The last day of public drop-in programming before our current pool facilities close permanently is Friday, September 25. Our new aquatic facility will open in late October, with swim lessons available in January 2027. Be some of the first people to access our new pool by subscribing to our newsletter. A separate pool reception desk will open in the new aquatic facility, with our current reception desk continuing to be used for arena drop-in users.
Open the door to employment with Lifesaving Society advanced aquatic certification offered at Strathcona Gardens. Earn high school credit and develop leadership skills that have a profound impact on your future success! We offer a variety of leadership courses including training to become a lifeguard, swim instructor, or fitness instructor.
JLC provides an action-packed challenge for kids who love the water and want a taste of what it’s like to be a lifeguard. This program stresses fun and aquatic skill development based on personal-best achievement while we work through the Canadian Swim Patrols levels: Rookie, Ranger, and Star. Building on skills they have from swimming lessons, JLC members 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.
Prerequisites: Ages 8-13. Participants should be comfortable in deep water and be able to swim 25 meters.
Bronze Medallion challenges the candidate both mentally and physically. Judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness: the four components of water rescue, form the basis of Bronze Medallion training. Candidates acquire the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on and around the water.
Prerequisites: Ages 13+ (by last day of course) OR hold a Bronze Star award (need not be current). Knowledge and proficiency in swimming is recommended.
Bronze Cross begins the transition from lifesaving to lifeguarding and prepares candidates for responsibilities as Assistant Lifeguards. Candidates strengthen and expand their lifesaving skills and begin to apply the principles and techniques of active surveillance in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication in preventing and responding to aquatic emergencies.
Prerequisites: Ages 13+. Must hold A Bronze Medallion (need not be current). Please bring your Canadian Lifesaving manual to the course.
The National Lifeguard Pool certification is designed to develop the fundamental values, judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness required by lifeguards. The National Lifeguard course emphasizes the lifeguarding skills, principles and practices, and the decision-making processes which will assist the lifeguard to provide effective safety supervision in swimming pool environments.
Prerequisites: Must be 15 years of age, hold a Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid with CPR-C/AED (neither need to be current.
The National Lifeguard Waterfront certification is designed to develop the fundamental values, judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness required by waterfront lifeguards. The NL Waterfront course emphasizes the lifeguarding skills, principles and practices, and the decision-making processes which will assist the lifeguard in providing effective safety supervision in waterfront environments..
Prerequisites: Ages 15+. Must hold A Bronze Medallion and NL Certification (need not be current).
The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor course trains candidates to the Competency Level 1 knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to teach the Society’s Swim for Life® and Canadian Swim Patrol programs.
Prerequisites: Ages 15+. Bronze Cross (need not be current) certification is required.
Lifesaving Instructors are trained using a competency-based model that walks them through teaching and evaluation philosophy and the techniques/approaches required to teach water rescue, first aid and related aquatic skills. Instructors also learn about long-term and short-term planning, class management, safety supervision, and evaluation principles.
Lifesaving Instructor/Examiners are trained to teach Junior Lifeguard Club, Swim to Survive, Lifesaving for Lay Rescuers, Lifesaving for Backyard Pool Owners, Safeguard, Canadian Swim Patrol (Rookie, Ranger, Star), Bronze Star, Medallion, and Cross. Candidates are trained in and must demonstrate skills, knowledge, and attitudes at Competency Level 2 to include all aspects of learning as well as various approaches required to teach water rescue.
Lifesaving Instructor/Examiners evaluate and certify candidates in all items in Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross. Lifesaving Instructor/Examiner is also the pre-requisite for Sport Coach Level 1. The LSI course in the BC & Yukon Branch includes the Examiner Clinic.
Prerequisites: Ages 15+. Bronze Cross (need not be current) certification is required.
Please view our course description on the First-Aid & Community Programs page.
