YMCA Aquatic Leadership/Certification Courses

YMCA Aquatic Leadership/Certification Courses

Steps to becoming a Lifeguard

  1. Complete Intermediate First Aid (click here)
  2. Complete Bronze Medallion
  3. Complete Bronze Cross
  4. Complete National Lifeguard

After these four courses are complete you can stop there and apply to local pools to work as a Lifeguard, however most pools in Alberta require an Instructor Certification as well.

  • Swim and Lifesaving Instructor

The YMCA offers a variety of Advanced Lifesaving Courses! Curious about more courses or have any questions or concerns regarding registration, including full sessions, please feel free to reach out to the Aquatic Leadership Team [email protected].


To secure your place in this program, payment is due at the time of registration.  If you are unable to make a full payment at the time of registration, please contact our Membership Services department by calling 403-942-5757 or by email us at [email protected].


In order to receive member pricing, the membership must remain in effect for the duration of the program.  Should the participant cancel their membership prior to the end of the program, the YMCA of Lethbridge requires the participant to pay the difference between the member and the non-member pricing to continue in the program.

1. Bronze Medallion

Cor Van Raay YMCA
5/11/24 - 10/20/24
VIEW

Bronze Medallion teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue education: judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness. Rescuers learn tows, carries, and defense and release methods in preparation for challenging rescues of conscious and unconscious victims.


Prerequisite(s): 13 years or older and CPR – C


What to Bring: Lunch, Snacks, Bathing suit(s), Towels, Pen and Paper.


Dates and Times: 

May 11th-12th 2024

  • All dates – 9:00AM-5:00PM

October 19th-20th 2024

  • All dates – 9:00AM-5:00PM

Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberNon-Member
Members & Public 3/1/23 12/31/24 Online / Front Desk $ 150.00$ 165.00

Available Sessions

Date(s) Spots
Available
05/11/24 - 05/12/24
Bronze Medallion - Su,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
- Session is Full
10/19/24 - 10/20/24
Bronze Medallion - Su,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
8 / 12 Available Register  
Closes
10/18/2024

2. Bronze Cross

Cor Van Raay YMCA
5/24/24 - 11/3/24
VIEW

Bronze Cross is designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for all advanced training programs including National Lifeguard and Instructor certification.


Prerequisite(s): Bronze Medallion and Intermediate First Aid CPR-C/AED


What to Bring: Lunch, Snacks, Bathing suit(s), Towels, Pen and Paper.


Dates and Times:

May 24th-26th 2024

  • Friday May 24th – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • Saturday May 25th – 9:00AM-5:00PM
  • Sunday May 26th – 9:00AM-5:00PM

November 1st-3rd 2024

  • Friday November 1st – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • Saturday November 2nd – 9:00AM-5:00PM
  • Sunday November 3rd – 9:00AM-5:00PM

Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberNon-Member
Members & Public 3/1/23 12/31/24 Online / Front Desk $ 150.00$ 165.00

Available Sessions

Date(s) Spots
Available
05/24/24 - 05/26/24
Bronze Cross - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
- Session is Full
11/01/24 - 11/03/24
Bronze Cross - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
5 / 12 Available Register  
Closes
11/01/2024

3. National Lifeguard Pool/Waterpark

Cor Van Raay YMCA
4/2/24 - 12/15/24
VIEW

National Lifeguard Pool trains lifeguards in safety supervision and rescue in a pool environment.


Prerequisite(s): Bronze Cross, Intermediate First Aid CPR-C/AED and minimum 15 years of age by the end of the course


What to Bring: Lunch, Snacks, Bathing suit(s), Towels, Pen and Paper.


Dates and Times:

April 2nd – 6th 2024

  • All dates – 9:00AM-5:00PM

June 21st – 30th 2024

  • June 21st 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • June 22nd 9:00AM-5:00PM
  • June 23rd 9:00AM-5:00PM
  • June 28th 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • June 29th 9:00AM-5:00PM
  • June 30th 9:00AM-5:00PM

December 6th – 15th 2024

  • December 6th 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • December 7th 9:00AM-5:00PM
  • December 8th 9:00AM-5:00PM
  • December 13th 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • December 14th 9:00AM-5:00PM
  • December 15th 9:00AM-5:00PM

 


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberNon-Member
Members & Public 11/28/22 12/31/24 Online / Front Desk $ 425.00$ 475.00

Available Sessions

Date(s) Spots
Available
04/02/24 - 04/06/24
NL Pool & Waterpark - Tu,We,Th,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
- Session is Full
06/21/24 - 06/30/24
NL Pool & Waterpark - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
- Session is Full
12/06/24 - 12/15/24
NL Pool & Waterpark - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
8 / 12 Available Register  
Closes
12/06/2024

4. Swim and Lifesaving Instructor

Cor Van Raay YMCA
4/19/24 - 11/24/24
VIEW

This course is to facilitate learning of participants to Teach lessons and become knowledgeable in Lifesaving Society Leadership Programs.


Prerequisite(s): 15yrs or older and Bronze Cross or higher


What to Bring: Lunch, Snacks, Bathing suit(s), Towels, Pen and Paper.


Dates and Times: 

April 19th-28th 2024

  • April 19 & 26 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • April 20, 21, 27, 28 – 9:00AM-5:00PM

May 31st-June 9th 2024

  • May 31 & June 7 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • June 1, 2, 8, 9 – 9:00AM-5:00PM

November 15th-24th 2024

  • November 15 & 22 – 2:00PM-6:00PM
  • November 16, 17, 23, 24 – 9:00AM-5:00PM

Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberNon-Member
Members & Public 11/28/22 12/31/24 Online / Front Desk $ 350.00$ 400.00

Available Sessions

Date(s) Spots
Available
04/19/24 - 04/28/24
Swim and Lifesaving Instructor - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
- Session is Full
05/31/24 - 06/09/24
Swim and Lifesaving Instructor - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
- Session is Full
11/15/24 - 11/24/24
Swim and Lifesaving Instructor - Su,Fr,Sa - 9:00 am - 8 hrs
9 / 12 Available Register  
Closes
11/15/2024

National Lifeguard Instructor

Cor Van Raay YMCA
5/8/24 - 5/8/24
VIEW

The National Lifeguard Instructor course prepares Instructors to apply level 3 leadership competencies and strategies while teaching and evaluating.

Prerequisite(s): Current National Lifeguard (any option), Lifesaving Instructor (need not be current), National Lifeguard (any option) held for a minimum of two (2) years. Experience teaching Lifesaving Society certification programs is recommended


100% attendance mandatory.


If you have any questions or concerns regarding registration, including full sessions, please feel free to reach out to our Aquatic Manager, Jillian Johnston at [email protected]


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberNon-Member
Members and Non-members 3/1/24 6/30/24 Online / Front Desk $ 275.00$ 285.00

Available Sessions

Date(s) Spots
Available
05/08/24
We,Th - 9:00 am
4 / 12 Available Register  

Recert- National Lifeguard Recert

Cor Van Raay YMCA
4/5/24 - 5/17/24
VIEW

National Lifeguard Pool/Waterpark Recert


What to Bring: Snacks, Bathing Suit, Towel, Goggles, Prerequisites


Prerequisites: National Lifeguard Pool or Waterpark


Dates and Times:

April 5th 2024

  • 2:00PM-6:00PM

April 14th 2024

  • 9:00AM-1:00PM

May 4th 2024

  • 11:00AM-3:00PM

May 17th 2024

  • 3:00PM-7:00PM

If you have any questions or concerns regarding registration, please feel free to reach out to our Aquatic Leadership Team, [email protected]


Registration Information  

Open Close Register At MemberNon-Member
Members & Non-Members 3/27/24 5/18/24 Online / Front Desk $ 80.00$ 100.00

Available Sessions

Date(s)
04/05/24
National Lifeguard Recert - Fr - 2:00 pm - 4 hrs
Register  
04/14/24
National Lifeguard Recert - Su - 9:00 am - 4 hrs
Register  
05/04/24
National Lifeguard Recert - Sa - 11:00 am - 4 hrs
Register  
05/17/24
National Lifeguard Recert - Fr - 3:00 pm - 4 hrs
Register