Lifeguard Course
A page within Rec Sports
Rec Sports Lifeguards
Lifeguard Course
Our American Red Cross Lifeguarding course provides participants the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies in both shallow water (less than 7 feet) and deeper water (7 feet or more) and provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses. Upon completion of this course, participants will receive a certificate for Lifeguarding with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid valid for 2 years.
PREREQUISITES
- Participants must be at least 15 years of age
- Complete the following swim tests
- Swim-tread-swim sequence
- 150 yard surface swim (using front crawl, breaststroke, or combination of both)
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs
- 50 yard swim (using front crawl, breaststroke, or combination of both)
- Complete a timed event within 1 minute 40 seconds
- Swim 20 yards and then surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 to 12 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point holding the object at the surface with both hand exit the water without using a ladder or steps
- Swim-tread-swim sequence
FALL 2025 COURSES
| Certification | Date(s) | Times | Course Format | Registration Deadline |
| Lifeguard Certification | December 5-7 | Dec. 5: 5pm-9pm Dec. 6: 8am-6pm Dec. 7: 8am-6pm |
Blended (Online & In-person) | Friday, November 28 @ 11:59pm |
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Register by clicking here. A minimum of 5 participants is required by the registration deadline to host all classes.
If the registration deadline has passed for the online & classroom courses, email recoffice@uwlax.edu to see if there is space. See below for the online prerequisite.
COURSE FORMAT
All courses are in a blended learning format, which include an online portion, classroom sessions, and in-water skill sessions. The online portion must be completed prior to attending the classroom and water skills portion and must be taken on a PC or tablet with a high-speed Internet connection. Once registered, materials for the online portion will be sent via email from recoffice@uwlax.edu within 1-3 business days. Allow up to approximately 6 hours total to complete the online portion. Both the classroom and in-water skills sessions are held in Mitchell Hall; maximum class capacity is 10 participants.
FEES
Certification
Students/REC Members: $225
UWL Faculty/Staff: $250
Non-UWL: $275
Re-Certification
(Must have a current lifeguard certification or certification expired by no more than 30 days)
Students/REC Members: $90
UWL Faculty/Staff: $100
Non-UWL: $110
Recreational Eagle Center (REC) Hours
Regular Hours
Monday-Thursday: 6am-11pm
Friday: 6am-10pm
Saturday: 8am-10pm
Sunday: 8am-11pm
Facility Schedule
View the facility schedule to see what is going on at the REC.
Contact Us
608.785.5225
recoffice@uwlax.edu
Outdoor Connection (OC) Hours
Regular Hours
Monday-Friday: 12pm-6pm
Saturday: 10am-6pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm
Contact Us
608.785.8860
outdoorcnt@uwlax.edu
Fitness Center Hours
Regular Hours
Monday-Thursday: 6am-11pm
Friday: 6am-10pm
Saturday: 8am-10pm
Sunday: 8am-11pm
Contact Us
608.785.5210
recoffice@uwlax.edu
Climbing Gym Hours
Regular Hours
Monday-Friday: 4pm-9pm
Saturday: 3pm-6pm
Sunday: 5pm-8pm
Bouldering Only
Tuesday & Wednesday: 11:30am-1pm
Contact Us
608.785.5225
recoffice@uwlax.edu
EZONE Esports & Gaming Hours
Regular Hours
Monday-Thursday: 3pm-11pm
Friday: 3-10pm
Saturday: 12pm-10pm
Sunday: 12pm-11pm
Contact Us
608.785.8921
recsportsesports@uwlax.edu
Mitchell Hall Pool Hours
Regular Hours
Monday: 12pm-12:50pm, 8pm-10:30pm
Tuesday: 8pm-10:30pm
Wednesday: 12pm-12:50pm, 8pm-10:30pm
Thursday: 8pm-10:30pm
Friday: 12pm-12:50pm, 8pm-10pm
Saturday: 12pm-3pm
Sunday: 1pm-4pm
The pool will be closed for open swim the following days due to varsity swim meets:
October 25
November 1
November 8
January 31
February 7
Contact Us
608.785.8698
recoffice@uwlax.edu
Hetzel Fieldhouse Hours
Access to the Hetzel Fieldhouse during open rec hours is restricted to those who have a current REC membership (student, faculty/staff, alumni).
Regular Open Rec Hours (Academic year hours for Hetzel Fieldhouse will begin on Sunday, September 7)
Sunday: 6pm-10pm
Monday: 6pm-10pm
Second Floor Track Hours
Managed by the Athletic Department
Monday-Friday: 11am-1pm
Contact Us
608.785.5225
recoffice@uwlax.edu