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Aquatic Courses

Aquatic Leadership Courses

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The Guelph Y offers a wide range of advanced aquatic leadership courses to advance youth in our community. Our comprehensive and hands-on courses give individuals the proper tools and training required to advance their abilities to effectively prevent and respond to water emergencies as they actively work towards their goal of becoming a lifeguard. 

How to become a lifeguard 

At the Guelph Y, we want all youth striving to become a lifeguard to experience a seamless process while they move from course to course. Through this process, youth are able to volunteer with us and directly with our staff to help others in our community swim safely.  The chart below illustrates the steps in which youth must take in order to receive the credentials that are required.

how to become a lifeguard

Click here for a printable version of this chart. 

Please see our course offerings below:

Want more course options? Check out course offerings at our other Health and Wellness locations in Waterloo Region and Stratford. 

Bronze Star

Description: Bronze Star is excellent preparation for success in Bronze Medallion. Participants develop problem-solving and decision-making skills individually and in partners. Candidates learn CPR and develop the lifesaving skills needed to be their own lifeguard. Includes a timed 400 m swim. 

Prerequisite: None! It is recommended participants have swimming experience.


 

Course Information    Dates  Fees Registration

Weekly

Fridays

4:30 PM to 5:45 PM

 

January 14th - March 11th 2022

 

April 29th - June 24th 2022

 

 

Member: $228
Non-Member: $246



Register through your Member Portal 

Or contact Member Services

 

 

Bronze Medallion with Emergency First Aid 

Description: This program teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles and the four components of water-rescue education; judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness. Rescuers learn tows and carries, defense methods and releases in preparation for rescues of increased risk involving conscious and unconscious victims. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a 400m timed swim. Bronze Medallion includes Emergency First Aid with CPR-B.

Pre-Requisites: Bronze Star (need not be current) or 13 years of age.
Required Reference Materials: Canadian Lifesaving Manual (included in course fee).

 

Course Information    Dates  Fees Registration

Weekly

Fridays

5:00 PM to 7:30 PM

January 14th - March 11th 2022

Member: $228
Non-Member: $246



Register through your Member Portal 

Or contact Member Services

Weekly

Fridays

5:00 PM to 7:30 PM

April 29th - June 24th 2022

Bronze Cross

Description: 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. Includes a timed 400m swim.

Pre-Requisites: Bronze Medallion (need not be current) and Emergency First Aid with CPR-B (need not be current)

Required Reference Materials: Canadian Lifesaving Manual (available for purchase if needed)

 

Course Information Dates Fees Registration

Weekly

Fridays

5:00 PM to 7:30 P

January 14th - March 11th 2022

Member: $166
Non-Member: $180

Register through your Member Portal 

Or contact Member Services

Weekly

Fridays

5:00 PM to 7:30 P

April 29th - June 24th 2022

National Lifeguard & Recertification

Description: National Lifeguard training builds on fundamental skills, knowledge and values taught in previous lifesaving awards to develop the practical skills and knowledge required by lifeguards. Recognized as the standard measurement of lifeguard performance in Canada, National Life guard education is designed to develop a sound understanding of life guarding principles, good judgment and a mature and responsible attitude toward the role of the lifeguard. The National Lifeguard's primary role is the prevention of emergency situations and where this fails, the timely and effective resolution of emergencies.

The National Lifeguard program is designed to prepare lifeguards to fulfill this role as professional facilitators of safe, enjoyable aquatics. The National Lifeguard course cannot in theory or practice prepare candidates for every situation which might be encountered by NLS guards working in Canadian aquatic environments and facilities. National Lifeguard training is designed to develop the basic life guarding skills, principles and decision-making processes which will assist the lifeguard to evaluate and adapt to different aquatic facilities and emergencies.

Pre-Requisites: Bronze Cross (need not be current), Standard First Aid with CPR-C (need not be current), 15 years of age.

Required Reference Materials: Alert! Lifeguarding In Action Manual (included in course fee)

 

Course Information Dates Fees Registration

Weekly

Fridays

4:30 PM to 8:30 PM

 

January 14th - March 11th 2022

Member: $301
Non-Member: $328

  

Register through your Member Portal 

Or contact Member Services

 

 

Crash Course

March Break

Time TBD

March 14th - March 18th 2022

Weekly

Fridays

4:30 PM to 8:30 PM

 April 22nd - June 24th 2022

Recertification

This course is for individuals who have already achieved the National Lifeguard certification (need not be current and are looking to recertify their award.

Course Information Dates Fee Registration

Friday

3:00 PM to 8:00 PM

 

March 18th 2022  

Member: $108
Non-Member: $76

 

Register through your Member Portal 

Or contact Member Services

 

Friday

4:30 PM to 9:00 PM

 

 

April 1st 2022

Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Instructor

Description: The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor course prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate the swimming strokes and related skills found in the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program. Candidates acquire proven teaching methods, planning skills, and a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques.

Prerequisites: 15 years of age by the end of the course; Bronze Cross certification (need not be current). Do you have the prerequisites to take this course?

 

Required references: Swim Instructor Pack (included in course fee, includes Instructor Manual, Swim for Life Award Guide, Teaching Swim for Life and Leadership Binder).

 

 

Course Description Dates Available Course Fee Register

Weekly

Sundays 

8:30am-3:30pm

 

 

August 15th - 29th 2021

Members:
$175.00

Non-Member:
$200.00

 

 

Register through your Member Portal 

Or contact Member Services

 

 

Weekend Crash Course

Fridays 4:30pm-9:00pm

Saturdays 8:00am-4:30pm

Sundays 8:00am-4:30pm

 

 

September 24th - 26th 2021

 

December 3rd - 5th 2021

 

Lifesaving Society Lifesaving and Emergency First Aid Instructor

Description: The Lifesaving Instructor course prepares instructors to teach the Lifesaving Society's:

  • Canadian Swim Patrol Program
  • Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross
  • Lifesaving Fitness, Distinction
  • Basic and Emergency First Aid, and CPR-A, CPR-B and CPR-C

Prerequisites: 15 years of age by the end of the course; Bronze Cross certification (need not be current). Do you have the prerequisites to take this course?

 

Required references: Lifesaving Instructor Pack (included in course fee, includes Instructor Manual, Swim Patrol Award Guide, Bronze Medals Award Guide, First Aid Award Guide, Leadership Binder), Canadian Lifesaving Manual (available for purchase).

 

Course Information Dates Fees Registration

Weekend Crash Course

Friday 4:30pm-9:00pm

Saturday 8:00am-4:30pm

Sunday 8:00am-4:30pm

 

October 8th - 10th 2021

Member: $180
Non-Member: $205

Register through your Member Portal 

Or contact Member Services

 

National Lifeguard Instructor

Description: The National Lifeguard Instructor course provides candidates with an understanding of the principles and practices on which the National Lifeguard program is based. The course explores teaching approaches and techniques appropriate for National Lifeguard candidates.

After successful completion of the course, National Lifeguard Instructors are certified to teach the National Lifeguard course in the option(s) they hold (i.e., National Lifeguard Instructors who hold National Lifeguard Pool may teach National Lifeguard Pool, etc.).

Prerequisites: National Lifeguard (any option) and Lifesaving Instructor certifications (need not be current). Do you have the prerequisites to take this course?

 

Required references: Alert: lifeguarding in action (available for purchase), National Lifeguard Award Guide (included in course fee).

 

Course Information Dates Fees Registration

 

Saturday and Sunday 8:00am-4:30pm

 

November 13th - 14th 2021

Member: $180
Non-Member: $210

Register through your Member Portal 

Or contact Member Services

 

 Standard First Aid with CPR-C 

Description: Learn to deal with injuries and medical emergencies at home, work, or play. Standard First Aid provides comprehensive training covering all aspects of first aid and CPR. Standard First Aid incorporates all of Emergency First Aid and is designed for those who require a more in-depth understanding of first aid. This program includes legal implications of first aid treatment, spinal injuries, heat and cold injuries, bone and joint injuries, abdominal and chest injuries, burns, and medical emergencies. CPR-C covers all aspects of CPR skills and theory for adults, children, and infants. CPR-C certification is included in Standard First Aid. The Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid Certification is recognized by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.

Pre-Requisite: None

Required Reference Materials: Canadian First Aid Manual (available for purchase if needed)

 

Course Information Dates Available Course Fee Register

Friday 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM

and Saturday 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM

February 25th-26th 2022

April 22nd-23rd 2022

June 17th-18th 2022

September 23rd-24th 2022

November 25th-26th 2022

Members:
$121.00

Non-Member:
$153.00

 

Register through your Member Portal 

Or contact Member Services

Standard First Aid with CPR-C Recertification  

Course Information Dates Available Course Fee Register

Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM

February 19th 2022

April 9th 2022

June 11th 2022

September 17th 2022

November 19th 2022

Member: $76

Non-Member: $108

Register through your Member Portal 

Or contact Member Services

 

 

If you have any questions about our offerings and availability please contact Member Services directly with the information provided below. For questions regarding courses relating to becoming a lifeguard and requirements, please contact Michelle Goodman, Supervisor of Aquatics, with the information provided below. 

 

 

Contact Us

Michelle Goodman
Supervisor, Aquatics
130 Woodland Glen Drive
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 4M3
T.: 519-824-5150 ext. 266
F.: 519-824-4729
Email: Supervisor of Aquatics
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YMCA of Three Rivers | Guelph
130 Woodland Glen Drive, Guelph,
Ontario N1G 4M3
Phone: 519-824-5150, Fax: 519-824-4729
Contact Us

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  • Adults and Older Adults
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    • Guelph Y Personal Trainers
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    • Personal Training Packages
    • View All...
  • Child Care
    • After School Programs
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    • Full Time and Part Time Licensed Child Care
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    • Contact Child Care Staff
    • Curriculum
  • Community Events and Programs
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    • Access for Kids
    • Camp (Summer, Holidays and PD Days)
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    • Teen Activities and Programs
Charitable Registration Number: 11930 6942 RR 0001
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