Train To Save Lives.
Build the skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies. Club Fit offers American Red Cross Lifeguard Training, recertification, CPR/AED training, Waterfront training and Water Safety Instructor certification.
More Than A Skill. A Responsibility.
Lifeguard training prepares participants to recognize dangerous situations, respond to aquatic emergencies and provide professional-level care until emergency medical personnel arrive.
What Are You Training For?
Start with the course that matches your current certification and the skills you need.
Lifeguard Training Initial Certification.
This course is intended for someone who does not have a current Lifeguard Certification and prepares them to work at either a pool or a waterfront location. Includes CPR for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid.
Please inquire for waterfront certification module dates & pricing.
Purpose
The primary purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over.
Age Requirements
Participants must be at least 15 years of age by the last scheduled day of the course and show proof of age at the pre-course test.
Lifeguard Training Prerequisites
- Successfully complete the swim test outlined below, proficiently demonstrating the front crawl and breaststroke. Swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
- Swim-tread-swim sequence: Jump into water from the side, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim 150 yards. Then maintain position at the surface of the water without support for 2 minutes by treading. Lastly, swim 50 more yards.
- While treading, arms must be under your armpits and head above the surface of the water.
- Complete Timed Brick Test (1 minute and 40 seconds).
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. Swim goggles are not allowed.
- Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound brick.
- Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the brick 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.
Waterfront Lifeguard Training Prerequisites
- Successfully complete the swim test outlined below, proficiently demonstrating the front crawl and breaststroke. Swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
- Swim-tread-swim sequence: Jump into the water from the side, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim 350 yards. Then maintain position at the surface of the water without support for 2 minutes by treading. Lastly, swim 200 more yards.
- While treading, arms must be under your armpits and head above the surface of the water.
- Complete the Timed Brick Test in 1 minute and 40 seconds.
- Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4 to 7 feet of water, resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards to complete the skill sequence. Goggles are not allowed.
Course Facts
- Certificate Issued and Validity Period: The American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED is valid for 2 years. However, the NYS Board of Health requires lifeguards to be re-certified annually in CPR.
- CPR for the Professional Rescuer Course is included within the Lifeguard Training Course.
- Pocket mask will be provided for initial courses.
- Early enrollment is crucial to ensure the course meets the minimum number of participants to run and to allow enough time to complete the online learning component before the course begins. Online learning can typically take 6–8 hours.
Student Expectations
- Arrive on time to every class session. Due to the condensed format, exceptions cannot be made. A missed session constitutes a failure. Excessive tardiness of more than 20 minutes constitutes an automatic failure.
- Students must attend the entire course and participate in all class sessions.
- Demonstrate competency in all required skills.
- Successfully pass final written exams with a minimum grade of 80%.
- Complete all homework assignments, including all hours of online learning. Blended learning coursework assigned after completion of the pre-test MUST be completed before the first day of class and can typically take 6–8 hours.
Check Back For Winter 2026 Dates.
Initial Certification sessions are offered as a 3-day course. New Jefferson Valley dates will be posted here.
Strong Skills.
Calm Response.
All Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor offerings are “Blended Learning Courses.” This means that a portion of the course will be taken online, prior to the start of the course. Upon completion of Blended Learning, you will be prompted to print your “training completion” record. Please bring this to the first day of your course.
If a participant does not access the Blended Learning link prior to 48 hours before the start of class, there is a $20 penalty to gain access to complete the online learning component.
Waterfront Lifeguard Training.
Waterfront Lifeguards learn the skills needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas found in public parks, resorts, summer camps and campgrounds. Candidates learn and demonstrate how to perform Waterfront Rescue Skills safely and effectively.
Waterfront Pre-Course Test
- Swim-tread-swim sequence totaling 550 yards: swim 350 yards, tread for 2 minutes without support, then swim 200 yards.
- While treading, arms must be under your armpits and head above the surface of the water.
- Complete the Timed Brick Test in 1 minute and 40 seconds.
- Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three dive rings placed 5 yards apart in 4 to 7 feet of water, resurface and continue another 5 yards. Goggles are not allowed.
All Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor offerings are Blended Learning Courses. A portion of the course is completed online prior to the start of class and can typically take 6–8 hours. Upon completion, bring your training completion record or a screenshot of completion to the first day of the course.
Club Fit reserves the right to cancel and reschedule a course when fewer than five participants have signed up. Participants who cannot attend must provide two weeks notice to receive a full refund or be placed into another course. If a participant fails the swimming portion of Lifeguard Training, they are eligible for a refund less a $100 processing fee. Early enrollment is crucial so the course can meet minimum enrollment and online learning content can be distributed in time.
Additional Red Cross Training.
Lifeguard Re-Certification
Our Recertification course is intended for someone who possesses a valid American Red Cross Lifeguard certificate. This course re-certifies lifeguards to work at a pool or waterfront location. Certifications may not be more than 30 days past the date of expiration. Includes CPR for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid. This is a condensed version of our Lifeguard Training class.
Course Facts
- The American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED is valid for 2 years. However, the NYS Board of Health requires lifeguards to be re-certified annually in CPR.
- Students must bring a copy or screenshot of their current Lifeguard certification to show expiration date.
- Students will complete the Basic Lifeguard or Lifeguard with Waterfront pre-test on the first day of class.
- CPR for the Professional Rescuer is included.
- Pocket mask is required. Students MUST bring their own or purchase one from the instructor.
- Blended learning coursework assigned after enrollment MUST be completed before the first day of class.
Student Expectations
- Arrive on time to every class session. A missed session constitutes a failure. Excessive tardiness of more than 20 minutes constitutes an automatic failure.
- Attend the entire course and participate in all class sessions.
- Demonstrate competency in all required skills.
- Pass final written exams with a minimum grade of 80%.
- Complete all homework and online learning before the first day of class.
CPR/AED For Professional Rescuer
CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer training is available for professional rescuers who need to stay current on lifesaving response skills.
Important Course Details
CPR mask required. Masks can be purchased for $20.
Contact Rachel at rmackay@clubfit.com or (914) 250-2727.
Water Safety Instructor
This course is for individuals who want to become certified Water Safety Instructors. The WSI course teaches American Red Cross standards for becoming an effective swim instructor.
About The Course
The course begins with Fundamentals of Instructor Training (FIT), then teaches proper stroke technique and how to conduct swim lessons for children and adults of all ages. Students should have strong stroke proficiency before registering.
Pre-Course Skills Test
WSI candidates must be at least 16 years old and successfully complete:
- Front Crawl — 25 yards
- Back Crawl — 25 yards
- Breaststroke — 25 yards
- Elementary Backstroke — 25 yards
- Sidestroke — 25 yards
- Butterfly — 15 yards
- Tread water for one minute
- Maintain position on back for one minute using sculling or floating
Completion Requirements
Skills must be consistent with American Red Cross Learn to Swim / Level 4 Stroke Performance criteria. Candidates must complete the pre-course skills, attend all classes, participate, be prepared for teach-back assignments and earn at least 80% on the final exam.
Strong Skills. Calm Response.
American Red Cross courses at Club Fit combine hands-on skills, classroom instruction and online learning so participants arrive prepared for the in-person portion of training.
Blended Learning
Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor offerings include online coursework before class. This can typically take 6–8 hours and MUST be completed before the first day of class.
Bring Completion Proof
Bring your training completion record or a screenshot showing completion to the first day of your course.
Attendance + Exams
Students must attend all sessions, demonstrate competency in required skills and earn at least 80% on final written exams.
Enroll Early
Early enrollment helps ensure the class meets its minimum enrollment and gives participants enough time to complete the online learning component.
Upcoming Training Sessions.
Browse upcoming Jefferson Valley Lifeguard Training and certification opportunities below.
Events
Train Today. Be Ready Tomorrow.
Pre-registration is required for American Red Cross training. Choose the course and session that works for you and begin your certification process.