Lifeguard Training

Benefits to Working for the City of Westminster Aquatics Program

• Free Training and Certification (once hired)
• Starting Lifeguard Wage: $15.83/hr 
• Opportunity for Promotion
• Fun and Active Team
• Multiple Locations
• Flexible Hours

CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE

*If the job is posted. If the job is not posted, please contact Aquatics Supervisor Joseph Harris

The City of Westminster prides itself in both the quality of its lifeguards and lifeguard program as well as the continuous training efforts to ensure that aquatic and lifeguard staff have excellent rescue skills, surveillance skills, and are well-equipped to perform all duties as a lifeguard. If you are interested in becoming a lifeguard, please speak with aquatic staff at any of our recreation centers or contact Joseph Harris, Aquatics Supervisor (303-658-2967; jcharris@westminsterco.gov). 

Lifeguard Pre-requisites: Before becoming a lifeguard for the City of Westminster, interested candidates must be competent in water skills. The following list includes minimum pre-requisites for lifeguard applicants:

• Must be 15 years old
• Must be able to pass a water skills competency test
• Swim 100 yards freestyle or breaststroke (continually);
• Retrieve a 10 lb brick out of a 13 foot deep pool;
• Tread water for one minute - legs only (no hands during treading)

The City of Westminster uses the StarGuard ELITE curriculum to train and certify their lifeguards and swim instructors.

There are many reasons that park districts, aquatic facilities, waterparks, and educational institutions are choosing the StarGuard program to train lifeguard staff:

• Experiential approach to learning: Competency is developed through a holistic learning experience in which practical skills are integrated throughout the program. For example, CPR/AED and first aid certifications are integrated into the course.
• Focus on professionalism and accountability: The StarGuard program teaches behaviors and skills to help lifeguards reduce risk and be at their best and ready to take action in the event of an emergency. Infrequent responders must be properly prepared to respond—emotionally and technically.
• Blended training option: The online course covers all the key points of essential knowledge; when paired with a scenario-based, hands-on training session, it creates a competent and confident lifeguard. The efficient use of facility space and instructor time helps reduce training expenses, thus saving time and money. Convenience for the student is also a benefit, since the online portion of the course can be taken at home or while away at school. No longer does everyone have to be in the same place at the same time to receive a consistent level of effective instruction.
• Dedicated support staff: Aquatics is all we do.
• Control cost, time, and administration when you become a training provider.
• Comprehensive risk management system supports the training program if you choose to participate.

Swim Lessons

Swim Lessons

Summer Swim Lessons

Register Online for Swim Lessons
* You can also register at the Swim and Fitness Center (SFC) and City Park Recreation Center (CP)

The City of Westminster offers American Red Cross swimming lessons for children ages 3-12. Where you begin depends on age and experience in the water. For a guide to correctly place your child, see below for detailed descriptions of skills covered and requirements for each class. 

Swim Lessons will be available at the Swim and Fitness Center (SFC) and City Park Recreation Center (CP)

Class Descriptions

Beginning Preschool | Ages 3–5 years

This class requires little to no water experience. Emphasizes safety and focuses on assisted floats, rolls, and gradual submersion. Fun water activities build trust and confidence.

Advanced Preschool | Ages 3–5 years

For students comfortable in the water. Focuses on unassisted floats, rolls, submersion while breathing out nose, and safe entry and exit of the water. Basic motor skills introduced.

Level 1 | Ages 6-12

This class requires little to no water experience and introduces children 12 and under to the water. Class emphasizes safety and focuses on unassisted floats, rolls, and submersion while breathing out nose, as well as safe entry and exit of the water.

Level 2 | Ages 6-12

This class builds on basic motor skills and introduces combined motor skills. Students will learn combined leg and arm movement, treading water, surface water exploration, underwater exploration, and water safety skills.

Level 3 | Ages 6-12

This class focuses on water independence and introduces basic swim strokes. Students will learn correct body position for strokes, intro to freestyle, backstroke, front and back glides, and rhythmic breathing. Completion of Level 3 requires students to do a 25-yard continuous swim without stopping or touching the bottom. 

Level 4 | Ages 6-12

This class introduces students to intermediate swim strokes and requires participants to successfully complete a 25-yard continuous swim without stopping or touching the bottom of the pool. Class content will focus on introducing breaststroke kick and dolphin kick, as well as improving upon freestyle and backstroke technique.

Level 5 | Ages 6-12

This class focuses on refining advanced strokes. Breaststroke and butterfly strokes are introduced. Class content also includes deep water diving skills, block starts, continuous swimming, and treading water with different kicks.

Level 6 | Ages 6-12

Students in this class will focus on continuous swimming and refining competitive swimming skills. Class content will also include flip turns (front and back), block starts (front and back), and water safety rescues. Upon completion, students must complete a 25-yard swim of each stroke (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly) and swim 125 yards of a stroke of their choosing without stopping.

Private Lessons

We are currently re-building our staff and teaching pool of instructors before offering private swim lessons. Please call in or check back with our website to review availability in the future. 

For more information, call: 

City Park: 303-460-9690, ext 1

Swim & Fitness: 303-427-2217

Water Fitness

WATER FITNESS / LAP SWIM 

Benefits

Water Fitness is exercise in water, often referred to as aquacise, that offers a multitude of benefits and options. Water fitness provides buoyancy, taking away most or all impact on your bones, joints and muscles, while the water adds pressure to your body, which comforts joints and internal organs and reduces stress on your heart. This allows you to work harder for longer, burning more fat than you could burn doing many land exercises. Exercises range from basic aerobics to resistance training to kickboxing or even tai chi. Many individuals may benefit from water fitness, including beginners, pregnant women, elderly people, patients recovering from injury and the fittest of athletes

Westy Waves Swim Team

Westy Waves Swim Team

Register for Westy Waves

A Colorado Association of Recreational Athletics (CARA) competitive program for swimmers. All members are required to successfully demonstrate the ability to complete a competitive freestyle stroke for 25 yards on the first day of practice. Age: 6-18

Summer Session

September 9-November 20  |  Mondays/Wednesdays  | 
4:00pm-5:30pm  |  Swim & Fitness Center