Lifeguard Certification Course

Want to be a lifeguard at our pools this summer? We have opened a NEW lifeguard certification course! If you're at least 15 years old and can pass lifesaving and swimming drills, this is the program for you!

Registration Fee: $250 (fee covers course, all materials, and Red Cross certification)

Registration is limited to the first 20 applicants.

**If participant successfully completes the course, attains lifeguard certification, is hired as a lifeguard by Lafayette Parks and Recreation, AND completes a full season as a Lafayette Parks lifeguard, then the full registration fee will be refunded to the participant.

Registration opens Monday, January 12. Applications can be found online here and dropped at our Parks Administrative Office at 1915 Scott Street in Columbian Park. You can also apply directly online at our catalog under the teal LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION tab. 

il_570xN.793585244_6u0r
All classes for the certification course meet at the Lafayette Jefferson High School swimming pool. In addition to these mandatory meeting dates, participants will be required to complete a portion of the course online through the Red Cross website.

Class dates and times:
Thursday, March 12 | 6:00pm-8:00pm*
Course Session I - Friday, April 10 | 5:00pm-10:00pm
Course Session II - Saturday, April 11 | 9:00am-5:00pm
Course Session III - Sunday, April 12 | 9:00am-3:00pm

* Swimming pre-test 
Course Prerequisites
  • Must be at least 15 years of age
  • Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed. Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object. Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so the rescue is able to get a breath. Candidates should not swim the distance under water. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
  • Tread water for two minutes using only the legs.  Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
  • Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.