Please note that not all courses are offered every session.
Bronze Star (10 hours)
An excellent preparation course for success in Bronze Medallion. Participants develop problem-solving and decision-making skills. Candidates learn CPR and develop the lifesaving skills needed to be their own lifeguard. Includes a 400m timed swim.
Prerequisites: Swim Kids 10 or equivalent, minimum 11 years of age
Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid/CPR-B
(20 hours)
Teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the 4 components of water-rescue education: judgment, knowledge, skill & fitness. Rescuers learn tows and carries, and defense methods and releases in preparation for challenging rescues involving conscious and unconscious victims of various types. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance in a 500m timed swim.
Prerequisites: 13 years of age OR Bronze Star award
Bronze Cross (20 hours)
Designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced lifesaving training including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic settings. Bronze Cross is the prerequisite for all advanced training programs, including National Lifeguard Service certification. Includes a 600m timed swim.
Prerequisites: Current Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid/CPR B
Red Cross Assistant Water Safety Instructor (AWSI)
(40 hours+ 8hrs teaching experience)
Covers the foundation of instructional skills including teaching methods, learning styles, physical principles, progressions, communication, safety supervision and feedback. Candidates are evaluated during 8 hours of assistant teaching and through individual study assignments. Successful candidates are given a 12 hour teaching experience to complete before registering for the Water Safety Instructor course.
Prerequisites: 15 years of age
Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI)
(40 hours + 12 hours teaching experience)
This course further develops the candidate’s instructional skills and teaching styles, preparing them to safely and effectively teach a Red Cross swim class. Course requirements are enhanced by the 20 hours of assistant instructing assigned.
Prerequisites: Red Cross Assistant Water Safety Instructor (AWSI)
Standard First Aid with CPR-C
(16 hours)
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 requiring a more in depth understanding of first aid including: legal implications of first aid treatment, spinal injuries, heat & cold injuries, bone & joint injuries, abdominal & chest injuries, burns, and medical emergencies.
Prerequisites: None
National Lifeguard Service (NLS)
(40 hours)
The NLS program is designed to prepare lifeguards for the role of preventing emergency situations as professional facilitators in a safe and enjoyable aquatic environment. NLS is the national standard for all lifeguards. Must be recertified every 2 years to remain valid.
Prerequisites: 16 years old, Standard First Aid with CPR-C
AquaTender—Promoting Bone Health
A unique Aqua Fitness based program designed specifically for those individuals with bone and joint concerns, including osteoporosis, osteopaedia, arthritis, knee and hip replacements. All exercises are indicative of the limits of these conditions and participants will receive a well-balanced, safe, gentle work-out without compromising their health conditions.
Must be comfortable standing in waist-deep water. Weekly drop-in format.
Competitive Swimming
Swim Team is designed for participants at Swim Kids 4 and upwards to age 17. All swimmers must be comfortable in deep water and able to swim at least 4 lengths of the pool continuously. Trained coaches will take participants through the art of competitive swim strokes, flip turns, drills and endurance building. An excellent complement to regular lessons. Swim Team is offered at both our Winona and Palmerston locations. Participants will compete in a Swim Meet at the completion of each session
Water Polo
Water Polo is a fun water sport that is rapidly growing in popularity—great for kids looking for a new water activity or an excellent complement to regular lessons. This program is designed for participants at Swim Kids 4 and upwards to age 17. The water polo team will develop skills like passing, dribbling, shooting, eggbeater and participating in full games. Water Polo is offered at both our Winona and Palmerston locations.
Adult Swim Basics
Adult Swim Basics is a beginner swim class for adults that focuses on developing comfort in the water through basic flotation, gliding, movement and breathing skills for shallow water.
Adult Swim Intermediate
Adult Swim Intermediate is a class for intermediate swimmers who would like to work on stroke improvement. The class moves at the pace of the swimmers and focuses on further development of skills and increasing comfort in deep water.
Adult Swim Advanced (Masters Swimming)
Adult Swim Advanced (Masters Swimming) is designed to promote fitness, develop endurance and learn competitive stroke techniques. This program is designed for swimmers 18 years and older with advanced swim skills.