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Lifeguard Training & Certification

Lifeguard Training/Certification & Instructor Courses

Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District is a proud provider of Red Cross Training.

So, You Think You Want To Be a Lifeguard?

If you are interested in becoming a lifeguard and want to improve your swimming skills, this is the class for you! Sessions allow participants to practice their swimming skills in order to pass the lifeguard training pre-requisites. Sign up for one or multiple dates!

Instructor: Aquatics Staff
Age: 15 years and older
Fee: Free!
Location: PH Aquatic Park, 147 Gregory Lane

9/6-3/28/26 | Sa | 10:00-11:00 am
No class 11/29, 12/27, 1/3

Prerequisites & Certification

Students should be prepared to be in and out of the water multiple times each day. Please bring athletic swimwear which will stay in place during water activities, towel(s), sunscreen, lunch/snacks, water, hat, swim cap and anything else you may need during class.

Lifeguard Training and Lifeguarding Recertification Prerequisites

Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:
Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl (freestyle), breaststroke or a combination of both (Swim goggles are allowed),
Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs,
Swim 50 yards using the front crawl (freestyle), breaststroke or a combination of both.
While swimming, you must swim continuously, keeping your face in the water and demonstrating good breath control. While treading, you may only use your legs, your hands must be under your armpits and your head must remain above the surface of the water.
Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (Your face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed),
Surface dive to a depth of 7 - 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object,
Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on your back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping your face at or near the surface (swimming the distance underwater is not permitted),
Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Certification Requirements for Lifeguard Training and Lifeguarding Recertification Courses

To receive American Red Cross certification, participants must:

Pass all course prerequisites,
Complete the required online learning in advance of the in-person sessions (online learning is not required for recertification courses, but is STRONGLY recommended due to recent changes in course content)
Attend all class sessions in their entirety and participate in all class sessions,
Actively participate in all course activities, including assuming various roles during skill practices, skill drills, activities and scenarios,
Demonstrate proficiency in all skills,
Pass the final written exam with a minimum grade of 80%, and
Pass the three (3) final skill assessments.

Failure to meet the course prerequisites, complete any required online learning, attend all classes in their entirety, participate in course activities, demonstrate proficiency in all skills, failure of the written exam or failure of any of the final skill assessments will result in forfeiture of class fees and certification will not be granted.

Students who successfully complete the course and meet certification requirements will receive their certificate within 10 business days from the last class. Certificates will be sent to each student’s email directly from the Red Cross (no-reply@redcross.org). Please be sure to verify your email and name for your certification with the course instructors.

*Physical Contact

The District is committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all. Students should be aware that they will come into physical contact with each other during class activities. Every effort must be made to avoid physical contact that may be perceived as offensive and/or unwelcome. If you have any questions, please speak to a course instructor.

Lifeguard Training

Learn how to save a life and become an American Red Cross certified lifeguard! After successful completion, the American Red Cross will issue certificates in Lifeguarding (including deep water) with CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid, Administering Emergency Oxygen and Title 22. Bring swimsuit, towel, resuscitation mask (receive in class), and lunch each day. Required prerequisites must be successfully completed at first class. This class consists of approximately 6 hours of online learning, which must be completed before the first class meeting. See registration receipt for link to online learning and access to Lifeguarding Manual eBook. Students will receive more information via email approximately 1 week before the first class meeting.

To Register: Click on "Register" button to be taken to our registration system.
Registration Deadline: In general, registration closes at noon the business date before the first class meeting. Check the class details in our registration system to confirm when registration closes.
Instructor: Aquatics Staff
Age: Students must be 15 years old by the last day of class
Fee: $280/$260 (Dist. Res.)
Location: PH Aquatic Park, 147 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Attendance is required at all class dates/times; make-ups are not allowed.

Lifeguarding Recertification

The primary purpose of a recertification course is to give participants who are currently certified in American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) the opportunity to review the course knowledge and skills within a formal course setting to maintain their American Red Cross Lifeguarding (including Deep Water) certification.

To participate in the Lifeguarding Recertification course, participants must:

Hold a current certification, or expired by no more than 30 days, in American Red Cross Lifeguarding that includes training in deep water 7 feet or deeper. Must provide proof of most recent certification to instructor on first day of class.
- No refunds will be granted to students who are unable to provide evidence they meet this Red Cross requirement, and they will not be permitted to stay for class.
Successfully complete the Lifeguarding (including Deep Water) prerequisite swimming skills evaluations.

Upon successful completion, the American Red Cross will issue the certificate Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid that is valid for 2 years.

Bring swimsuit, towel, resuscitation mask, and lunch each day. Resuscitation masks are available for an additional fee when registering. Attendance is required at all class meetings. No make-ups allowed.

This class is NOT appropriate for students who have never taken the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Course.

See registration receipt for link to online learning (optional for Recertification courses) and access to Lifeguarding Manual eBook.

Note: The Red Cross recently updated the Lifeguarding Course and students are STRONGLY encouraged to complete the online learning to review changes in the content before their in-person sessions. See registration receipt for link to online learning.

To Register: Click on "Register" button to be taken to our registration system.
Registration Deadline: In general, registration closes at noon the business date before the first class meeting. Check the class details in our registration system to confirm when registration closes.
Instructor: Aquatics Staff
Age: 16 years and older
Fee: $220/$200 (Dist. Res.)
Location: PH Aquatic Park, 147 Gregory Lane

Attendance is required at all class dates/times; make-ups are not allowed.

Lifeguarding Instructor Course

This course trains instructor candidates to teach the basic-level American Red Cross Lifeguarding courses.

Students must:

Have a current basic-level certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid.
Successfully complete the online session of the Lifeguarding Instructor course prior to the first class session (will take approximately 2 hours to complete)
Obtain current edition (r.24) participant materials (instructor materials will be provided to instructor candidates who successfully complete the prerequisite skill assessment scenario)
Successfully complete the prerequisite skill assessment scenario.

Attendance is required at all classes, in addition to assigned homework.

The LGI Basic-Level Lifeguarding Certification course provides the opportunity for Instructors to attain a basic-level certification in Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water), while participating in a lifeguarding instructor course. To earn certification, candidates must:

Be evaluated as successful in a qualifying LGI course.
Complete all online content in advance of the corresponding in-person sessions.
Successfully complete the Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) prerequisite swimming skills evaluations.
Pass the final written exam(s) with a minimum grade of 80%
Pass the 3 final skill assessments.
Please be prepared to spend additional time after the Instructor course to complete the basic level certification test out.

Candidates who successfully complete the Lifeguarding Instructor Basic-Level Lifeguarding course will be issued an American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid certification, valid for 2 years.

Instructor: Korey Riley
Age: Students must be 17 years old by the last day of class
Fee: $350/$300 (Dist. Res.)
For an additional fee, the optional basic level lifeguarding certification can be added to your cart during registration.
Location: PH Aquatic Park, 147 Gregory Lane

Fall 2026 8718.303, 10am-4pm
Sun 12/6, Sun 12/13, Sun 12/20

Attendance is required at all class sessions.

Registration deadline 11/29/26. Information about the required online work will be sent to registered participants approximately 1 week before the first-class meeting.

To be notified of future Lifeguard Instructor classes, please fill out this form.

Lifeguarding Instructor/Instructor Trainer Recertification

The purpose of a Lifeguarding Instructor/Instructor Trainer (LGI/IT) Recertification course is to give LGI/ITs the opportunity to review the course knowledge and skills within a formal course setting to maintain their LGI/IT certification. Successful completion of the LGI/IT Recertification course is the only method for maintaining certification as an American Red Cross LGI/IT.

Note: The American Red Cross released an updated Lifeguarding program in February 2024. All current LGI/ITs were required to complete the online update for the r.24 Lifeguarding program by August 31, 2024 in order to remain certified as an LGI/IT. Successful completion of the r.24 Lifeguarding program update provides a 1 year certification. Only those LGI/ITs who completed the online update by August 31, 2024 are eligible to complete in the LGI/IT Recertification Course.

Prerequisites:

Possess a current, or expired by no more than 1 year, American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor/Instructor Trainer (r.24) certification.
Successfully complete the online session of LGI/IT Recertification course prior to the in-person session. It will take 6-8 hours to complete the online sessions.
- The online sessions consist of two courses:
  - Basic-level lifeguarding blended learning online content
  - Lifeguarding Instructor/Instructor Trainer Recertification blended learning online content

The LGI/IT Basic-Level Lifeguarding Certification course provides the opportunity for LGI/ITs to attain a basic-level certification in Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water), while participating in a lifeguarding instructor course. To earn certification, candidates must:

Be evaluated as successful in a qualifying LGI/IT course.
Complete all online content in advance of the corresponding in-person sessions.
Successfully complete the Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) prerequisite swimming skills evaluations.
Pass the final written exam(s) with a minimum grade of 80%
Pass the 3 final skill assessments.
Please be prepared to spend additional time after the Instructor/Trainer recertification to complete the basic level certification test out.

Age: 17+
Fee: $187/$150 (Dist. Res.)
For an additional fee, the optional basic level lifeguarding certification can be added to your cart during registration.
Location: PH Aquatic Park, 147 Gregory Lane
Time: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Notes: Bring your instructor materials, lifeguarding manual (digital or print), suit, towel, resuscitation mask, fanny pack and lunch/snack.

Winter 2026
Registration opens at 9:00 am:
1/24 for District Residents, 1/26 for Non-Residents

8718.104 | 3/6 | Fri | 9:00 am-5:00 pm

To Register: Click on "Register" button to be taken to our registration system.

To be notified of future Lifeguarding Instructor/Instructor Trainer Recertification classes, please fill out this form.

Water Safety Instructor Course

The American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor™ (WSI) course provides training needed to teach courses in the ARC Swimming and Water Safety Program. After successful completion, you will be able to teach a variety of swimming and water safety classes. This is a blended learning class, and online learning must be completed between each class session, in addition to assigned homework. Bring suit, towel and WSI books (receive in class) to every class.

Online learning and homework are required for successful completion of the course.

Participants must pass prerequisite swimming skills test the first day of class:

Swim 25 yards each of crawlstroke, backstroke, breaststroke, elementary backstroke and side stroke.
Swim 15 yards of butterfly
Tread water for 1 minute
Float or scull on back in deep water for 1 minute.

Instructor: Korey Riley & Taya Denney
Age: Students must be 15 years old by the last day of class
Fee: $350/$300 (Dist. Res.)
Location: PH Aquatic Park, 147 Gregory Lane

Fall 2026 8718.301, 10am-4pm
Sun 11/8, Sat 11/14, Sun 11/15, Sun 11/22

Attendance is required at all class sessions.

Registration deadline 11/1/26. Information about the required online work will be sent to registered participants approximately 1 week before the first-class meeting.

To be notified of future WSI classes, please fill out this form.