Aquatic Leadership

As a lifeguard, you will learn about the fundamentals of accident prevention and safety supervision. Essentially, your job is to create a safe yet enjoyable aquatic environment for individuals of all ages and abilities to explore and play; and be prepared to respond to any type of emergencies that come your way. As a swim instructor, you will learn and apply various teaching methods and strategies to meet the unique needs of the learners in a pool setting. This job challenges you to use critical thinking skills and to make a difference in your community by solving real-life problems. When you work for the Town as an Aquatic staff, you are not just representing your community, but you are an ambassador of community drowning prevention efforts. You are more of a hometown hero than you think.

• Develop leadership and communication skills, and opportunity to working in a team setting.
• Transferable skills to various career paths (for example - educator, nurses, firefighters, paramedics).
• Hands-on experience in dealing with children and vulnerable populations.
• On-site training and opportunities to take advanced aquatic leadership courses and certifications with employee discounts.

The Second Chance Program assists candidates who were unsuccessful in passing one of the key leadership courses designed to help them become a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor. 

Candidates will get a "second chance" to register for the course they were unsuccessful on with a 50% cost reduction. Conditions apply. 

Applicable courses include:

• Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid
• Bronze Cross
• National Lifeguard
• Swim, Lifesaving and Emergency First Aid Instructor 

Note: Applicable courses must have been taken with the Town of Aurora Aquatics division.
For more information, please email our Aquatics staff

Check out the pathway chart to learn how you can become a lifeguard or swim instructor.

A.C.T. is an aquatic program that includes Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid and National lifeguard certification, as well as a 3-month membership, to assist in getting adults back into the pool. Upon completion, candidates will be offered an interview to explore the option of working for the Town’s Aquatic Division. Priority of spots will be given to Aurora residents. For more information, please email Terri Edwards (Aquatic Coordinator).

Adult Aquatic Career Training (A.C.T.)

Registrations are now open for the Spring 2025 season.

Age: 18+ years

Location: S.A.R.C.

Registration Starts: Monday, August 19, 2024
All 2025 seasons - Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall. Same date for residents and non-residents.
Register Online
Simply click on the code # for the program you are interested in registering for. You will automatically be directed to our e-PLAY online registration system where you can register online for that particular program of your choice.
Register In-Person
Please visit the A.F.L.C. or S.A.R.C. to register and pay in-person.

BRONZE

BRONZE MEDALLION & EMERGENCY FIRST AID

Age: 13+ years

This course works to embody the 4 components of water rescue: judgment, fitness, knowledge, and skill. Candidates will be prepared for risky and challenging rescues. Fitness items include a 400-metre swim (16 lengths) within 12 minutes.

Prerequisite: 13 years or Bronze Star

BRONZE CROSS

Age: 13+ years

This course continues the training learned in Bronze Medallion. It emphasizes the ability to work as a team in aquatic emergencies, while also developing an understanding of the difference between lifesaving and lifeguarding.

Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion & Emergency First Aid with C.P.R. “B” (or higher).

FIRST AID

LIFESAVING SOCIETY’S STANDARD FIRST AID WITH CPR-C

Age: 14+ years

Comprehensive training in first aid & CPR-C. Topics include medical and legal considerations, spinal injury management, environmental injuries, bone and joint injuries, abdominal and chest injuries, burns and other medical emergencies. LSS Standard First Aid is recognized by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

LIFESAVING SOCIETY’S STANDARD FIRST AID WITH CPR-C RECERTIFICATION

Age: 14+ years

Holders of Standard First Aid certificates from other agencies may not recertify their certificate on a Lifesaving Society recertification course. Standard First Aid award holders may recertify their SFA once. For subsequent renewal the full SFA course must be repeated.

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR 

Age: 14+ years

The Lifesaving Society Assistant Instructor course prepares candidates to help certified instructors with swimming and lifesaving classes. Candidates are introduced to key principles of learning and teaching, and they master basic progressions. The roles and responsibilities of instructors and their assistants are emphasized. This certification is required to apply for the Town of Aurora’s Aquatic Assistant job position.

Prerequisite: 14+ years, Bronze Cross.

NATIONAL LIFEGUARD: POOL

NATIONAL LIFEGUARD: POOL

Age: 15+ years

This certification is designed to develop a candidate’s judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness which is required to be a lifeguard. These principles will be applied to assist in the decision process and assist in learning effective safety supervision.

Prerequisite: 15 years, Bronze Cross, and Standard First Aid with C.P.R. “C” recognized by W.S.I.B. 

NATIONAL LIFEGUARD: POOL RECERTIFICATION

Age: 15+ years

Certification is current for two years.

Prerequisite: National Lifeguard: Pool (does not have to be current). 

SWIM AND LIFESAVING INSTRUCTORS

SWIM, LIFESAVING AND EMERGENCY FIRST AID INSTRUCTORS

Age: 15+ years

This course encompasses 3 instructor certifications within the Lifesaving Society. The Swim Instructor course prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate basic swim strokes and related skills, while the Lifesaving and Emergency First Aid Instructor courses prepare them to organize, plan, teach and evaluate the lifesaving and first aid skills and resuscitation techniques in the Society’s lifesaving and first aid awards.

Prerequisite: 15+ years, Bronze Cross.

Registration Starts: Monday, August 19, 2024
All 2025 seasons - Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall. Same date for residents and non-residents.
Register Online
Simply click on the code # for the program you are interested in registering for. You will automatically be directed to our e-PLAY online registration system where you can register online for that particular program of your choice.
Register In-Person
Please visit the A.F.L.C. or S.A.R.C. to register and pay in-person.

BRONZE

BRONZE MEDALLION & EMERGENCY FIRST AID

Age: 13+ years

This course works to embody the 4 components of water rescue: judgment, fitness, knowledge, and skill. Candidates will be prepared for risky and challenging rescues. Fitness items include a 400-metre swim (16 lengths) within 12 minutes.

Prerequisite: 13 years or Bronze Star

BRONZE CROSS

Age: 13+ years

This course continues the training learned in Bronze Medallion. It emphasizes the ability to work as a team in aquatic emergencies, while also developing an understanding of the difference between lifesaving and lifeguarding.

Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion & Emergency First Aid with C.P.R. “B” (or higher).

FIRST AID

LIFESAVING SOCIETY’S STANDARD FIRST AID WITH CPR-C

Age: 10+ years

Comprehensive training in first aid & CPR-C. Topics include medical and legal considerations, spinal injury management, environmental injuries, bone and joint injuries, abdominal and chest injuries, burns and other medical emergencies. LSS Standard First Aid is recognized by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

LIFESAVING SOCIETY’S STANDARD FIRST AID WITH CPR-C RECERTIFICATION

Age: 10+ years

Holders of Standard First Aid certificates from other agencies may not recertify their certificate on a Lifesaving Society recertification course. Standard First Aid award holders may recertify their SFA once. For subsequent renewal the full SFA course must be repeated.

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR 

Age: 14+ years

The Lifesaving Society Assistant Instructor course prepares candidates to help certified instructors with swimming and lifesaving classes. Candidates are introduced to key principles of learning and teaching, and they master basic progressions. The roles and responsibilities of instructors and their assistants are emphasized. This certification is required to apply for the Town of Aurora’s Aquatic Assistant job position.

Prerequisite: 14+ years, Bronze Cross.

NATIONAL LIFEGUARD: POOL

NATIONAL LIFEGUARD: POOL

Age: 15+ years

This certification is designed to develop a candidate’s judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness which is required to be a lifeguard. These principles will be applied to assist in the decision process and assist in learning effective safety supervision.

Prerequisite: 15 years, Bronze Cross, and Standard First Aid with C.P.R. “C” recognized by W.S.I.B.

NATIONAL LIFEGUARD: POOL RECERTIFICATION

Age: 15+ years

Certification is current for two years.

Prerequisite: National Lifeguard: Pool (does not have to be current).

SWIM AND LIFESAVING INSTRUCTORS

SWIM, LIFESAVING AND EMERGENCY FIRST AID INSTRUCTORS

Age: 15+ years

This course encompasses 3 instructor certifications within the Lifesaving Society. The Swim Instructor course prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate basic swim strokes and related skills, while the Lifesaving and Emergency First Aid Instructor courses prepare them to organize, plan, teach and evaluate the lifesaving and first aid skills and resuscitation techniques in the Society’s lifesaving and first aid awards.

Prerequisite: 15+ years, Bronze Cross.

LIFESAVING INSTRUCTOR RECERTIFICATION

Age: 15+ years

This new in-person recertification course focuses on the competencies learned in the instructor, coach and examiner courses and provides a refresher to those competencies. Course content will be updated every two years. This course provides the 4 points required to complete the leadership recertification for instructors, coaches, examiners and examiner mentors. This course does not automatically recertify a candidate. Following successful course completion candidates must complete the recertification process to be recertified.

Prerequisite: Current or expired instructor (any), coach, examiner (any), or examiner mentor.

Registration Starts: Monday, August 19, 2024
All 2025 seasons - Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall. Same date for residents and non-residents.
Register Online
Simply click on the code # for the program you are interested in registering for. You will automatically be directed to our e-PLAY online registration system where you can register online for that particular program of your choice.
Register In-Person
Please visit the A.F.L.C. or S.A.R.C. to register and pay in-person.

BRONZE

BRONZE MEDALLION & EMERGENCY FIRST AID

Age: 13+ years

This course works to embody the 4 components of water rescue: judgment, fitness, knowledge, and skill. Candidates will be prepared for risky and challenging rescues. Fitness items include a 400-metre swim (16 lengths) within 12 minutes.

Prerequisite: 13 years or Bronze Star

BRONZE CROSS

Age: 13+ years

This course continues the training learned in Bronze Medallion. It emphasizes the ability to work as a team in aquatic emergencies, while also developing an understanding of the difference between lifesaving and lifeguarding.

Prerequisite: Bronze Medallion & Emergency First Aid with C.P.R. “B” (or higher).

FIRST AID

LIFESAVING SOCIETY’S STANDARD FIRST AID WITH CPR-C

Age: 10+ years

Comprehensive training in first aid & CPR-C. Topics include medical and legal considerations, spinal injury management, environmental injuries, bone and joint injuries, abdominal and chest injuries, burns and other medical emergencies. LSS Standard First Aid is recognized by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

LIFESAVING SOCIETY’S STANDARD FIRST AID WITH CPR-C RECERTIFICATION

Age: 10+ years

Holders of Standard First Aid certificates from other agencies may not recertify their certificate on a Lifesaving Society recertification course. Standard First Aid award holders may recertify their SFA once. For subsequent renewal the full SFA course must be repeated. Pre-requisite: Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid with CPR-C current within 3 years.

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR 

Age: 14+ years

The Lifesaving Society Assistant Instructor course prepares candidates to help certified instructors with swimming and lifesaving classes. Candidates are introduced to key principles of learning and teaching, and they master basic progressions. The roles and responsibilities of instructors and their assistants are emphasized. This certification is required to apply for the Town of Aurora’s Aquatic Assistant job position.

Prerequisite: 14+ years, Bronze Cross.

NATIONAL LIFEGUARD: POOL

NATIONAL LIFEGUARD: POOL

Age: 15+ years

This certification is designed to develop a candidate’s judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness which is required to be a lifeguard. These principles will be applied to assist in the decision process and assist in learning effective safety supervision.

Prerequisite: 15 years, Bronze Cross, and Standard First Aid with C.P.R. “C” recognized by W.S.I.B.

NATIONAL LIFEGUARD: POOL RECERTIFICATION

Age: 15+ years

Certification is current for two years.

Prerequisite: National Lifeguard: Pool (does not have to be current).

SWIM AND LIFESAVING INSTRUCTORS

SWIM, LIFESAVING AND EMERGENCY FIRST AID INSTRUCTORS

Age: 15+ years

This course encompasses 3 instructor certifications within the Lifesaving Society. The Swim Instructor course prepares the instructor to teach and evaluate basic swim strokes and related skills, while the Lifesaving and Emergency First Aid Instructor courses prepare them to organize, plan, teach and evaluate the lifesaving and first aid skills and resuscitation techniques in the Society’s lifesaving and first aid awards.

Prerequisite: 15+ years, Bronze Cross.

ADVANCED AQUATIC LEADERSHIP

LIFESAVING SOCIETY’S AQUATIC SUPERVISOR

Age: 16+ years

This Lifesaving Society course is for deck-level supervisory staff and provides the knowledge and skills to manage a safe aquatic environment.

Prerequisite: National Lifeguard or Swim Instructor or Lifesaving Instructor certification, and a letter of proof of a minimum of 100 hours experience as a lifeguard and/or instructor.

LIFESAVING SOCIETY’S EXAMINER

Age: 16+ years

This course is for experienced Instructors who will undergo specific training in examination methodology and standards prior to certification.  Candidates must have teaching experience and taught or co-taught at least one course in the stream in which they are seeking certification as an examiner.

Prerequisite: Experienced Instructor.

LIFESAVING SOCIETY’S COACH LEVEL 1 - POOL

Age: 16+ years

Lifesaving Sport Coach Level 1 provides training for Lifesaving Instructors who wish to coach Lifesaving Sport at the community level.  This course focuses on the fundamentals of coaching and Lifesaving Sport skills in the pool or in open water.

Prerequisite: Lifesaving Society’s Lifesaving Instructor

LIFESAVING SOCIETY’S STANDARD FIRST AND INSTRUCTOR

Age: 16+ years

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 C.P.R. ‘C’ Level.

Pre-requisites:  Minimum 16 years of age, Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid or a Standard First Aid from a training agency approved by the Ontario government.

• It’s a rewarding experience.
• It’s an opportunity to meet new friends and start networking.
• You receive hours for community involvement or a 25% discount towards future aquatic leadership courses.

• This workshop is mandatory for anyone looking to volunteer at either the A.F.L.C. or S.A.R.C in the pool. The workshop will prepare the volunteer with knowledge about the Town of Aurora, the Department’s program policies, roles, responsibilities and expectations. This includes an in-water session.
• Prerequisite: 14 years of age and Bronze Medallion.

Registration Starts: Monday, August 19, 2024

Additional dates coming soon.

For more information, please email our Aquatics Team

For more information on aquatic employment and our Job Fair, please visit our Recreation Jobs webpage. 

1. You must hold a current Lifesaving Society's National Lifeguard Pool certicicate; and a Ministry approved Standard First Aid (or higher) certificate.
2. Apply for the specific job posting by submitting your cover letter and resume.
3. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted after the application period for an interview. Note: No technical or in-water skill testing is required.
4. Successful applicants will be contacted with a conditional offer and will be required to attend mandatory trainings prior to the first day of work.

Earn high school credits with YRDSB’s Aquatic Leadership Program and the Town of Aurora.

The two-part program is conducted in a blended learning format, which includes pool instruction, in-class instruction and online learning. Upon completion, successful students may earn certifications to be used to work as a lifeguard or a swim instructor.

Reasons to take the Aquatic Leadership Program:

1. Get the training and experience needed to become a certified lifeguard or swim instructor in Ontario at significantly reduced costs.

2. This course counts as a credit towards graduating high school. Learn real-life skills while advancing towards graduation.

3. Build your leadership skills and become job ready with in-demand lifeguard certifications.

Note: This is a 2-step registration process. You must first register through the YRDSB website and then also register through the Town of Aurora website.

How can I register for the course?
Students must register for the course using both links provided below.

1. Register through YRDSB’s Continuing Education website.
2. Once successfully registered into the YRDSB Continuing Educating program, then register through the Town of Aurora’s e-PLAY website.

Am I allowed to take the course if I’m not a YRDSB student?
Yes, as this is a ministry approved credit and offered through Continuing Education, this course is available to YRDSB students, non-YRDSB students (i.e. YCDSB) and non-students.

Where and when does the course take place?
The course is being offered at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex (1400 Wellington Street East) on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

What is the cost of the course?
Part 1 (PAQ2O1) $225; Part 2 (PLF4M) $325.

What happens if I failed a certification component of the course?
Students may be unsuccessful in certain certification components of the course, but can still pass the course and earn the credit, provided the student meets all the criteria.

Can I get exempted from taking certain components of the course if I already have a few of the certifications listed?
No, all students must take the entire course to obtain the high school credit.