Training

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AMERICAN RED CROSS COURSES 


The City of Winter Haven is a licensed training provider of the American Red Cross. 

All courses are taught by an American Red Cross certified instructor, and are held at the Rowdy Gaines Olympic Pool. 


Lifeguard Training

 
This course is three weeks long. 

The purpose of this course is to provide participants with the skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies. 

Prerequisites: 

Must be 15 years or older.

Must complete a swim test prior to the first night of class: 

Part 1: Swim-Tread-Swim Sequence

    • Complete a 150 yard continuous swim (freestyle or breaststroke only)
    • Tread water for 2 minutes (using legs only) 
    • Complete a 50 yard continuous swim (freestyle or breaststroke only)

Part 2: Timed Event 

    • Swim 20 yards 
    • Surface dive to a depth of 7 to 13 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object 
    • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to the starting point while holding the object
    • Exit the water
    • Must be done within 1 minutes, 40 seconds 

Days: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday

Times: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Class Date:  Session 2: February 9th - 26th 

Class Registration:  All inquiring candidates can call the Aquatics Office at 863-268-6766 to get more information and register. 


Water Safety Instructor 

 
This course is four weeks long. 

The purpose of this course is to equip instructors with the tools and skills needed to teach and effectively promote water safety in, on and around the water. 

Prerequisites: 


Must be 16 years or older 

Must be Lifeguard Certified

Must complete a swim test prior to the first night of class:

  • Swim 25 yards of freestyle
  • Swim 25 yards of breaststroke
  • Swim 25 yards of elementary backstroke
  • Swim 25 yards of backstroke
  • Swim 25 yards of sidestroke
  • Swim 15 yards of butterfly

Days: Tuesday and Wednesday

Times: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Fees: $175 - Resident           $218 - Non-Resident

Class Dates: Session 1: March 24th - April 15th 

Class Registration:  All inquiring candidates can call the Aquatics Office at 863-268-6766 to get more information and register. 

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CPR training two lifeguards at pool