Open the door to employment opportunities
Open the door to employment and volunteer possibilities through our YMCA Aquatic Certifications programs. Certification as a lifeguard or swimming instructor can lead to employment opportunities at the YMCA and elsewhere. You'll also develop leadership skills that can have a profound impact on your future success.
Certification Programs
Bronze Medallion
In Bronze Medallion we emphasize the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water-rescue education: judgement, knowledge, skill, and fitness.
Rescuers will learn tows and carries as well as defence methods and releases, preparing themselves for challenging rescues involving conscious and unconscious victims of various types.
Bronze Medallion is a Lifesaving Society (LSS) certification offered through the YMCA.
Prerequisite: Must be 13 years or older, or have completed Bronze Star
Upcoming Courses
Bronze Medallion and EFA Certificate Courses
Flamborough Family YMCA
Date: April 5 to April 13
Format: 2 Weekends
Time: Sat: 11:00am to 5:00pm | Sun: 11:00am to 4:00pm
Fee: $215 for YMCA Members | $230 for non-members
Prerequisite: 13 years old OR 12 years old and have already completed Bronze Star Certification
Les Chater Family YMCA
Date: April 6 to May 11
Format: 5 Weeks - Sundays (No class April 20)
Time: 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Fee: $215 for YMCA Members | $230 for non-members
Prerequisite: 13 years old OR 12 years old and have already completed Bronze Star Certification
Date: May 25 to June 22
Format: 5 Weeks - Sundays
Time: 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Fee: $215 for YMCA Members | $230 for non-members
Prerequisite: 13 years old OR 12 years old and have already completed Bronze Star Certification
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Date: April 24 to June 5
Format: 7 Weeks - Thursdays
Time: 4:30pm to 7:30pm
Fee: $215 for YMCA Members | $230 for non-members
Prerequisite: 13 years old OR 12 years old and have already completed Bronze Star Certification
Bronze Cross
We offer Bronze Cross classes for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training, including an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities.
In this class we focus on the principles of teamwork, procedures, and the use of special equipment.
Bronze Cross is a Lifesaving Society (LSS) certification offered through the YMCA. It is a prerequisite for all LS advanced training programs, including National Lifeguard and Instructor Certifications (YMCA, Lifesaving Society and Red Cross).
Prerequisite: Must have completed Bronze Medallion and Emergency and CPR B certifications.
Upcoming Courses
Bronze Cross Certificate Courses
Les Chater Family YMCA
Date: April 6 to May 11
Format: 5 Weeks - Sundays
Time: 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Fee: $160 for YMCA Members | $175 for non-members
Prerequisite: Must have already completed both Bronze Medallion AND Emergency First Aid certifications (need not be current)
Date: May 25 to June 22
Format: 5 weeks - Sunday
Time: 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Fee: $160 for YMCA Members | $175 for non-members
Prerequisite: Must have already completed both Bronze Medallion AND Emergency First Aid certifications (need not be current)
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Date: April 25 to June 6
Format: 7 Weeks - Fridays
Time: 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Fee: $160 for YMCA Members | $175 for non-members
Prerequisite: Must have already completed both Bronze Medallion AND Emergency First Aid certifications (need not be current)
Flamborough Family YMCA
Date: April 26 to May 4
Format: 2 Weekend
Time: Sat: 11:00am to 5:00pm | Sun: 11:00am to 4:00pm
Fee: $160 for YMCA Members | $175 for non-members
Prerequisite: Must have already completed both Bronze Medallion AND Emergency First Aid certifications (need not be current)
Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA
Date: June 14-15 & 21-22
Format: 2 Weekend
Time: Sat: 11:00am to 5:00pm | Sun: 11:00am to 4:00pm
Fee: $160 for YMCA Members | $175 for non-members
Prerequisite: Must have already completed both Bronze Medallion AND Emergency First Aid certifications (need not be current)
National Lifeguard (NL)
Learn how to fulfill your role as a professional facilitator of safe, enjoyable aquatics for everyone.
The National Lifeguard (NL) course emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and communication in the prevention of accidents and in first aid treatment of medical emergencies.
National Lifeguard is a Lifesaving Society (LSS) certification offered through the YMCA. National Lifeguard is the only nationally recognized lifeguard certification in Canada.
Prerequisite: Must be 15 years or older and have completed Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid and CPR C certifications.
Upcoming Courses
National Lifeguard Courses
Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA
Date: April 26 to May 25
Format: 5 Weeks - Saturdays
Time: 8:00am to 4:30pm
Fee: $295 for YMCA Members | $310 for non-members
Prerequisite: 15 years of age; Must already hold both Bronze Cross AND Standard First Aid w/CPR C Certifications
Les Chater Family YMCA
Date: May 26 to June 22
Format: 5 Weeks - Sundays
Time: 9:30am to 6:00pm
Fee: $295 for YMCA Members | $310 for non-members
Prerequisite: 15 years of age; Must already hold both Bronze Cross AND Standard First Aid w/CPR C Certifications
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Date: June 6/7/8 & 13/14/15
Format: 2 Weekend
Time: Fri. 5:00pm to 9:00pm | Sat. & Sun.: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Fee: $295 for YMCA Members | $310 for non-members
Prerequisite: 15 years of age; Must already hold both Bronze Cross AND Standard First Aid w/CPR C Certifications
National Lifeguard Recertification Courses
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Date: Sunday, April 6th
Format: 5 Hours
Time: 4:00pm to 9:00pm
Fee: $80 for YMCA Members | $95 for non-members
Prerequisite: Must already hold National Lifeguard certification (need not be current)
Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA
Date: Sunday, May 4th
Format: 5 Hours
Time: 11:00am to 4:00pm
Fee: $80 for YMCA Members | $95 for non-members
Prerequisite: Must already hold National Lifeguard certification (need not be current)
Date: Saturday June 28
Format: 5 Hours
Time: 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Fee: $80 for YMCA Members | $95 for non-members
Prerequisite: Must already hold National Lifeguard certification (need not be current)
Flamborough Family YMCA
Date: Sunday, June 8th
Format: 5 Hours
Time: 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Fee: $80 for YMCA Members | $95 for non-members
Prerequisite: Must already hold National Lifeguard certification (need not be current)
Standard First Aid + CPR C
Standard First Aid incorporates all the emergency First Aid and is designed for those who require a more in-depth understanding including: legal implications of first aid treatment, spinal injuries, heat or cold injuries, bone, joint or chest injuries, and medical emergencies. Includes CPR C certification.
Standard First Aid + CPR C is a Lifesaving Society (LSS) certification offered through the YMCA.
Upcoming Courses
Standard First Aid Courses
Les Chater Family YMCA
Date: Sat. April 12th & Sun. April 13th
Format: 2 Days (Sat & Sun)
Time: 9:00am to 5:30pm
Fee: $130 for YMCA Members | $145 for non-members
Prerequisite: None; recommended minimum age is 12
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Date: Sat. May 31st & Sun. June 1st
Format: 2 Days (Sat & Sun)
Time: 9:00am to 5:30pm
Fee: $130 for YMCA Members | $145 for non-members
Prerequisite: None; recommended minimum age is 12
Standard First Aid Recertification Courses
Les Chater Family YMCA
Date: Sat. May 3rd
Format: 1 Day
Time: 9:00am to 5:30pm
Fee: $65 for YMCA Members | $80 for non-members
Prerequisite: Must hold CURRENT Lifesaving Society SFA & CPR C dated within 3 yrs; last course musts have been full course
LSS Swim & Lifesaving Instructor (Combined)
Take the next step towards employment in Aquatics! Candidates will acquire proven teaching methods, planning skills, and a variety of stroke development drills and correction techniques This course offers a dual certification: Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor certification – prepares candidates to teach and evaluate swimming strokes and related skills found in the Lifesaving Society’s Swim for Life program.
LSS Swim & Lifesaving Instructor (Combined) is a Lifesaving Society (LSS) certification offered through the YMCA.
Upcoming Courses
LSS Swim & Lifesaving Instructor (Combined)
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Date: April 25-27 & May 2-4
Format: 2 Weekends
Time: Fri.: 5:00pm to 9:00pm | Sat. & Sun.: 9:00am to 5:30pm
Fee: $380 for YMCA Members | $395 for non-members
Prerequisite: 15 years of age; Must already hold both Bronze Cross AND Standard First Aid w/CPR C Certifications
LSS Assistant Instructor
Through classroom learning and in-water practice, the Lifesaving Society Assistant Instructor course prepares candidates to help instructors with swimming and lifesaving classes. Candidates are introduced to key principles of learning and teaching while they master basic progressions. The roles and responsibilities of instructors and their assistants are emphasized.
LSS Examiner Course
The Examiner course is the first step in the three-step process to become certified as an Examiner for the Lifesaving Society. The Examiner course prepares candidates to apprentice successfully as an Examiner on the exam of their choice, and it builds on the evaluation experience that candidates have attained in instructor-evaluated awards and content.
Upcoming Courses
LSS Examiner Course
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Date: Sat. April 12th
Format: 6 hrs.
Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Fee: $65 for YMCA Members | $80 for non-members
Prerequisite: LSS Lifesaving Instructor OR SFA Instructor OR National Lifeguard Instructor
LSS Instructor Recertification Course
The Lifesaving Society Instructor Recertification course focuses on the competencies learned in the Instructor course and provides a refresher to those competencies. This course provides the 4 points required to complete the leadership recertification. NOTE: This course does not automatically recertify an LSS Instructor; upon completion, candidates must complete the LSS online recertification process to be recertified.
Upcoming Courses
Lifesaving Society Instructor Recertification Course
Les Chater Family YMCA
Date: Saturday, June 7th
Format: 4 hrs.
Time: 2:30pm to 6:30pm
Fee: $40 for YMCA Members | $55 for non-members
Prerequisite: Current or expired Lifesaving Society Instructor (any), Examiner (any) or Examiner Mentor
National Lifeguard Instructor Course
The National Lifeguard Instructor course provides candidates with an understanding of the principles and practices on which the National Lifeguard program is based and explores teaching approaches and techniques appropriate for National Lifeguard candidates. After successful participation in the National Lifeguard Instructor course, National Lifeguard Instructors are certified to teach the National Lifeguard option(s) they hold.
Upcoming Courses
National Lifeguard Instructor Course
Les Chater Family YMCA
Date: April 5 & 6
Format: 16hrs / 2days
Time: 9:00am to 5:30pm
Fee: $150 for YMCA Members | $165 for non-members
Prerequisite: National Lifeguard (any option); Lifesaving Instructor; Recommended - Bronze Examiner, lifeguarding experience
