If you are age 15 or older and have always wanted to be a lifeguard, but couldn’t afford to become certified… read on for more details on these free classes hosted by the Wichita Department of Park and Recreation!

Funding for these free classes is provided by the Career Development Office with a Federal Community Services Block Grant through the Kansas Resources Corporation.

Lifeguard Readiness

This class is for students who are comfortable in the water, but need a little help on improving strokes and endurance. The class will help prepare you to be successful when you enroll in the lifeguard training class.

Entry Requirements
Students must be at least age 15 by May 1, confident in chest-deep water, able to submerge under water and have the ability to float.

Course Content
We will focus on refining the strokes (Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Side Stroke and Breast Stroke) so students can swim with more ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances. Additional time will be spent on submerging to retrieve an object, treading water and stamina.

Class Length
6 classes at 1.5 hours each. Students will receive incentives for each class they attend.

Dates

Saturdays
March 14, 21 & 28, 2009
1:30-3:00 pm

Sundays
March 15, 22 & 29, 2009
1:30-3:00 pm

Location
WSU Heskett Center, 1845 Fairmount

Lifeguard Training

This is a Red Cross Certification class for individuals who wish to serve as a lifeguard at a pool facility. Class includes First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer and Automatic External Defibrillation (AED).

Prerequisite
Students must be a minimum age of 15 by the last day of the course and complete a swim of 300-yards using the front crawl and breaststroke, a timed surface dive with a 10 pound brick recovery from a 7 foot depth and a 20-yard swim while carrying the brick. Failing the pre-test disqualifies you from the course.

Class Dates
Attendance is required at all classes. All materials associated with the class will be provided along with incentives for attendance.

Fridays
April 10 & 17, 2009
5:00-8:00 pm

Saturdays
April 4, 11 & 18, 2009
9:00am-5:00 pm

Sunday
April 5 & 19, 2009
1:00-5:00 pm

Location
WSU Heskett Center, 1845 Fairmount

Application Process

Contact Barbara McGuire at 268-4361 for more information or one of the following locations, Monday-Friday from 9 am-noon & 3-7 pm. (Registration deadline is one day prior to the first class and each class has limited enrollment).

McAdams Recreation Center 1329 E. 16th St. 337-9222

Colvin Recreation Center 2820 S. Roosevelt 303-8023

Evergreen Recreation Center 2700 N. Woodland 303-8036