Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross courses teach lifesaving and teamwork skills to prepare you for the National Lifeguard course. Pre-requisites for these courses are:

• Bronze Star: Age 10 or completion of Star Patrol (Swimmer 9 swimming lessons).
• Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid: Age 13 or completion of Bronze Star.
• Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid: completion of Bronze Medallion and Emergency First Aid.

Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross courses require textbooks and examinations for course completion. The books and exams are purchased separately and have have their own fees in addition to the course cost.

Our standard first aid program provides comprehensive training, covering all aspects of first aid, including CPR-C. Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) recognizes this program.

Standard First Aid certification is a prerequisite for anyone taking NL (National Lifeguard).

Canada's only nationally recognized lifeguard certification program. National Lifeguard is a legal certificate for lifeguarding throughout the country and is recognized by the province of Ontario for lifeguarding public swimming pools. 

• Prerequisites: successful completion of Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid, age 15 by the examination date

The NLS course requires a textbook which can be purchased at the front desk.

NLS Recertification: offered each session, this one day recert will refresh your skills. Pre-requisites include the NLS course and Standard First Aid certificate.

Peterborough Recreation and Parks Services teaches Swim for Life programming and offers Lifesaving Society's instructor courses.

• Lifesaving Society Assistant Instructor: no pre-requisites required.
• Lifesaving Society Swim and Lifesaving Instructor: age 15 by the end of the course and completion of Bronze Medallion (National Lifeguard Course is strongly recommended prior to taking this course)

The Junior Lifeguard Club keeps youth active and interested in aquatics. It is perfect for those who thrive in an energetic learning environment. Members will work to develop and improve swimming and other aquatic skills with emphasis on swim and lifesaving knowledge, leadership and teamwork, community education, competition and personal fitness. This program provides real lifeguarding experience through shadowing lifeguards who work for Recreation and Parks Services.

• Prerequisites: can complete the Swim to Survive^® standard, i.e., roll into deep water, tread water for 1 minute and swim at least 50 metres.

Peterborough Recreation and Parks Services offers Advanced Leadership courses for Lifeguards looking to enhance their certifications and skills.

• Aquatic Supervisor Training: pre-requisites include National Lifeguard or Swim Instructor certifications and proof of 100+ hours of lifeguarding or instructing
• Examiners: must have teaching experience (taught or co-taught at least one course in the steam(s) in which you are seeking certification).

The wet interview is the first step of our hiring process. Come prepared to demonstrate a wide variety of skills you learned in your lifeguarding and leadership courses.

During the wet interview, we will evaluate your CPR, spinal injury management, instructional skills and other National Lifeguard skills.

Things to know about the wet interview:

• Wet interviews typically last one hour.
• It’s an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, judgement and emergency response skills.
• Practicing your physical skills before the interview will assist you in being successful.

What to bring to the interview:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Whistle
• Current qualifications

Once you successfully pass the wet interview, you will be invited to a dry interview. This is your opportunity to share more about yourself and the strengths you can bring to our team.

Things to know about the dry interview:

• Dry interviews typically last 20 to 30 minutes.
• Preparing for interview questions ahead of time will assist you on the day of the interview. Come prepared to speak about your experience, accomplishments, and examples of when you demonstrated job-related skills.