National Lifeguard certification is Canada's professional lifeguard standard and is designed for lifesavers who wish to obtain a responsible job and leadership experience. Successful candidates are certified by the Lifesaving Society - Canada's lifeguarding experts.
National Lifeguard - Surf certification is designed to develop the lifeguarding skills, principles and practices, and the decision-making processes that will assist the lifeguard to provide effective safety supervision of surf beach environments. It builds on the fundamental values, judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness developed in the National Lifeguard Waterfront certification.
View test items: NL Surf At-a-glance
Prerequisites: National Lifeguard - Waterfront certification.
Required reference material: Alert: lifeguarding in action.
:::
Instruction and certification: Current National Lifeguard Instructors (who hold National Lifeguard Surf) teach and evaluate most items, but only National Lifeguard Examiners (who hold National Lifeguard Surf) may certify candidates. The Lifesaving Society deems its certifications to be "current" for 24 months from the certification date.
Candidate recognition: National Lifeguard certification card.
National Lifeguard Recertification: To remain “current,” National Lifeguards successfully complete a National Lifeguard recertification exam. The only items evaluated on a National Lifeguard recertification examination are marked with a (†) symbol in the At-a-glance list of test items, on the test sheets and in the National Lifeguard Award Guide.
Check Find a Course for facilities offering National Lifeguard recertification in your area.