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
Bronze Cross (need not be current)
Completed online Adapted Swim Instructor course prior to attending the in-person session
Must be at least 15 years old before the course completion date
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)
Completed online Adapted Swim Instructor course prior to attending the in-person session
Candidates are responsible for having the correct prerequisites. If you have any questions in regards to this please reach out to us.
Registration Opens Wednesday November 25 @ 7:30am
Classroom time differs each day depending on teaching experience and pool availability. Programmed classroom time will be confirmed by the trainer on the first day, and likely will be:
Sunday January 31 – 9:00-3:30pm
Tuesday February 2 – 4:00-8:30pm
Thursday February 4 – 4:00-8:30pm
Sunday February 7 – 9:00-3:30pm
Tuesday February 9 – Teaching Experience (1.5hrs between 4:00-7:00pm)
Thursday February 12 – Teaching Experience (1.5hrs between 4:00-7:00pm)
Sunday February 14 – Excluded Family Day Weekend
Tuesday February 16 – Teaching Experience (1.5hrs between 4:00-7:00pm)
Thursday February 18 – Teaching Experience (1.5hrs between 4:00-7:00pm)
Sunday February 21 – 9:00-3:30pm
Tuesday February 23 – Teaching Experience (1.5hrs between 4:00-7:00pm)
Thursday February 25 – Teaching Experience (1.5hrs between 4:00-7:00pm)
Sunday February 28 – Excluded
Tuesday March 2 – Teaching Experience (1.5hrs between 4:00-7:00pm)
Thursday March 4 – Teaching Experience (1.5hrs between 4:00-7:00pm)
Sunday March 7 – 9:00-3:30pm
Tuesday March 9 – Teaching Experience (1.5hrs between 4:00-7:00pm)
Thursday March 11 – Teaching Experience (1.5hrs between 4:00-7:00pm)
The Swim for Life Instructor Re-cert 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.
Candidates must bring their Swim for Life Award Guide and Canadian Swim Patrol Award Guide. *NEW for 2026 – candidates must complete the LSS Online Session: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Swimmers PRIOR to attending the in-person recert. Those not having completed the online session will be turned away.
The Swim for Life Instructor Re-cert 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.
Candidates must bring their Swim for Life Award Guide and Canadian Swim Patrol Award Guide. *NEW for 2026 – candidates must complete the LSS Online Session: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Swimmers PRIOR to attending the in-person recert. Those not having completed the online session will be turned away.
The Swim for Life Instructor Re-cert 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.
Candidates must bring their Swim for Life Award Guide and Canadian Swim Patrol Award Guide. *NEW for 2026 – candidates must complete the LSS Online Session: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Swimmers PRIOR to attending the in-person recert. Those not having completed the online session will be turned away.
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.
