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 water rescue course develops problem-solving and decision-making skills, prepares participants for Bronze Medallion and includes a 400-metre timed swim.
Prerequisites and Materials
Prerequisites: Participants must be 11 years old. Completion of Swim for Life 8 level or have the ability to swim 300 metres continuously.
Materials: None required.
Register here for Junior Blues Bronze Star and Basic First Aid (under 18)
Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid
The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Medallion course teaches lifesaving principles, stroke efficiency and a 400-metre endurance swim. Emergency first aid is part of this course.
Prerequisites and Materials
Prerequisites: Participants must be 13 years old OR have 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
This course builds on Bronze Medallion skills and is the prerequisite for all advanced Lifesaving Society programs, including the National Lifeguard award.
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-Pool Certification
National Lifeguard - Pool training builds on earlier lifesaving awards and 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 Standard First Aid (current certification not required).
Materials: Alert: Lifeguarding in Action, pocket mask and whistle. Available for purchase at the main office.
Register here for National Lifeguard (18+)
Register here for Junior Blues National Lifeguard (under 18)
National Lifeguard-Pool Re-Certification
Lifeguard certification is valid for two years and renewed by completing a National Lifeguard recertification exam.
Prerequisites and Materials
Prerequisites: Participants must hold a National Lifeguard certification (current certification not required) and provide proof at the course.
Materials: Pocket mask and whistle. Available for purchase at the main office.
Register here for National Lifeguard re-certification
Swim Instructor
The course prepares participants to teach and evaluate swimming strokes and related skills in the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program.
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, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, 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.