Lifeguard Training

Lifeguard Certification Training

The City of Winston-Salem will offer lifeguard certification training for those who wish to work as lifeguards for the City of Winston-Salem

To receive information of upcoming classes and summer employment please complete the Lifeguard Class and Employment Interest Form Summer 2023

Candidates for the lifeguard training must complete swimming competency to join the program- several opportunities will be offered for candidates to test their swimming skills - feedback and opportunities for improvement will be provided. Candidates may take the swim test more than once. Successful candidates will be given the opportunity to enroll in the SPLASH program 

All Lifeguard Candidates must complete a swim test in order to register for an upcoming class

Swim Test Dates 

  1. Monday February 27, 6:00pm
  2. Monday March 13, 6:00 pm
  3. Monday March 20, 6:00pm
  4. Monday March 27, 6:00pm
  5. Monday April 17, 6:00pm
  6. Monday April 24, 6:00pm
  7. Monday May 8, 6:00pm 
  8. Monday May 22, 6:00pm

Lifeguards who work for the city throughout the summer are eligible for free certification. 

Candidates must be able to meet these minimum requirements to qualify to take the course:   

  • Swim 300 yards, continuously demonstrating breath control and endurance. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both, but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
  • Tread water for 2 minutes, using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
  • Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds
  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swim goggles are not allowed. Surface dive, feet-first or headfirst, 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 with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Candidates will be asked to complete online training before the training course. Please allow approximately 7 hours to complete online training, and plan on having the first four lessons of online training completed two days before the start of the classroom instruction. A direct link to the online training will be provided after registration has been processed. 

2023 Lifeguard Certification In- Person Class Schedule 

  1. April 3 & 4, 9:00am- 7:00pm (WSFCS spring break)
  2. April 5 & 6, 9:00am – 7:00pm (WSFCS spring break)
  3. April 28, 5:30pm-9:30; April 29 9:00-6:00pm; April 30 11:00am- 6:00pm
  4. May 30- June 2, 5:30pm-9:30 & June 3 9:00am-1:00pm  

Cost: NO COST for SPLASH participants; $250 for all others

For more information contact Heather Candelora, 336-734-1212; heatherca@cityofws.org.