---
title: North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission
url: https://www.nvrc.ca/
hostname: nvrc.ca
sitename: North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission
date: 2026-01-01
---
NVRC offers all the courses you need to qualify to teach swimming and be a lifeguard. Both swim instruction and lifeguarding certifications are needed in order to be employed at our pools. All courses require 100% attendance. Withdrawals must be made at least eight days before the start of a course to receive a full refund. Many of these courses require re-certification - please see certification chart below.

## Please take the following courses in order:

### Lifesaving certifications

**Bronze Star***(optional)*- pre-requisite: 12 years of age**Bronze Medallion**- pre-requisite: 13 years of age or Bronze Star**Bronze Cross**(includes CPR-C) - pre-requisite: Bronze Medallion

### Lifeguard certifications

**Standard First Aid**- includes CPR-C - pre-requisite: 15 years of age**National Lifeguard Pool Option**- pre-requisite: 15 years of age, Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid

### Instructor certifications

**Lifesaving Instructor**- pre-requisite: 16 years of age, Bronze Cross**Swim Instructor**- pre-requisite: 15 years of age, Bronze Cross

NVRC offers Swim Instructor and Lifesaving Instructor together as one course - click the 'Register online' button below to see what courses are currently being offered.

**Please note: **We only accept Standard First Aid and CPR-C certifications from the following providers:

- Lifesaving society
- St-Johns Ambulance
- Canadian Red Cross
- Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation
- Canadian Ski Patrol

### Once you've completed the above certifications, you can [apply online](https://www.nvrc.ca/about-us/employment-volunteering/employment) to work with us!

To find out more about becoming a lifeguard or swim instructor, talk to the aquatic staff at one of our pools or email us at [swim@nvrc.ca](mailto:swim@nvrc.ca).