Aquatic Leadership Courses

Interested in Becoming a Lifeguard?

The City of Windsor offers a variety of leadership courses you’ll need to become a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor. 

If you’d like to apply to join our Aquatics team keep an eye on the Current Job Postings page for recruitment opportunities.  

Bronze Star (optional)

Build confidence, strength, and essential lifesaving skills with Bronze Star! Participants improve their swimming technique, develop self-rescue skills, and build personal fitness through fun and challenging workouts. Bronze Star is a great introduction to lifesaving sport and provides valuable preparation for success in Bronze Medallion.

Prerequisites: no age requirement (age 12 recommended), must be a proficient swimmer 

Bronze Medallion

Take your lifesaving skills to the next level with the Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Medallion! This course builds water rescue skills, fitness, judgment, and confidence while developing essential assessment and problem-solving abilities. This course includes Basic First Aid & CPR-B certifications.

Prerequisites: 13 years or completed Bronze Star  

Bronze Cross

This course builds advanced lifesaving skills while introducing active surveillance, teamwork, and communication in aquatic settings. This course includes Intermediate (formerly Standard) First Aid & CPR-C certifications.

Prerequisites: Bronze Medallion and Basic First Aid with CPR-B certifications

National Lifeguard Pool

Canada’s only nationally recognized lifeguard certification. This program develops essential lifeguarding skills, sound judgment, decision-making, and the ability to respond effectively to a variety of aquatic emergencies.

Prerequisites: 15 years and Bronze Cross and Intermediate (Standard) First Aid with CPR-C certifications

National Lifeguard Waterpark

National Lifeguard Water Park builds on the skills, principles and decision-making processes taught in the National Lifeguard Pool certification and introduces lifeguards to the water park environment.

Prerequisites: National Lifeguard Pool certification 

Swim and Lifesaving Instructor

Turn your passion for swimming into a rewarding teaching opportunity! The Swim & Lifesaving Instructor course develops effective teaching techniques, stroke correction skills, and proven methods to confidently teach and evaluate Swim for Life® and Canadian Swim Patrol program. As well as prepares individuals to organize, plan, teach, and evaluate lifesaving and resuscitation techniques within the Bronze level programs. 

Prerequisites: 15 years and completed Bronze Cross or National Lifeguard Pool 

High Five – Principles of Healthy Child Development

Build the skills to create positive, meaningful experiences for children ages 4–12 with Principles of Healthy Child Development training. Learn how children grow and develop, build positive relationships, support inclusion and friendships, and create fun, engaging activities using HIGH FIVE® Healthy Child Development principles.

Prerequisites: 15 years of age