The Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Instructor certification prepares candidates to teach and evaluate basic swim strokes and related skills. Swim Instructors teach and evaluate candidates in the Society’s Swim for Life® and Canadian Swim Patrol levels. Candidates are trained in, and must demonstrate skills, knowledge, and attitudes at a Competency Level 1 to achieve certification.
Prerequisites
15 years of age (by last day)
Bronze Cross (need not be current)
Candidates are responsible for having the correct prerequisites. If you have any questions in regards to this please reach out to us.
Recognition
Digital Certificate
Currency
2 years from certification date
Recertification
The Swim for Life Instructor Recert renews a candidate’s Swim for Life Instructor award for 24 months. Candidates must successfully pass the course and complete a Swim for Life® skills assessment.
Prerequisites
Swim for Life Instructor (current within 5 years)
Candidates are responsible for having the correct prerequisites. If you have any questions in regards to this please reach out to us.
Recognition
Digital certificate
Currency
2 years from certification date
Find a Location/availability
Facility Name
City, Region
Dates
Price
Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex
Coquitlam, Lower Mainland
03 Jan 2026 to 28 Feb 2026
$293.00
Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex
Coquitlam, Lower Mainland
03 Jan 2026 to 28 Feb 2026
$293.00
Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex
Coquitlam, Lower Mainland
06 Jan 2026 to 29 Jan 2026
$293.00
Gordon Head Recreation Centre
Victoria, Vancouver Island
06 Jan 2026 to 07 Mar 2026
$429.00
Walnut Grove Community Centre
Langley, Lower Mainland
08 Jan 2026 to 12 Mar 2026
–
LIT Aquatics – Tong Louie Family YMCA
Surrey, Lower Mainland
09 Jan 2026 to 18 Jan 2026
$650.00
Guildford Recreation Centre
Surrey, Lower Mainland
09 Jan 2026 to 18 Jan 2026
$430.00
Cowichan Aquatic Centre
Duncan, Vancouver Island
10 Jan 2026 to 01 Feb 2026
$510.00
Vernon Recreation Centre
Vernon, Thompson-Okanagan
10 Jan 2026 to 14 Mar 2026
$427.00
Ladner Leisure Centre
Delta, Lower Mainland
10 Jan 2026 to 14 Mar 2026
$453.00
Sungod Recreation
Delta, Lower Mainland
11 Jan 2026 to 08 Mar 2026
$453.00
LIT Aquatics – Robert Lee YMCA
Vancouver, Lower Mainland
16 Jan 2026 to 25 Jan 2026
$650.00
LIT Aquatics – Matsqui Recreation Centre
Abbotsford, Lower Mainland
16 Jan 2026 to 25 Jan 2026
$650.00
Penticton Community Centre
Penticton, Thompson-Okanagan
17 Jan 2026 to 14 Feb 2026
$440.00
Esquimalt Recreation Centre
Victoria, Vancouver Island
20 Jan 2026 to 12 Feb 2026
$380.00
LIT Aquatics – Bettie Allard YMCA
Coquitlam, Lower Mainland
23 Jan 2026 to 01 Feb 2026
$650.00
Newton Recreation Centre
Surrey, Lower Mainland
23 Jan 2026 to 01 Feb 2026
$430.00
Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Center
Westbank, Thompson-Okanagan
24 Jan 2026 to 07 Mar 2026
$525.00
LIT Aquatics – Mission Leisure Centre
Mission, Lower Mainland
30 Jan 2026 to 08 Feb 2026
$650.00
LIT Aquatics – Maple Ridge Leisure Centre
Maple Ridge, Lower Mainland
30 Jan 2026 to 08 Feb 2026
$650.00
Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex
Coquitlam, Lower Mainland
07 Feb 2026 to 07 Mar 2026
$293.00
Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex
Coquitlam, Lower Mainland
07 Feb 2026 to 07 Mar 2026
$293.00
Newton Recreation Centre
Surrey, Lower Mainland
07 Feb 2026 to 16 Feb 2026
$430.00
Canfor Leisure Pool
Prince George, North
07 Feb 2026 to 14 Mar 2026
$550.00
LIT Aquatics – Bettie Allard YMCA
Coquitlam, Lower Mainland
07 Feb 2026 to 07 Feb 2026
$165.00
Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex
Coquitlam, Lower Mainland
10 Feb 2026 to 05 Mar 2026
$293.00
LIT Aquatics – Robert Lee YMCA
Vancouver, Lower Mainland
13 Feb 2026 to 22 Feb 2026
$650.00
LIT Aquatics – Matsqui Recreation Centre
Abbotsford, Lower Mainland
20 Feb 2026 to 01 Mar 2026
$650.00
LIT Aquatics – Tong Louie Family YMCA
Surrey, Lower Mainland
20 Feb 2026 to 08 Mar 2026
$650.00
LIT Aquatics – Mission Leisure Centre
Mission, Lower Mainland
06 Mar 2026 to 15 Mar 2026
$650.00
LIT Aquatics – Robert Lee YMCA
Vancouver, Lower Mainland
13 Mar 2026 to 22 Mar 2026
$650.00
LIT Aquatics – Bettie Allard YMCA
Coquitlam, Lower Mainland
13 Mar 2026 to 22 Mar 2026
$650.00
Vernon Recreation Centre
Vernon, Thompson-Okanagan
15 Mar 2026 to 26 Mar 2026
$427.00
LIT Aquatics – Tong Louie Family YMCA
Surrey, Lower Mainland
16 Mar 2026 to 20 Mar 2026
$650.00
LIT Aquatics – Bettie Allard YMCA
Coquitlam, Lower Mainland
16 Mar 2026 to 20 Mar 2026
$650.00
LIT Aquatics – Tong Louie Family YMCA
Surrey, Lower Mainland
23 Mar 2026 to 27 Mar 2026
$650.00
LIT Aquatics – Matsqui Recreation Centre
Abbotsford, Lower Mainland
23 Mar 2026 to 27 Mar 2026
$650.00
Creston and District Community Complex
Creston, Kootenays
23 Mar 2026 to 02 May 2026
$557.00
Esquimalt Recreation Centre
Victoria, Vancouver Island
05 May 2026 to 28 May 2026
$380.00
Quesnel Arts & Recreation Centre
Quesnel, North
20 Jul 2026 to 31 Jul 2026
$703.00
Cowichan Aquatic Centre
Duncan, Vancouver Island
26 Jul 2026 to 06 Aug 2026
$510.00
Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex
Course:
Swim Instructor
Start Date:
03 Jan 2026 to
03 Jan 2026 –
08:00 AM to
03:00 PM
End Date:
28 Feb 2026 to
28 Feb 2026 –
08:00 AM to
03:00 PM
Course notes
Course runs Saturdays with Teaching Experience on Fridays. Price does not include tax or candidate fee.
This Lifesaving Society course certifies candidates as a Swim for Life Instructor. Using a competency-based model, candidates are taught the principles and philosophy of teaching and evaluation specific to swimming. This leadership course provides candidates with the theory, knowledge, and skills to certify individuals in the Swim for Life and Canadian Swim Patrol programs. The course includes 32 hours of instructional time and up to 8 hours of practical teaching experience.
NOTE: The session on Tuesday, Jan 6, is an informal pre-course skills assessment designed to provide candidates with additional time to ensure they are demonstrating swim strokes and skills to a Swimmer 6 level before the course begins. All other course dates are Saturdays from 9:00am to 5:30pm.
Prerequisites: 15 years of age by last day of course, completion of Bronze Cross, and must be able to demonstrate the skills to a Swimmer 6 level . Prerequisites must be shown on the first day of the course.
Course Runs Saturdays:
9am-12pm will be Teach Experience with real lessons. (exact times to be assigned on first day)
12:30-5pm will be course time.
[No Class Feb 14th]
Course Days: Feb 7- March 14 Saturdays. 1:00PM-7:30PM
Teaching Experience: Feb 8 – Mar 1st Sundays 8:00AM-12:30PM (times given on first day based on supervising instructor availability)
Candidates will receive all course materials and teaching experience instructions on the first day of the course.
Course starts on Sunday as a classroom day, then runs Monday-Thursday for 2 weeks, 9am-5pm.
This includes the mandatory teach experience with real lessons. Exact times to be discussed on day 1.
The Swim Instructor Recert renews a candidate’s Swim Instructor award for 24 months. Candidates must successfully pass the course and complete a Swim for Life® skills assessment.
Prerequisite: Proof of previous Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor award.
