Orchard Park Recreation - Aquatics Program

Lifeguard Certification Course

Orchard Park Recreation Lifeguard Certification Course

The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to teach participants the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. The course content and activities prepare participants to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and prevent drownings and injuries.

The Blended Learning allows participants to complete part of the classroom work at home while giving the class more time to work on skills in the water. Participants MUST be mature and responsible enough to complete the online learning prior to all skill sessions. An electronic completion certificate will be sent to OPREC for each participant when they complete the online modules. If an online module is not complete before a skill session as assigned, that participant will not be able to participate in the water session nor complete the course. No refunds will be provided.

Pre-requisites: 

  • 15 years of age before the final scheduled class.
  • Successfully complete a required 300 yard continuous swim, 2 minutes treading water without arms and complete a timed retrieval of a 10 pound object seven to nine feet below the surface.

If a participant does not meet the pre-requisite skill on the first day of class, the participant will be reimbursed for the course.


Participants MUST Attend all classes in order to become certified as a Lifeguard.

Upon completion participants will be certified in CPR/AED, First Aid, and Life guarding

** Please note there is not an online discount for any certification course**

Lifeguard Certification / Blended Learning 

Dates- Please note all of the below are in person classes at the OP Middle School Pool:

1/9 4:30-7:30pm

1/10 7:30a-12p

1/17 7:30a- 12p

1/24 7:30a- 12p

1/31 7:30a- 12p

2/8 7:30a- 12p ** this is a Sunday**

  • Participants must attend all in water session in order to pass. There are NO makeup days.
  • This is a blended learning course, participants will have to complete online course work prior to each class.
  • Cost: $270.00

** Please note there is no online discount for Certification Courses***