Interested in becoming a lifeguard?
Sign up if you are interested in becoming a lifeguard or want to strengthen your skills before becoming a lifeguard. Once you sign up, we’ll follow up with you! On this webpage are more details on what is required and the various opportunities at local pools. We’ll be continually updating this page with more information as we learn about lifeguard training classes.
Bring a Friend and Earn $50
If you and a friend become lifeguards through our program, you each will earn $50. Just let us know during registration who is your friend.
Student Lifeguard Training
Thank you for your interest in becoming a lifeguard. As a lifeguard you will learn essential life skills, make our communities safer around water, and build a strong career platform. When you are a lifeguard, you are part of a team and you might just save someone’s life.
Our region is in short supply of lifeguards limiting programming like learning to swim and providing low-risk swimming locations. We have come together in partnership with UW’s Harborview Injury Prevention Research Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Public Health – Seattle & King County, and Amazon to do our part to increase the number of lifeguards and provide high school students in South Seattle and South King County the opportunity to not only learn lifesaving skills, but also seek employment as a lifeguard at our local pools and beaches.
SPLASHForward supports high school students with lifeguard training. We cover the cost of your certification, support you with skill development, offer incentives, and provide you with resources to find a job.
Lifeguard Training Program Workshops
We invite you to learn more about our high school lifeguard training program and learn from local facility Aquatics Directors, Lifeguard Instructors and student lifeguards. In a panel style discussion we share what it means to be a lifeguard, what is involved in getting certified, expectations, opportunities, and unique aspects of local facilities. Current student lifeguards share their experiences and what they love about being a lifeguard.
Register today for one of our virtual informational workshops to learn more about becoming a lifeguard!
2024 Workshop Dates
Tuesday, March 26th (Virtual) – 5:30pm
Wednesday, April 3rd (Virtual) – 5:30pm
2023 Spring Workshops
If you are unable to attend our 2024 workshops, watch one of our Spring 2023 workshops or our 2023 National Injury Prevention Day Student Lifeguard Workshop (below). We find that watching a recording helps answer many questions.
National Injury Prevention Day
Student Lifeguard Workshop
Watch our workshop recording
As part of National Injury Prevention Day, SPLASHForward, UW’s Harborview Injury Prevention Research Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and Public Health – Seattle & King County held a virtual Student Lifeguard Workshop to introduce lifeguarding to students in King County. A panel of aquatic managers and lifeguard instructors from King County aquatic facilities and student lifeguards share what it means to be a lifeguard.
We cover the cost of your certification and provide you with resources to find a job. If you are unsure of your swim skills, need to strengthen them, or learn how to swim we will coordinate with our local facilities so you can practice or acquire the skills. You can specify this when you sign up.
Watch the workshop recording and sign up to become a lifeguard! We want to support you!
Requirements
- Must be a current high school student age 15 and greater prior to July 31st, 2023 to qualify for FREE lifeguard certification.
- Students must turn 15 before the last day of their training session.
- Online material requires at-home computer and internet access. It must be completed prior to the start of the in-person portion.
- NOTE: Once you are registered in a training class, you will receive a link via email to access the online portion of the course.
- Must pass a prerequisite skills evaluation on the first day of class which includes:
- Swimming 300 meters continuously (not timed) using crawl or breaststroke. Goggles may be worn.
- Treading water for two minutes without hands
- Swimming from the edge of the pool 20 meters to retrieving a ten-pound brick from the bottom of the pool (depth of twelve feet) and swimming 20 meters on your back back holding the brick using legs only within one minute and forty seconds
If the swimming portion is a barrier, please let us know when you register. We will coordinate support for students that want to strengthen their swimming skills, learn to swim or don’t currently meet all of the skill requirements.
Course Description
While the course may vary slightly due to each facility, the course will be an American Red Cross Lifeguard course taught in a blended learning format. Course requires an at-home computer and internet access. You will be emailed a link to gain access to the online portion prior to the class and it will take about 6-8 hours to complete.
To obtain certification, students must:
- Attend the ENTIRE course
- Complete all online learning modules prior to the water portion
- Demonstrate competency in all required skills and scenarios
- Pass the final written exams with a minimum grade of 80 percent.
Upon successful completion, the student will receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED which will be valid for two years
What to Bring to the Course
Whether your training is held across two or three days, what to bring is the same. Participants should plan to spend long periods of time in the water and in the classroom.
The following items are *required or recommended:
- *State-issued photo ID (school ID is acceptable)
- *Proof of completion of online content
- *Swimsuit
- *Towel
- *Goggles
- Water bottle
- Food or meal plans
- Warm, dry change of clothes for classroom
- Contact case/solution if worn – participants are required to open eyes underwater
- Deck footwear
Course Dates & Locations
We will be supporting training classes at various aquatic facilities and will post each class option here.
Note that pre-requisite swims will be held the first hour on the first day of the class. If you are not sure of your swim skills, tell us in the registration so we can arrange time for you to practice or acquire the necessary skills.
Aquatic Facilities & High Schools Map
Use this map to locate aquatic facilities that may be near your school or close to your home. We support students across King County.
If you don’t find an aquatic facility or your high school, drop us a note at info@splashforward.org.
NOTE: We do our best to keep each facility’s lifeguard training class offerings updated. If you know there is a class at a facility that isn’t listed, let us know and we’ll get your registered in it! info@splashforward.org.
Seattle Public Pools
Helene Madison Pool
Helene Madison Pool is located next to Ingraham High School in North Seattle and near Lakeside School.
Please check back for upcoming lifeguard training courses.
Helene Madison Pool
- 13401 Meridian Ave N . Seattle , WA 98133
Lifeguard Training Pre-Test - TBD
- Typically Sunday 3pm - 4pm
Lifeguard Training Class - TBD
- Dates and times TBD
Queen Anne Pool
Queen Anne Pool is in off Queen Anne Ave and across from McClure Middle School.
Check back for upcoming lifeguard training classes!
Queen Anne Pool
- 1920 1st Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119
Lifeguard Training Class - TBD
- Typically - Friday 6:30pm - 10:30pm, Saturday 11am - 7:30pm, Sunday 10am - 6:30pm
Ballard Pool
Ballard Pool is in Ballard on the campus of Ballard High School .
Ballard Pool
- 1471 NW 67th St, Seattle, WA 98117
Lifeguard Training PreTest - Saturday, Oct 19th (Required for Lifeguard Training Class)
- Saturday Oct 19th - 11:30am - 12:30pm
Lifeguard Training Class - Saturday, Oct 19th, Saturday Oct 26th, and Saturday November 2nd
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Saturday Oct 19th - 12:30pm - 7:30pm
Saturday Oct 26th - 11:30am - 8:00pm
Saturday Nov 2nd - 11:30am - 8:00pm
Evans Pool
Evans Pool (Green Lake) is located in Seattle next to Green Lake.
Check back for upcoming lifeguard training classes.
Lifeguard Training Class - TBD
- Dates and times TBD
Meadowbrook Pool
The Meadowbrook Pool is located in Mathews Beach behind Nathan Hale High School.
Lifeguard Training Class - October 22nd Pre-Test, October 27th - November 10th (Sundays) Class (all days required)
- Tuesday, October 22nd (8pm – 9pm) - Prerequisites
- October 27th - November 10th Sundays ( 9:00am - 5:30am)
Mount Rainier Pool
Check back for options at Mount Rainier Pool in Des Moines on the Mount Rainier High School Campus.
Medgar Evers Pool
Medgar Evers Pool is located next to Garfield High School in Seattle’s Central District.
Check back for options at Medgar Evers Pool.
Rainier Beach Pool
Rainier Beach Pool is located in south Seattle
Rainier Beach Pool holds a FREE Late Night Teen Lifeguard Program every Friday from 7:00pm – 8:30pm for teens 13yrs old to 18yrs old. It is a great way to improve your swimming skills with free swim lessons and lifeguard training skills to prepare you.
Check back for lifeguard training class options at Rainier Beach Pool in Seattle.
Lifeguard Training Class - July 22nd, 29th, August 5th (all days required)
- Monday July 15th (12pm – 2pm) - Pre-Test for prerequisites (other times may be arranged before the first day of class)
- Mondays July 22nd, 29th and August 5th (10:00am - 6:00pm)
Southwest Pool
Southwest Pool is located in West Seattle near Chief Stealth High School and Denny Middle School in the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex.
Check back for lifeguard classes at Southwest Pool in Seattle.
Lifeguard Training Class - TBD
South King County Pools
If you know of a lifeguard training class at this location and we aren’t showing it, please let us know and we’ll work to get you registered! We do our best to keep our site updated with the latest classes and appreciate your help.
Curtis Aquatic Center
Check back for options at Curtis Aquatic Center at Curtis High School in University Place.
If you know of a lifeguard training class at this location and we aren’t showing it, please let us know and we’ll work to get you registered! We do our best to keep our site updated with the latest classes and appreciate your help.
Covington Aquatic Center
Covington Aquatic Center is in Covington next to the Maple View Middle School.
If you know of a lifeguard training class at this location and we aren’t showing it, please let us know and we’ll work to get you registered! We do our best to keep our site updated with the latest classes and appreciate your help.
Evergreen Community Aquatic Center
Check back for options at Evergreen Community Aquatic Center in south Seattle serving White Center, Burien, and West Seattle.
If you know of a lifeguard training class at this location and we aren’t showing it, please let us know and we’ll work to get you registered! We do our best to keep our site updated with the latest classes and appreciate your help.
Lifeguard Skill Assessments - Wednesday March 27th, Thursday March 28th, and Friday March 29th (Choose one)
These are opportunities to learn the lifeguard class prerequisites, practice them, and identify skills you may need to practice before taking the lifeguard training class. You only need to sign up for one of these times.
- Wednesday March 27th - 3:30pm - 4:30pm
- Thursday March 28th - 7:00pm - 8:00pm
- Friday March 29th - 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Lifeguard Training Class - Monday, April 1st - Wednesday, April 3rd
- Monday and Tuesday 9am - 3pm, Wednesday 9am - 1pm
Lifeguard Training Class - Monday, April 8th - Wednesday, April 10th
- Monday and Tuesday 9am - 3pm, Wednesday 9am - 1pm
The online portion of the course will be sent after you are registered. This must be completed by the first day of the class.
Federal Way Community Center Pool
Check back for options at Federal Way Community Center Pool in Seattle.
If you know of a lifeguard training class at this location and we aren’t showing it, please let us know and we’ll work to get you registered! We do our best to keep our site updated with the latest classes and appreciate your help.
The online portion of the course will be sent after you are registered. This must be completed by the first day of the class.
Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center
Classes are typically Monday and Wednesday and some Fridays. They are held most months. It is expected to see classes in May, June, July, Sept, Oct, Nov and Dec. We will cover the cost of the American Red Cross course and encourage you to use the free pdf version of the American Red Cross Training Manual. We will cover the cost of the adult/child and infant CPR masks.
If you know of a lifeguard training class at this location and we aren’t showing it, please let us know and we’ll work to get you registered! We do our best to keep our site updated with the latest classes and appreciate your help.
Free Lifeguard Training Program
King County Aquatic Center is hiring students who want to become lifeguards and will pay for their lifeguard skill development and certification. Starting salary is $20.10/hour. You must be 15 years old to apply and complete all trainings within 3 months of being hired.
Mentor Swims Skill Development
- Offered Mon - Fri, Sat starting Oct 1st - Nov 23rd; times vary see flyer
King County Aquatic Center is offering free swims with experienced lifeguard and swim instructors to prepare students to pass the American Rec Cross lifeguard pre-requisites and Northwest Lifeguard Preparation courses which are required at the King County Aquatic Center.
No prior swimming experience or ability is required.
These sessions are a great way to explore if lifeguarding is a good fit and will allow you to develop the necessary skills.
Lifeguard Prep Skill Development
King County Aquatic Center is offering Lifeguard Prep swimming lessons for ages 11 – 14yrs old to prepare students to pass the American Red Cross Lifeguard and the Northwest Lifeguard Preparation courses. Both courses are required to work at the King County Aquatic Center. View and download the flyer to learn more and how to register for the 5-week sessions.
See the above flyers to learn more about King County Aquatic Center’s free lifeguard training and certification offerings.
If you register through SPLASHForward, we will support you in coordinating with King County Aquatic Center and help answer your questions.
Tukwila Pool
Check back for options at Tukwila Pool in Tukwila.
If you know of a lifeguard training class at this location and we aren’t showing it, please let us know and we’ll work to get you registered! We do our best to keep our site updated with the latest classes and appreciate your help.
Kent YMCA Pool
Check back for options at YMCA in Kent.
If you know of a lifeguard training class at this location and we aren’t showing it, please let us know and we’ll work to get you registered! We do our best to keep our site updated with the latest classes and appreciate your help.
- 10828 SE 248th ST Kent, WA 98030
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Lindbergh Pool
Check back for options at Lindbergh Pool at Lindbergh High School in Renton.
If you know of a lifeguard training class at this location and we aren’t showing it, please let us know and we’ll work to get you registered! We do our best to keep our site updated with the latest classes and appreciate your help.
Henry Moses Aquatic Center
Henry Moses Aquatic Center is a summer only facility. They typically hold lifeguard training classes late May and early June as well as during the summer.
Henry Moses Aquatic Center is in Renton.
- Apply to the City of Renton to be trained as a summer lifeguard.
- Apply to the City of Renton to be trained as a summer lifeguard.
We maintain a waitlist, so if you are interested and none of the options work for you, please sign up! We will let you know of future opportunities.
Questions? info@splashforward.org
What happens after you become a certified lifeguard?
We will support you in finding a lifeguarding job.
We provide you with resources, how to apply and put your best foot forward, and direct contacts at local aquatic facilities. We share with you what the facilities are looking for and other opportunities the facilities provide.
Even if you don’t land a job right away, we will support you when you decide to find a job. Reach out to let us know when you are ready!
Your lifeguard certification is valid for two years.
Questions?
Thank you!
Thank you to our National Injury Prevention Day partners who worked together to make this opportunity possible!
We enjoyed the teamwork and dedication each organization provided and look forward to future opportunities together.
Stronger Together
Interested in supporting our program?
Are you or your business interested in sponsoring or supporting this program so we can grow to add more lifeguard training opportunities to more high school students?
We have some great ways you can help. Let’s talk!
SPLASHForward is leading the advocacy efforts to bring new world-class public aquatics centers to our region. We are a community advocacy group, aquatics thought leader, and private funding partner. We envision a world where everyone is safe around water and has equitable access to best-in-class aquatic centers that are vibrant places of pride and inclusive for all. Our mission is to build healthier, stronger, and safer communities by creating equitable access to aquatic facilities and programs that build essential life skills, inclusion, connection, and active lifestyles.
Learn more about SPLASHForward
