Red Cross Waterfront only Module

SUMMER 2026

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE FOR INFORMATION ON

  • Course Description
  • Pre-course requirements
  • Course Dates & Times
  • Fees & Class Registration Link 
  • Facility Locations

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATIONAL FLYER (PDF)

American Red Cross Waterfront Course Description

Red Cross Waterfront Module is designed to train pool lifeguards in working non-surf beaches. You will be trained in using mask & fins, searching shallow & deep water areas, and using a rescue board. Training will occur in both pool and waterfront. Upon successful completion of this course (including written and rescue skills testing), you will receive an American Red Cross Lifeguard Waterfront Training certificate which is only valid with a current Red Cross Lifeguard Certificate. 

Participants should provide their own mask and fins if they plan to work at a waterfront that does deep water search & rescue.

Waterfront Pre-course Assessment:
Anyone taking any lifeguarding course MUST successfully complete all of the pre-course requirements.

  • Swim-Tread-Swim (Goggles Allowed): Swim 350 yards (14 lengths of pool) continuously, demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing using front crawl or breaststroke, tread water for two (2) minutes using only your legs, and then swim an additional 200 yards (8 lengths of of pool)
  • Timed Event (Goggles NOT Allowed) Complete within 1 minute, 40 seconds: Starting from the shallow end of the pool, swim 20 yards, surface dive to retrieve a 10-pound object from the deep end of pool, (7 to 10 feet), return to starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands while keeping your face at or near the surface, and exit water without using ladder or steps. LIFEGUARDS NEED TO OPEN THEIR EYES UNDERWATER. (contact lens wearers, please be aware of this)
  • Submerged Object Recovery (Goggles NOT Allowed): Swim 5 yards, submerge and retrieve three submerged objects placed 5 yards apart in 4 to 7 feet of water, resurface and continue to swim another 5 yards.

Dates & Times

Summer Session 1: Sunday May 31
10:00 am - 12:30 pm (Pool) Swim Assessment and Pool Waterfront Skills
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm (Musante Beach Waterfront) Beach Waterfront Skills

Summer Session 2: Sunday June 21
10:00 am - 12:30 pm (Pool) Swim Assessment and Pool Waterfront Skills
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm (Musante Beach Waterfront) Beach Waterfront Skills

Fees  

Includes $25 non-refundable pre-course swimming test and all other materials

Waterfront Only - Northampton Residents $125,  Non-Residents $145
(Waterfront participants must provide their own mask & fins if their area does deep water search and rescue)

  • Waterfront is only valid with a current lifeguard certificate.

Pre-registration required, as space is limited and a minimum number is required to run this class

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE AQUATIC REGISTRATION

Facility Locations

POOL: Aquatic & Family Center at JFK Middle School, 100 Bridge Road, Florence, MA 01062
(Enter through back of the building, rear glass doors across from the tennis courts)

BEACH WATERFRONT: David B. Musante Beach: 85 Reservoir Road, Leeds, MA 01053

Once you Register you will receive a receipt document on downloading the New 2024 Lifeguarding Manual and Syllabus for the course

Written Assessment will Cover Parts of Chapter 6 in Lifeguarding Manual
Sections 6-7 & 6-8
Water Rescue Skills Sections 6-28 through 6-33
and Waterfront Skills Video

CLICK HERE FOR THE WATERFRONT RESCUE SKILLS VIDEO

Call the Parks & Recreation Office, 413-587-1040, if you have any questions