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YMCA of Three Rivers | We're Here for Good

UPCOMING COURSESSEND TO MY EMAIL

Offer ends March 31, 2022. Conditions apply*

Swim. Teach. Save Lives. 

Chaplin Family YMCA

519.623.9622

Stork Family YMCA

519.743.5201

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Offer conditions: A minimum 6-month commitment is necessary to receive this offer. This offer applies to all continuous bi-weekly memberships, all full-pay memberships (6-month commitment 1-year membership), and all financially assisted memberships. This offer does not apply to any short-term memberships (1-month, 3-month), or any agency memberships. 

UPCOMING COURSES

Stratford Y

519.271.0480

Guelph Y

519.824.5150

A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA

519.743.5201

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OUR LOCATIONS 

VISIT ANY OF OUR FIVE LOCATIONS 

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JOIN OUR TEAM

 Dive into 

Aquatic Leadership 

at the Y.

Responsibility, problem solving, leadership, teamwork — these are just some of the skills you'll gain on your path to becoming a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor. And along the way, you'll make memories and build friendships that will last a lifetime. 

From the first lifesaving course you take, you'll be doing your part to make our communities a safer place. 
Are you up for the challenge?

Aquatic Leadership Roadmap

Bronze Star

No Prerequisites
Recommended 10 years of age and/or complete Star 7

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Bronze Medallion

Minimum 13 years of age or Bronze Star certification.

swim lesson in action

Bronze Cross

Recommended 14 years of age, Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid certifications required. 

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Standard First Aid

No Prerequisite

National 
Lifeguard

swim lesson in action

Minimum 15 years of age with Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid.

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YMCA Swim 
Instructor

Minimum 15 years of age with Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid.

swim lesson in action

Upcoming Courses

Bronze Star

Prerequisites: No Prerequisites. Recommended 10 years of age and/or complete Star 6.

Bronze Star is 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. 

Learn more about the requirements for Bronze Star.

Members: $94 Non-Members: $110

Date

Location

Days and Times

Apply to work as a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor at the Y (National Lifeguard, Swim Instructor, and Standard First Certification Required)

September 23  to
September 24, 2023

Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge)

Saturday and Sunday
11:00am-5:00pm

September 18 to
November 13, 2023

Stork Family YMCA (Waterloo)

Monday 4:30pm-6:00pm

swim lesson in action

Bronze Medallion with Emergency First Aid and CPR-B

Prerequisites: Minimum 13 years of age or Bronze Star certification (need not be current).

Bronze Medallion challenges the candidate both mentally and physically. Judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness – the four components of water rescue – form the basis of Bronze Medallion training. Candidates acquire the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on, and around the water. Bronze Medallion is a prerequisite for assistant lifeguard training in Bronze Cross.
Fee includes manual and exam fee.

Learn more about the requirements for Bronze Medallion. 

Members: $221 Non-Members: $260

Date

Location

Days and Times

September 18 to 
November 13 2023

Stork Family YMCA (Waterloo)

Monday 4:30pm-7:30pm

October 16 to
December 11 2023

Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge)

Monday 4:30pm-7:30pm

September 21 to 
November 9 2023

Stratford Y

Thursday 4:30pm-7:30pm

swim lesson in action

Bronze Cross

Prerequisites: Recommended minimum 14 years of age, Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid or Standard First Aid required. 

Bronze Cross begins the transition from lifesaving to lifeguarding and prepares candidates for responsibilities as assistant lifeguards. Candidates strengthen and expand their lifesaving skills and begin to apply the principles and techniques of active surveillance in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication in preventing and responding to aquatic emergencies. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for advanced training in the Society’s National Lifeguard and leadership certification programs.

Learn more about the requirements for Bronze Cross.

Members: $166+HST Non-Members: $195+HST

Date

Location

Days and Times

November 10 to
November 12 2023

Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge)

Friday 4:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am-5:30pm
Sunday 8:00am-5:30pm

November 7 to
December 19 2023

Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge)

Tuesday 4:30pm-8:30pm

September 18 to
November 13 2023

Stork Family YMCA (Waterloo)

Monday 4:30pm-7:30pm

September 29 to
November 3 2023

Guelph YMCA-YWCA

Friday 4:00pm-8:30pm

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Standard First Aid with CPR-C and AED

Prerequisites: None (recommended minimum 14 years of age).

Standard First Aid 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 who require a more in-depth understanding of first aid including: legal implications of first aid treatment, spinal injuries, heat or cold injuries, bone and joint injuries, chest injuries, and medical emergencies. Includes CPR-C certification.

Learn more about the requirements for Standard First Aid.

Members: $150+hst Non-Members: $175+hst

Date

Location

Days and Times

October 13 to
November 10 2023

Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge)

Friday 4:30pm-8:00pm

October 7 to
October 8 2023

Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge)

Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm
Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm

Full Course

Recertification

Members: $92+hst Non-Members: $108+hst

Candidates who have completed a full Standard First Aid with CPR-C course through the Lifesaving Society within the last 3 years may take a recertification course. If your last full course was over 3 years ago you must take a full course. If your certification is through another organization (Red Cross, St Johns, etc.) you must recertify through the same organization as your original certification, or take a full course through Livesaving Society.

Prerequisites: Completed Standard First Aid with CPR-C full course through the Lifesaving Society within three years of the course end date.

Date

Location

Days and Times

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National Lifeguard - Pool

Prerequisites: Minimum 15 years of age, Bronze Cross, and Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid (need not be current) or Standard First Aid from one of these approved agencies. Fee includes manual and exam fee.

National Lifeguard certification is Canada's professional lifeguard standard. National Lifeguard training develops a sound understanding of lifeguarding principles, good judgment, and a mature and responsible attitude towards the lifeguard's role. National Lifeguard training emphasizes prevention and effective rescue response in emergencies including first aid treatment. Candidates develop teamwork, leadership and communication skills. Fitness requirements include a timed object recovery, 50m sprint challenge, 50m rescue drill and 400m endurance challenge.

Learn more about the requirements for National Lifeguard.

Members: $281+hst Non-Members: $330+hst

Date

Location

Days and Times

Full Course

Recertification

Prerequisites: National Lifeguard Pool Certification (need not be current)

The National Lifeguard recertification exam is your opportunity to demonstrate your skills and recertify your award. You are responsible for reviewing the required content and skills and preparing yourself for the exam. Your exam is based on the National Lifeguard Award curriculum. The required content for this curriculum can be found in your Alert text and the Canadian Lifesaving Manual. Candidates should bring Alert, a whistle, barrier devices (gloves and pocket mask) and proof of prerequisite (previous National Lifeguard).

Members: $92+hst Non-Members: $108+hst

Date

Location

Days and Times

Join Our Team

Do you have a passion for water safety that you want to share with your community? Join our team as a volunteer or staff! We have a variety of roles available across Stratford, Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, and Guelph!

When you join our team you'll gain more than just a job - Lifeguarding is an opportunity to develop leadership skills and build friendships that will last a lifetime. But, the benefits don't end there! Volunteers and staff receive a free YMCA membership and discounts on Aquatic Leadership Courses. 

Apply to be a VolunteerView Our Available Positions

If you're at least 14 years old and have completed Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid with CPR-C, you can apply to become a Volunteer Assistant Swim Instructor. This position is a great opportunity to gain experience in an Aquatic environment while you work towards your certification as a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor.

Are you at least 16 years old and are certified as a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor? Apply today to join our Aquatic Staff team!

Are you passionate about delivering high-quality aquatic leadership courses? If you're certified as an advanced instructor (Lifesaving Instructor, Standard First Aid Instructor, or National Lifeguard Instructor) apply today to join our Aquatic Staff Team!

View Our Available Positions

Volunteer

Lifeguard and Swim Instructor Positions

Advanced Instructor Positions

Bronze Star

Bronze

Bronze MedallionBronze Cross

Lifeguard

National Lifeguard Full CourseNational Lifeguard Recertification

First Aid

Standard First Aid Full CourseStandard First Aid Recertification

Instructor

YMCA Swim InstructorLifesaving Society Swim Instructor
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Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor

Minimum 15 years of age with Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid.

Apply to be a Volunteer Assistant Swim Instructor (Minimum 14 years old and Bronze Medallion Certified)

Follow this path to become a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor. Along the way, you'll find opportunities to develop leadership skills, build lifelong friendships, and share your skills with your community. 

Check out our upcoming courses across the YMCA of Three Rivers. We have courses happening in Stratford, Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, and Guelph. Register in person at any of our locations or online through the Member Portal.

Want to be the first to hear about upcoming courses? Use our quick and easy quiz to find out what your next course is and sign up to receive updates about Aquatic Leadership at the YMCA of Three Rivers. 

Register Now

Still not sure which course to take?

Take the Quiz to Find Out

Which Course Should I Take?

The path to becoming a Lifeguard can be confusing - we get it! Use this quick and easy quiz to find out what your next course is.

YMCA Swim Instructor

Prerequisites: Minimum 16 years of age, Current National Lifeguard or Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid, Swim Strokes at YMCA Intermediate Stroke Standard or equivalent, Swim Skills at the YMCA Standard or equivalent.

This course is the foundation for building strong leaders in YMCA aquatics.  Content covers YMCA Healthy Child Development, planning effective lessons using progressions and activities, and an understanding of the YMCA E.G.G.S. 
(E - Explanation/Demonstration, G - Group Practice, Group Feedback, S - Specific Practice and Feedback) teaching method.  Instructors will also review skills and strokes, different learning styles and temperaments, and how to react to emergency situations in a class setting.  Participants will also learn to deliver the Lifesaving Society Canadian Swim Patrol and Bronze Star.  Fee includes manual and certification.

Members: $192+hst Non-Members: $226+hst

Date

Location

Days and Times

No course scheduled, check back soon!

Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor

Prerequisites: Minimum 15 years of age by the end of the course; Bronze Cross certification (need not be current).

The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor course prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate the swimming strokes and related skills found in the Lifesaving Society Swim for Life program. Candidates acquire proven teaching methods, planning skills, and a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques.

Learn more about the requirements for Swim Instructor.

Members: $192+hst Non-Members: $226+hst

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Date

Location

Days and Times

swim lesson in action
Register for Bronze StarRegister for Bronze MedallionRegister for Bronze CrossRegister for SFA Full CourseRegister for SFA RecertificationRegister for NL Full CourseRegister for NL RecertificationRegister for LSS Swim InstructorRegister for YMCA Swim Instructor

Swim. Teach. 

Save Lives. 

Aquatic Leadership Roadmap

Members: $166+hst 
Non-Members: $195+hst

Members: $150+hst 
Non-Members: $175+hst

Members: $92+hst
Non-Members: $108+hst

Members: $281+hst 
Non-Members: $330+hst

Members: $92+hst 
Non-Members: $108+hst

Members: $192+hst 
Non-Members: $226+hst

Members: $192+hst 
Non-Members: $226+hst

October 20 to
October 22 2023

Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge)

Friday 4:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am-5:30pm
Sunday 8:00am-5:30pm

September 22 to 
December 1 2023

Guelph YMCA-YWCA

Friday 4:00pm-8:30pm

November 17 to
November 26 2023

Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge)

Friday 4:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am-5:30pm
Sunday 8:00am-5:30pm

Stork Family YMCA
(Waterloo)

September 17 2023

Sunday 1:00pm-8:00pm

June 9 to
June 11 2023

Stratford YMCA

Friday 5:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am-5:30pm
Sunday 8:00am-5:30pm

Refund and Course Cancellation Policy

Please register for all courses a minimum of seven days in advance of the start date. Courses that do not have sufficient registration one week before the start date are subject to cancellation, with full refund to participants. 

Participants who choose to cancel their registration in a course two weeks or more prior to a course will be issued a full refund. Participants who choose to cancel their registration two weeks or less before the start of the course, or who do not have the appropriate pre-requisites at the start of the course, will not be refunded.

October 15 2023

Stork Family YMCA (Waterloo)

Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm

Lifesaving Society Lifesaving and Emergency First Aid Instructor

Prerequisites: Minimum 15 years of age by the end of the course; Bronze Cross certification (need not be current).

The Lifesaving Instructor course prepares individuals to organize, plan, teach and evaluate lifesaving and first aid skills and resuscitation techniques in the Society’s lifesaving and first aid awards. Successful candidates receive two certifications: Lifesaving Instructor and Emergency First Aid Instructor.

The Lifesaving and Emergency First Aid Instructor course prepares instructors to teach the Lifesaving Society's:

Canadian Swim Patrol Program
Junior Lifeguard Club
Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion*, Bronze Cross*
Wading Pool Attendant
Lifesaving Fitness, Distinction**
Basic and Emergency First Aid, and CPR-A, CPR-B and CPR-C
Boat Rescue**, Patrol Rider**, and Safeguard**

Members: $174+hst Non-Members: $205+hst

swim lesson in action
Register for LSS Lifesaving Instructor

Members: $192+hst 
Non-Members: $226+hst

Date

Location

Days and Times

April 21 to
April 23 2023

Stratford YMCA

Friday 5:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am-5:30pm
Sunday 8:00am-5:30pm

Lifesaving Society First Aid Instructor

Prerequisites: Minimum 16 years of age by the end of the course; Standard First Aid from one of these approved agencies (need not be current).

The Lifesaving Society’s First Aid Instructor course is designed to provide candidates with the knowledge and resources required to organize, plan, and deliver Lifesaving Society First Aid awards up to and including Standard First Aid and CPR -A, -B, -C. Current First Aid Instructors may teach:

-Basic and Emergency First Aid
-CPR –A, -B, and –C
-Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
-Standard First Aid*
-Airway Management**, CPR-HCP**, Anaphylaxis Rescuer**

*additional qualifications (Examiners) required to certify candidates in these courses
**additional qualifications required to teach or certify candidates in these courses

Members: $179+hst Non-Members: $210+hst

swim lesson in action
Register for LSS First Aid Instructor

Members: $192+hst 
Non-Members: $226+hst

Date

Location

Days and Times

June 2 to
June 4 2023

Stratford YMCA

Friday 5:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am-5:30pm
Sunday 8:00am-5:30pm

Lifesaving Society Lifesaving InstructorLifesaving Society First Aid Instructor

November 10 to
December 15 2023

Guelph YMCA-YWCA

Friday 4:00pm-8:30pm

No course scheduled, check back soon!

January 3 2024

Wednesday 10:00am-6:00pm

Chaplin Family YMCA
(Cambridge)

December 30 2023

Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm

Guelph YMCA-YWCA

September 16 to
September 17 2023

Stork Family YMCA (Waterloo)

Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm
Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm

September 20  to
December 20, 2023

Stratford Y

Wednesday 6:15pm-7:00pm

September 19 to 
October 31 2023

Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge)

Tuesday 4:30pm-8:30pm

November 3 to
November 5 2023

A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (Kitchener)

Friday 4:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am-5:30pm
Sunday 8:00am-5:30pm

November 3  to
November 24, 2023

Guelph YMCA-YWCA

Friday 4:30pm-7:00pm 

November 10 to
December 8 2023

Guelph YMCA-YWCA

Friday 4:30pm-8:15pm

November 16 to
December 21 2023

Stratford Y

Thursday 4:30pm-8:00pm

November 4 to
November 5 2023

Guelph YMCA-YWCA

Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm
Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm

November 18 to
November 19 2023

A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA
(Kitchener)

Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm
Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm

November 17 to
December 15 2023

Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge)

Friday 4:30pm-8:00pm

November 19 2023

A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (Kitchener)

Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm

December 16 2023

Guelph YMCA-YWCA

Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm

Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm

Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge)

December 17 2023

November 10 to
November 19 2023

A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (Kitchener)

Friday 5:00pm-10:00pm
Saturday 8:00am-5:00pm
Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm

January 2 to
January 6 2024

Stork Family YMCA (Waterloo)

Tuesday to Friday 12:00pm-8:30pm
Saturday 8:00am-4:30pm

No course scheduled, check back soon!

No course scheduled, check back soon!

September 22 to
September 23 2023

Guelph YMCA-YWCA

Friday 4:30pm-10:00pm
Saturday 9:00am-7:30pm