Lifeguard Certifications
The YMCA offers a full American Red Cross Lifeguard Training course that includes CPR for the Professional Rescuer, first aid, administering emergency oxygen, equipment-based rescues for aquatic environments, accident prevention and decision-making skills.
Participants must be 15 years old by the end of the class. Online prework, attendance, full participation, successful completion of written tests and performance of all water skills are required.
If you're interested in working as a lifeguard for the YMCA, training may be available at no cost to you. Contact our branch aquatics directors for additional information.
Skill Requirements
- Jump into the water from the side, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim 150 yards
- After swimming 150 yards, maintain position at the surface of the water without support for 2 minutes by treading (while treading, you can only use your legs)
- After maintaining position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes, swim 50 more yards.
- Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
- Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face can be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not permitted.
- Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
- Surface and swim 20 yards on the back with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to breath. Candidates should not swim the distance under water.
- Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.
Lifeguard Certification Classes
Each session lasts 3 days.
| Branch | Dates | Days & Times | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.E. Finley YMCA | Fri, April 10 - Sun., April 12 | Fri., 4 - 8 p.m. Sat., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun., 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Member: $250 Participant: $312 |
| Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA | Fri, April 17 - Sun., April 19 | Fri., 4:30 - 9:30 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sun., 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Member: $250 Participant: $312 |
| Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA | Fri, June 19 - Sun., June 21 | Fri., 4:30 - 9:30 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sun., 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Member: $250 Participant: $312 |
Recertification Classes
Class is one day only.
| Branch | Dates | Days & Times | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.E. Finley YMCA | Sat, April 25 | 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. | Member: $140 Participant: $175 |
Contact our branch staff listed below if you are interested in future training and/or recertification opportunities.
Junior Lifeguard
If you love to swim and care about the safety of others, find your purpose as a Junior Lifeguard! Gain the technical and interpersonal skills required of a lifeguard and learn about water safety and swim instruction. Graduates of this program will build confidence and improve leadership skills in and out of the pool and have the opportunity to be a Y lifeguard in the future!
The Junior Lifeguards (ages 14 - 15) are aquatics leaders in training. They will have opportunities to learn from lifeguards, enjoy fellowship with their peers and have fun while at YMCA aquatics facilities. The Junior Lifeguards will receive aquatics, leadership and professional training that challenges them to grow as individuals, serve their aquatic programs and build community by acting as positive role models.
Additionally, participants will learn how to prepare a resume and go through a mock interview so they are ready to apply for YMCA staff opportunities when they turn 16!
Junior Lifeguards are not staff members. They are participants supervised by head lifeguards and/or program coordinators.
Registration
The Junior Lifeguard program is offered during session 5 (two weeks) of the CILTs program at Finley Day Camp in 2026. Sign up through the Finley Day Camp CILTs registration page. During camp registration, be sure to opt-in to the Junior Lifeguard program.
Branch Contacts
A.E. Finley YMCA: Linda Singh
Program Details
Anyone who are ages 14 and 15 years of age (as of the dates of the program).
Approximately 40 hours.
14-year-old: American Red Cross Junior Lifeguarding Certificate*
*Can be upgraded to Red Cross LG Certificate with additional training and meeting age requirements
15-year-old: CPR for Professional Rescuers, First Aid, Oxygen, American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certificate*
*Upon turning 16, can apply to become a YMCA staff member
- Listen First
- Resume Writing
- Interviewing Skills
Participants will be responsible for completing 40 service hours. Participants will use a Junior Lifeguard Service Hours Tracker to manage their service record. Service hours must be completed within three months of the training program.
- Welcome members
- Pool deck engagement
- Monitoring water slides (in addition to lifeguard supervision)
- Water watching (*NOT LIFEGUARDING)
Aquatics Directors
Questions? Please get in touch with our Aquatics Directors.
A.E. Finley YMCA: Meagan Smith
Alexander Family YMCA: Finley Baldwin
Chapel Hill - Carrboro YMCA and YMCA at Meadowmont: Jonathan Sasser
Downtown Durham and Hope Valley Farms YMCAs: Stanley Bass
East Triangle YMCA: David Huie
Ingram Family YMCA & Chatham Park YMCA: Max Turner
Kerr Family YMCA: Antoinette Pujol
Kraft Family YMCA: Madison Temple
Northwest Cary YMCA: Shane Tillett
Poole Family YMCA: Jaime Jewett
Taylor Family YMCA: Brandon Hicks
Southeast Raleigh YMCA: Waleska Brown