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
Scholarship Application Form
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
Plantation JCC-Superior Aquatic Training
Sunrise Aquatic Center-Superior Aquatic Training
Peter Blum YMCA-Superior Aquatic Training
Thomas Sasso Pool-Superior Aquatic Training
Pompano Aquatic Center-Superior Aquatic Training
Pembroke Pines YMCA Aquatic Center
L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center