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
Lifesaving Instructor (LSI) - pre-requisite: 16yrs of age, Bronze Cross | OR | Lifesaving Instructor (LSI) pre-requisite: 16yrs of age, Bronze Cross |
Swim Instructor (Lifesaving Society) pre-requisite: 15yrs of age, Bronze Cross | Water Safety Instructor - pre-requisite: 15yrs of age, Bronze Cross |
| WSI to Swim Instructor Online Transfer course - pre-requisite: Current WSI |
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
Certification | Re-certification Required |
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Bronze Medallion | No |
Bronze Cross | No |
Standard First Aid | Every 3 years or if you are employed as a lifeguard, every 2 years |
CPR 'C' Certificate | Every 3 years or if you are employed as a lifeguard, every 1 year |
NLP Pool Option | Every second year |
Learn more about careers in lifeguarding by visiting the Lifesaving Society website.
Swim Instructor
Certification Required | To Teach | Re-certification Required |
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Lifesaving Instructor | Canadian Swim Patrol Bronze Star Bronze Medallion Bronze Cross | Every second year |
Water Safety Instructor | Red Cross Program | Every second year |
Swim Instructor | Lifesaving Society Learn to Swim Program | Every second year |
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.