NLS National Lifeguard – Proficient Training

National Lifeguard (NL or NLS) is the only nationally recognized lifeguard program in Canada.

On this page, you will find information about:

National Lifeguard courses;
National Lifeguard Re-certifications; and,
National Lifeguard Waterfront courses.

You will learn about rescue techniques through hands on scenario-based situations. You will also learn about pool operations, administration, programs, and other related topics. Much of the course is in the water but there will also be an online component and a classroom lecture component.

This course is about 44 hours long.

There are a few prerequisites. You must be:

At least 15 years old; and,
Have Standard First Aid (from either Red Cross, Lifesaving Society, St John Ambulance, Criti-Care EMS, or Heart Beat ECSI); and,
Have one of Bronze Cross or Distinction.

It is expected everyone will have at least a reasonable level of fitness, and that they will have been vaccinated for Covid-19.

Next Courses:

NLS
- We are not running our own NLS Pool classes at this time. We are contracted to deliver courses for other organizations such as Pan-Am Pool, City of Winnipeg. Registration is through the City of Winnipeg.

National Lifeguard (NLS or NL) Recertification

Your NLS must be recertified every 2 years in order to remain current.

We are not offering any NLS Pool Recertifications at this time.

National Lifeguard Waterfront

Lifeguarding a waterfront is very different than lifeguarding a pool. This course is an add-on to an NLS Pool course. To take this course, you must have already taken NLS.

Next Courses

Tuesday to Friday, June 3-6, 10:00am-4:00pm.
- Tuesday will be at an Indoor Pool (location: TBA)
- Wednesday-Friday will be at Birds Hill Park Waterfront.
- $199 if paid before February 28, 2025; $249 between March 1 and April 30; $289 after that.
- GST will be added to the total.
Thursday, July 10, from 5:00-9:00pm; Friday, July 11, from 5:00-9:00pm; Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13, from 9:00-5:00.
- Thursday will be at an Indoor Pool (location: TBA).
- Friday-Sunday will be at Birds Hill Park Waterfront.
- $199 if paid before February 28, 2025; $249 between March 1 and April 30; $289 after that.
- GST will be added to the total.

Candidates are expected to be reasonably fit, and must have the following equipment: wetsuit, mask and snorkel, CPR mask or face shield, first aid gloves, Alert: Lifeguarding in Action manual, NL Award Guide, and Canadian Lifesaving Manual.

To register, just send us your first name, last name and email address to this email: brian@proficient-training.com.

Payment can be made by e-transfer to brian@proficient-training.com. Please email us if you would like different payment options.