Lifeguard Certification Courses

At this time all of our scheduled courses are finished.  We could potentially have one more full certification course end of June for those wanting employment with Lake Williamson. Use the form below to be added to the waitlist for this last course or call the Lake Williamson office at 217-854-4820.

Full Lifeguard Course

Date TBD - Estimated week of June 19th

Cost:
$200 with payment in full due upon class start / Cash or Check only please

Course Details:
• Participant must be at least 15 years of age.
• Participant must attend all course sessions in full.
• Participant must know how to swim & feel comfortable in and under the water
• Participant must be able to demonstrate both a front stroke and breaststroke
• Goggles may only be used on the 300-yard pre-course assessment swim, nose plugs are not permitted
• Participant must have an email address to use for registration (no shared emails)
Bring sack lunch, we will have a “working lunch”
• Participant must bring modest swimming attire, towel, and clothes. Multiple towels suggested.  We will be going back and forth between classroom and pool in the course session.

The course begins with a prerequisite testing session. This is per American Red Cross teaching guidelines. Details of the three tests are:

1. Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.

2. Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.

3. Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.
• Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face may be in or out of the water. 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 object.
• Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath. Candidates should not swim the distance under water.
• Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.