Open the door to employment opportunities
Open the door to employment and volunteer possibilities through our YMCA Aquatic Certifications programs. Certification as a lifeguard or swimming instructor can lead to employment opportunities at the YMCA and elsewhere. You'll also develop leadership skills that can have a profound impact on your future success.
Certification Programs
Bronze Star
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 (Swim Patrol experience recommended.)
Bronze Medallion
In Bronze Medallion we emphasize the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water-rescue education: judgement, knowledge, skill, and fitness.
Rescuers will learn tows and carries as well as defence methods and releases, preparing themselves for challenging rescues involving conscious and unconscious victims of various types.
Bronze Medallion is a Lifesaving Society (LS) certification offered through the YMCA.
Prerequisite: Must be 13 years or older, or have completed Bronze Star
Upcoming Courses
Bronze Medallion and EFA Certificate Courses
Date: July 3 - July 7
Time: Mon - Fri, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $165 for YMCA Members | $175 for non-members
Date: July 7 - July 9
Time: Friday - 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sat/Sun - 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Ron Edwards Family YMCA
Fee: $165 for YMCA Members | $175 for non-members
Date: July 14 - July 16
Time: Friday - 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sat/Sun - 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Laurier Brantford YMCA
Fee: $165 for YMCA Members | $175 for non-members
Date: July 17 - July 21
Time: Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $165 for YMCA Members | $175 for non-members
Date: July 21 - July 23
Time: Friday - 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sat/Sun - 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Flamborough Family YMCA
Fee: $165 for YMCA Members | $175 for non-members
Date: July 28 to July 30
Time: Friday - 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sat/Sun - 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA
Fee: $165 for YMCA Members | $175 for non-members
Date: July 31 - Aug 04
Time: Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $165 for YMCA Members | $175 for non-members
Date: Aug 21 - Aug 25
Time: Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $165 for YMCA Members | $175 for non-members
Bronze Cross
We offer Bronze Cross classes for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training, including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities.
In this class we focus on the principles of teamwork, procedures, and the use of special equipment.
Bronze Cross is a Lifesaving Society (LS) certification offered through the YMCA. It is a prerequisite for all LS advanced training programs, including National Lifeguard and Instructor Certifications (YMCA, Lifesaving Society and Red Cross).
Prerequisite: Must have completed Bronze Medallion and Emergency and CPR B certifications.
Upcoming Courses
Bronze Cross
Date: July 10 - July 14
Time: Mon - Fri, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $165 for YMCA members | $175 for non-members
Date: July 24 - July 28
Time: Mon - Fri, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $165 for YMCA members | $175 for non-members
Date: Aug 11 - Aug 13
Time: Friday, 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sat/Sun, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Ron Edwards Family YMCA
Fee: $165 for YMCA members | $175 for non-members
Date: Aug 14 - Aug 18
Time: Mon - Fri, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $165 for YMCA members | $175 for non-members
Date: Aug 18 - Aug 20
Time: Friday, 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.Sat/Sun 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Laurier Brantford YMCA
Fee: $165 for YMCA members | $175 for non-members
Date: Aug 25 - Aug 27
Time: Friday, 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sat/Sun 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Flamborough Family YMCA
Fee: $165 for YMCA members | $175 for non-members
National Lifeguard (NL)
Learn how to fulfill your role as a professional facilitator of safe, enjoyable aquatics for everyone.
The National Lifeguard (NL) course emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and communication in the prevention of accidents and in first aid treatment of medical emergencies.
National Lifeguard is a Lifesaving Society (LS) certification offered through the YMCA. National Lifeguard is the only nationally recognized lifeguard certification in Canada.
Prerequisite: Must be 15 years or older and have completed Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid and CPR C certifications.
Upcoming Courses
National Lifeguard Course
Date: July 2 - July 30
Time: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $265 for YMCA members | $280 for non-members
Date: Aug 28 - Sep 01
Time: Mon - Fri, 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Ron Edwards Family YMCA
Fee: $265 for YMCA members | $280 for non-members
National Lifeguard Recertification Course
Date: July 08
Time: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA
Fee: $75.00 for YMCA members | $85.00 for non-members
Date: July 22
Time: Saturday, 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Laurier Brantford YMCA
Fee: $75.00 for YMCA members | $85.00 for non-members
Date: July 29
Time: Saturday, 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Ron Edwards Family YMCA
Fee: $75.00 for YMCA members | $85.00 for non-members
Date: August 06
Time: Sunday, 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $75.00 for YMCA members | $85.00 for non-members
Standard First Aid + CPR C
Standard First Aid incorporates all the emergency First Aid and is designed for those who require a more in-depth understanding including: legal implications of first aid treatment, spinal injuries, heat or cold injuries, bone, joint or chest injuries, and medical emergencies. Includes CPR C certification.
Standard First Aid + CPR C is a Lifesaving Society (LS) certification offered through the YMCA.
Upcoming Courses
LSS Standard First Aid & CPR C
Date: July 29 - July 30
Time: Saturday - Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $115 for YMCA Members | $125 for non-members
LSS Standard First Aid & CPR C - RECERTIFICATION
Date: August 20
Time: Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $65 for YMCA Members | $75 for non-members
Prerequisite(s): Must hold current LSS SFA dated within 3 years; last course must be a full SFA & CPR C course
LSS Swim & Lifesaving Instructor (Combined)
Take the next step towards employment in Aquatics! Candidates will acquire proven teaching methods, planning skills, and a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques This course offers a dual certification: Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor certification – prepares candidates to teach and evaluate swimming strokes and related skills found in the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program.
LSS Swim & Lifesaving Instructor (Combined) is a Lifesaving Society (LS) certification offered through the YMCA.
LSS Swim & Lifesaving Instructor (Combined)
Date: August 28 - Sep. 01
Time: Mon - Fri, 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Les Chater Family YMCA
Fee: $350.00 for YMCA Members | $375.00 for non-members
Prerequisite(s): Must be 15 years of age or older; Must hold Bronze Cross certification or higher.
