There has been a recent shortage of lifeguards and water safety instructors in Broward County. To help with the shortage and promote water safety, the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, Water SMART Broward, and the Children’s Services Council of Broward County have founded and sponsored the Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor Scholarship program.
This scholarship helps cover the cost for Broward County residents ages 15 and older to become a certified lifeguard and/or water safety instructor. After applying and once approved, the scholarship will be valid only at the participating licensed training providers.
Why Become a Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor?
- An opportunity to learn the importance of water safety.
- Earn certification for rewarding career/job opportunities.
- Become equipped with the skills and knowledge to save lives.
- Educate parents and children on basic water safety practices.
- Gain experience for future job opportunities.
- Help the community gain water competency through basic safety, survival, and swimming skills.
Eligibility and How to Apply
Lifeguard Prerequisites:
- Minimum age: 15 years
- Continuously swim 150 yards
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs
- Continuously swim for an additional 50 yards
- Complete a timed event in the water within 1 minute 40 seconds
- Swim 20 yards and surface dive to a depth of 7 to 12 feet and retrieve a 10-pound object and return it to surface
- Swim 20 yards on your back and return to the starting point
- Place the object on the side of the pool and then exit the water without using steps or a ladder
Water Safety Instructor Prerequisites:
- Minimum age: 15 years
- Swim at Level 4 ability or higher
- Be able to swim all strokes outlined below:
- Front Crawl- 25 yards
- Back Crawl- 25 yards
- Breaststroke- 25 yards
- Elementary Backstroke- 25 yards
- Sidestroke- 25 yards
- Butterfly- 15 yards
- Maintain position on back for 1 minute in deep water (floating or sculling)
- Tread water for 1 minute
Licensed Training Providers Accepting the Scholarship:
If you are licensed training provider and are interested in partnering with us to accept this scholarship at your location(s), click here to apply and for a list of instructions.
Cooper City Pool and
Tennis Center
11600 Stonebridge Pkwy.
Hollywood, FL 33026
Main Office:
802-681-6875
Plantation JCC-Superior
Aquatic Training
6501 West Sunrise Blvd.
Plantation, FL 33313
Main Office:
954-232-8691
Sunrise Aquatic Center-Superior
Aquatic Training
10610 West Oakland Park Blvd.
Sunrise, FL 33351
Main Office:
954-232-8691
Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County
Carver Ranches
2205 SW 44th Ave.
West Park, FL 33023
Main Office:
954-967-8787
Pembroke Pines YMCA
Aquatic Center
1361 NW 129th Ave.
Pembroke Pines, FL 33028
Main Office:
954-447-7645
L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell
Community Center
1409 NW 6th St.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
Main Office
954-315-0116
Tigertail Lake Recreational Center
at Broward College
580 Gulf Stream Way
Dania Beach, FL 33304
Main Office:
954-201-4500
Boys & Girls Clubs of
Broward County North Lauderdale
7201 Kimberly Blvd.
N. Lauderdale, FL 33068
Main Office:
954-967-8787
Aqualytics LLC – Caporella
Aquatic Center
9300 NW 58th St.
Tamarac, FL 33321
Main Office:
954-562-2064
Aqualytics LLC –
Lauderdale Yatch Club
1725 SE 12th St.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Main Office:
954-562-2064
David’s
Swim School
744 Riverside Dr.
Coral Springs, FL 33071
Main Office: (English)
954-688-6933
Main Office: (Spanish)
954-603-2422