City's recruitment process. Recruitment opportunities depend on the jobs available.

Yes - speak with our aquatics supervisor, and they can work with you on a plan to complete your certifications.

Contact Us

City of Niagara Falls
4310 Queen Street
P.O. Box 1023
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
Canada
905-356-7521
service@niagarafalls.ca