How to Become a Swim Instructor & Lifeguard with the NVRC

North Vancouver Recreation & Culture offers all the courses you need to qualify to teach swimming and be a lifeguard.  Both swim instruction and lifeguarding certifications are needed in order to be employed at our pools. 

All courses require 100% attendance. Withdrawals must be made at least 8 days before the start of a course to receive a full refund.  Many of these courses require re-certification - please see certification chart below.

Please Take the Following Courses in Order:

Lifesaving Certifications

• Bronze Star (optional) - pre-requisite: 12yrs of age
• Bronze Medallion - pre-requisite: 13yrs of age or Bronze Star
• Bronze Cross - includes CPR 'C' - pre-requisite: Bronze Medallion

View courses online

Lifeguard Certifications

• Standard First Aid (SFA) - includes CPR 'C - pre-requisite: 15yrs of age
  Standard First Aid is a comprehensive course that demonstrates how to initiate emergency care. This course covers instruction on prevention, recognition and treatment of life-threatening emergencies. 
• National Lifeguard Program (NLP) - pre-requisite: 15yrs of age, Bronze Cross and SFA
  Standard First Aid is a comprehensive course that demonstrates how to initiate emergency care. This course covers instruction on prevention, recognition and treatment of life-threatening emergencies. 

Instructor Certifications

View our Aquatic Leadership courses online.

Once the above certifications are complete you can start your application to work with us! Apply online 

Further certifications to be completed during application and hiring process:

• High Five: Principles of Healthy Child Development
• Swim Academy Instructor

Lifeguard

Learn more about careers in lifeguarding by visiting the Lifesaving Society website.

Swim Instructor

Learn more about careers in swim instruction by visiting the Lifesaving Society and Red Cross websites.

To find out more about becoming a lifeguard or swim instructor, talk to the aquatic staff at one of the NVRC pools or contact Rojin Meehan at 604-983-6421 or by email.

Is a 2.5 hour class interactive safety training program for youth ages 10+. This program prepares youth for the important step of staying home alone safely. This course teaches safety, first aid, and comfort skills through interactive games and role playing. Staying home alone isn’t an event, it’s a process. Students will come away with knowledge, skills and more confidence. View courses online.

This 1-day training for youth ages 11+ provides instruction in child care, safety procedures and activities for young children.  Students will come away with  tools and resources to confidently babysit in their community. View courses online.

Become a Tennis Coach

Tennis Canada has a comprehensive Instructor Certification Program.

Tennis BC offers the first level of training for the Instructor certification. The Instructor Program only takes two weekends to complete, and certifies you to teach group lessons for level 1.0 to 2.5 players in a park/recreation department or as a seasonal club pro. You will learn how to implement pre-planned content and how to run cooperative drills on one to three courts.  For more information or to register, visit Tennis BC's website, call 604-737-3086.

Working with children in recreation is a rewarding and fun experience.  North Vancouver Recreation & Culture is always looking for enthusiastic and skilled children's instructors.  View our current employment opportunities.

Most children's program instructors gain experience volunteering with NVRC in programs and daycamps.  It is also recommended that candidates be certified in High Five and First Aid.