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Learn the skills needed to prevent and respond to emergencies, while earning the certification needed to work as a pool lifeguard!
As a Licensed Training Provider for the American Red Cross, Santa Cruz County Parks/Simpkins Family Swim Center offers Lifeguard courses seasonally (Feb-May, Aug-Oct). Due to other concurrent aquatic programs, lifeguard certifcation courses are not available at Simpkins Family Swim Center during the Summer season.
All courses are "blended learning" format, consisting of independent online coursework followed by in-person skill sessions.
A strong swimming prerequisite and physical stamina are necessary to participate in Lifeguard certification courses. Please see course prerequisite swim test below, and www.redcross.org for more information on lifeguard certifcation or to search for courses offered by other providers
Contact us to register after viewing the course schedule and checking your calendar— Online registration is not available due to limited spaces. Participants must attend all skills sessions for the course offering in which they enroll.
Complete pre-course swim assessment at the Swim Center to receive online access to course materials. The online portion of the course must be completed independantly before attending CPR session and in-water skill sessions the following week.
Attend in-person skill sessions. To sucessfully pass the course participants must be able to independantly demonstrate the required CPR and rescue skills, demonstrate sucess in multiple-responder team scenarios, and pass a multiple-choice test with at least 80% by the course conclusion date. Study guide packets for the lifeguarding course content will be provided at your time of registration/pre-course swim assessment.
(831) 454-7960
Monday – Friday 6:00 AM to 7:45 PM, except holidays
swimcenter@scparks.com
Our physical office is open, but staff availability is limited as some staff members are working remotely.