LIFEGUARD CLASSES

Lifeguard training can be strenuous. At the first class session, a swim test must be passed in order to ensure that participants will be able to safely participate in the rest of the class. Different Lifeguard certifications have slightly different swim tests.

Lifeguarding*:

• Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence
  • Jump in, submerge, resurface and swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed.
  • Maintain a position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs.
  • Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both.
• Timed Event: 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, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face at or near the surface.
  • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

*If you register for a lifeguard course and are unable to complete the swim test for Basic Lifeguard, you may attempt the swim test for Shallow Water Lifeguard and continue in the class.

Shallow Water Lifeguarding:

• Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence
  • Jump in, submerge, resurface and swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed.
  • Maintain a position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs.
  • Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both.
• Timed Event: Complete a timed event within 50 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 4 to 7 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
  • Return to the surface and walk or swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face at or near the surface.
  • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Waterfront Lifeguarding:

• Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence
  • Jump in, submerge, resurface and swim 350 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both. Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed.
  • Maintain a position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs.
  • Swim 200 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both.
• Timed Event: 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, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face at or near the surface.
  • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
• Underwater Swim
  • Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4 to 7 feet of water, resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards.

Lifeguard Swim Test Refund Policy

If a participant is unable to complete the skills required to continue in a lifeguard class, 80% of the fee can be refunded.

This is the only point during a lifeguard course where a participant is eligible for a refund. If the participant leaves the class at any point after the swim test has been completed, no refund will be issued. 

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguard course is to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency (EMS) personnel take over. Successful completion results in a 2 year certification in Lifeguard skills, CPR/AED for Lifeguards, and First Aid for Lifeguards.

You must be at least 15 years of age by course completion to participate in the Basic Lifeguard course. A swim test is administered at the Pre-Course session to ensure that participants have the physical capabilities necessary to safely participate in a lifeguard class. Participants will receive a link to the e-learning modules upon successful completion of the pre-course session. These modules must be completed before the remainder of the in-person sessions.

Pre-registration is required. Cancellations must be made a minimum of 1 week in advance of the first class session. Must attend and participate in all sessions to complete the course.

Class fee: $250. Incentives may be available for prospective employees of the Duluth Y.

• Dec 11, 2024 from 5-6:30 pm, Dec 20 from 5-8 pm, Dec 21-22 from 9 am - 7 pm (Location - Downtown) CLOSED
• Jan 15, 2025 from 5-6:30 pm, Jan 24 from 5-8 pm, Jan 25-26 from 9 am - 7 pm (Location - Downtown)
• Mar 26, 2025 from 5-6:30 pm, Mar 31 - Apr 4 from 4:30-9 pm (Location - Downtown)
• May 7, 2025 from 5-6:30 pm, May 16 from 5-8 pm, May 17-18 from 9 am - 7 pm (Location - Downtown)
• May 28, 2025 from 5-6:30 pm, Jun 6 from 5-8 pm, Jun 7-8 from 9 am - 7 pm (Location - Downtown)

WAITLIST - additional instructors could be added to accommodate additional participants. Please add yourself to the waitlist to be notified of opportunities that are added.

Persons seeking to renew their lifeguard certification at or near the end of their 2 year certification period are eligible to participate in a Recertification Class. This shortened version of the lifeguard class will review concepts and skills, and includes an opportunity to brush up on rescue and care-giving skills. Successful completion results in a 2 year certification in Lifeguard skills, CPR/AED for Lifeguards, and First Aid for Lifeguards.

You must have a current certification OR a certification that has expired no more than 30 days to be eligible to participate in a review session.

Pre-registration is required. Cancellations must be made a minimum of 2 business days in advance of the first class session. Must attend and participate in all sessions to complete the course.

Class fee: $130.

• Jan 18, 2025 from 9 am - 7 pm (Location - Downtown)
• Mar 22, 2025 from 9 am - 7 pm (Location - Downtown)
• Apr 12, 2025 from 9 am - 7 pm (Location - Downtown)
• May 10, 2025 from 9 am - 7 pm (Location - Downtown)
• Jun 1, 2025 from 9 am - 7 pm (Location - Downtown)

The Waterfront Skills Module is to teach lifeguards the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas found at public parks, resorts, summer camps and campgrounds. Successful completion results in a 2 year certification in Waterfront Lifeguard skills, only valid with a current Basic Lifeguard certification.

You must have a current certification in basic lifeguard skills to participate. This will NOT renew a basic level certification.

Pre-registration is required. Cancellations must be made a minimum of 2 business days in advance of the first class session. Must attend and participate in all sessions to complete the course.

Class fee: $75. Incentives may be available for prospective employees of the Duluth Y.

• May 31, 2025 from 12-6 pm (Location - Downtown)
• Jun 13, 2025 from 12-6 pm (Location - Downtown)

Full (Blended) LGI Course: The purpose of the Lifeguard Instructor (LGI r.24) course is to train instructors to teach the basic level American Red Cross Lifeguarding courses. Candidate must be at least 17 years of age on the last day of the course, have a current basic level certification in American Red Cross Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED, and successfully complete the online Introduction to the Lifeguarding Instructor Course. Link for the online introduction will be provided before the first class session. Opportunity to renew basic level certification.

Class fee: $325, instructor manual included

• Feb 21, 2025 from 1-5 pm, Feb 22 from 8 am - 6 pm, Feb 23 from 8 am - 12 pm with optional basic level recert from 1-5 pm (Location - Downtown)
• Apr 25, 2025 from 1-5 pm, Apr 26 from 8 am - 6 pm, Apr 27 from 8 am - 12 pm with optional basic level recert from 1-5 pm (Location - Downtown)
• Oct 24, 2025 from 1-5 pm, Oct 25 from 8 am - 6 pm, Oct 26 from 8 am - 12 pm with optional basic level recert from 1-5 pm (Location - Downtown)

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LGI/LGIT Recertification Course: The recertification course is for currently certified instructors and instructor trainers. Opportunity to renew your basic level certifications upon request. *r.24 update/recertification is a blended learning class. Information regarding the online content for the class will be sent out in advance of the in-person session.

Class fee: $130

• Mar 14, 2025 from 11 am - 8 pm (Location - Downtown)
• Apr 13, 2025 from 11 am - 8 pm (Location - Downtown)
• Aug 15, 2025 from 11 am - 8 pm (Location - Downtown)
• Sep 12, 2025 from 11 am - 8 pm (Location - Downtown)

Missed getting into an instructor review before your certification expired? Check the Red Cross Learning Center for details regarding your eligibility for a Crossover/Re-Entry class. Contact cpodtburg@duluthymca.org for requests. 

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LGI Re-Entry Course: Former Red Cross LGI whose certifications expired no more than 2 years before the beginning of a re-entry course are eligible to participate in the LGI Re-Entry course. Contact cpodtburg@duluthymca.org or call Cheryl at 218-722-4745 ext. 115 for more information. 

This list is by no means a complete list of the classes that can be offered:

• Red Cross CPR Instructor
• Red Cross Shallow Water Lifeguard
• Red Cross Aquatic Attraction Lifeguard
• Safety Training for Swim Coaches
• Basic Water Rescue
• Water Safety Today
• Wilderness First Aid - Red Cross or HSI

For more information contact cpodtburg@duluthymca.org to set up a class, or discuss your needs that are not listed here.