Unlock employment opportunities with an aquatic certification at Sport & Rec. We offer all the courses required to become a certified lifeguard or swim instructor, leading to job opportunities at Sport & Rec and beyond!
Program Descriptions and Prerequisites
Please note that some classes listed below are combined with U of T student programs (17+) and Junior Blues programs (under 18).
Bronze Star
This introductory Lifesaving Society course in water rescue prepares participants for success in Bronze Medallion. The course develops problem-solving and decision-making skills individually and in pairs, and includes a 400-metre timed swim.
Prerequisites and Materials
Prerequisites: Participants must be 11 years old. Completion of Swim for Life 8, or the ability to swim 300 metres continuously, is strongly recommended.
Materials: None required.
Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid
The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Medallion award teaches the principles of lifesaving. Test items include stroke efficiency and a 400-metre endurance swim. Emergency first aid is taught and evaluated as part of this course. Bronze Medallion is the prerequisite for Bronze Cross.
Prerequisites and Materials
Prerequisites: Participants must be 13 years old, or 12 with a Bronze Star certification (current certification not required).
Materials: Canadian Lifesaving Manual, Bronze Medallion Workbook and pocket mask. Available for purchase at the main office.
Register here for Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid (18+)
Register here for Junior Blues Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid (under 18)
Bronze Cross
Bronze Cross is an advanced lifesaving course and a prerequisite for all advanced training programs, including the National Lifeguard award and instructor certifications. The course includes a timed 400-metre swim.
Prerequisites and Materials
Prerequisites: Participants must have successfully completed Bronze Medallion and Emergency or Standard First Aid (current certification not required).
Materials: Canadian Lifesaving Manual, Bronze Cross Workbook, pocket mask and whistle. Available for purchase at the main office.
Register here for Bronze Cross (18+)
Register here for Junior Blues Bronze Cross (under 18)
National Lifeguard Certification
National Lifeguard training builds on the skills, knowledge and values taught in earlier lifesaving awards. The National Lifeguard award is the standard lifeguarding certificate in Canada.
Prerequisites and Materials
Prerequisites: Participants must be at least 15 years old by the exam date, have successfully completed Bronze Cross and hold Standard First Aid and Basic Rescuer/Level C CPR (current certification not required).
Materials: Alert: Lifeguarding in Action. Available for purchase at the main office.
Register here for National Lifeguard
National Lifeguard Re-Certification
Lifeguard certification is valid for two years and is renewed by completing a National Lifeguard re-certification exam. The exam may take five to eight hours, depending on the number of candidates.
Prerequisites and Materials
Prerequisites: Participants must hold a National Lifeguard certification (current certification not required) and provide proof at the course.
Materials: None required.
Register here for National Lifeguard re-certification
Swim Instructor
The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor course prepares participants to teach and evaluate swimming strokes and related skills in the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program. Candidates learn proven teaching methods, planning skills, stroke development drills and correction techniques.
Prerequisites and Materials
Prerequisites: Participants must be at least 15 years old by the exam date and have successfully completed Bronze Cross (current certification not required).
Materials: Swim Instructor Pack (includes Instructor Manual, Swim for Life Award Guide, Teaching Swim for Life and Leadership Binder)
Register here for Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor
Certification Course Requirements and Policies
Enrollment requirements
All leadership courses require 100 per cent active participation and attendance, including in-water participation for aquatics courses. Please ensure all prerequisites are met before enrolling and be prepared to show proof at the first class.
Course policies
Certification courses are pass/fail and include an exam date. Participants must be self-motivated and commit to a learning contract at the first class.
Participants who are unsuccessful in passing a certification course must re-take the entire course; candidates will not be permitted the opportunity to be re-examined.
Fitness components
Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross and National Lifeguard courses all contain a mandatory fitness component. Visit the Lifesaving Society for details: Bronze Star and National Lifeguard.
Refunds and transfers
Refunds or transfers must be requested at least four days prior to the start of the course, or a full fee will apply.
Privacy notice
Certifications are issued by the Lifesaving Society and the Canadian Red Cross. The Sport & Rec/Junior Blues Program is required to disclose names, addresses and birth dates for all participants in order to issue certificates.
Need Support With Funding?
Launch to Leadership offers reimbursement for certification courses to support your career development.