Blended Learning LG July 17-19, 2023 at Spring Branch Natatorium Spring Branch Natatorium (View Map)



Lifeguarding Blended Learning Class for New Guards

This class is for those seeking lifeguard certification and  who have never been lifeguard certified by American Red Cross in the past. At the completion of the 8 hour online portion and three day in-person part of this Blended Learning course you will receive American Red Cross certification for Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, Bloodborne Pathogens Training, and First Aid. This class is mandatory for all prospective Sweetwater Pools employees who have never before been Lifeguard Certified by American Red Cross.

If you want to join the Sweetwater Team then just go to the full Sweetwater Pools, Inc. 2023 Pre-Application at the following link: www.tinyurl.com/swppreapp

To apply to work the 2023 Summer Season with Sweetwater Pools, Inc. please text us at 281-988-8480 or go to: tinyurl.com/swppreapp to get started on the application process 

There are three options to pay for this class, two for employees and one for those who are not going to work with Sweetwater Pools, Inc.

For Employees:

1. Employee Deposit (New Guard Class) - this is a $50.00 non-refundable payment* for those that want to complete payment at the class using cash, check, credit card or employee loan form. If you want the employee loan form sent to you electronically please contact me at aquatics@sweetwaterpoolsinc.com or 281-988-8480. The Employee Loan Form allows you to pay for the class over the summer as you work. This payment does go towards paying the whole fee.

2. Employee Rate (New Guard Class) - This is payment in full for the class for our prospective employees. This payment includes a non-refundable $50.00 payment*.

For Non Employees (those that do not plan to work for Sweetwater in 2023):

3. Non Employee Rate (New Guard Class) - This payment is for anyone that wants to get certified and is not working with Sweetwater Pools, Inc. or has not yet decided to work with us. The cost is $259.00 that must be paid online in full. This payment includes a non-refundable $50.00 payment*.

* This fee will be refunded if Sweetwater Pools, Inc. has to cancel or reschedule a class due to a lack of participation. The participant will have the option to switch to a different class or get a full refund in this case.  There is no extra charge to move classes if you let us know at least 48 hours from the start of the class. 

This class is held at:

Spring Branch Natatorium

10404 Tiger Trail

Houston, TX 77043

Dates of Class: July 17-19, 2023

Each Day for Employees 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

For Non-Employees 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Before the first day of class it is required that all participants complete the online Blended Learning portion of the class. On the first day of class the Lifeguard Instructors will check off the questions associated with the videos you will be sent along with information about the class about a week in advance of the first day of class.

Look for an email from Salesforce Automation Account, the Red Cross registration application, that has directions on how to complete the Blended Learning part of the class. This takes about 8 hours so please do not wait till the last minute to complete it. Make sure to screenshot the completion and the CPR Test at the end in case your progress is not saved. To increase the chance of your progress being saved make sure to log out every time you work on the Blended Learning part, do not just close the window to exit.  The Red Cross Learning Center works best on a PC using Chrome or Firefox.

Please use the following link to download the Lifeguarding Manual: (or the one on the Lifeguard Benchmarks sheet)

 Lifeguarding Manual

Please be prepared to complete the Pre-Course Swim Test on the first day. The swim test includes:

• 300 yard continuous swim using any combination of freestyle and/or breaststroke.  The candidate cannot stop on the walls, pull on the rope or float on their back. This swim must be done with some front crawl with rhythmic breathing and breaststroke; backstroke is prohibited by the Red Cross for the purpose of this test.

• Brick retrieval - swim 20 yards, surface dive to the bottom, retrieve a 10 lbs. weight, surface and swim back to your starting point while keeping both hands on the 10 lbs. weight.

• Tread water 2 minutes, no hands, using legs only.

 In the event you do not pass one or more of the parts of the pre-course you may:

1. Attend free pre-course practices that are usually on Friday evenings starting in March until you pass the pre-course; if you pass during one of the practices it counts for the class you are registered for. Certified Lifeguard Instructors will help you at these practices.

2. Try the Shallow (6 Feet and Under) Lifeguarding pre-course which consists of a 100 Swim, 2-minutes tread and a modified brick test in which you have 50 seconds to swim or run 20 yards pick up the brick in 5' -6' of water, get back to the wall. This certification will allow you to guard in most of our pools.

Prospective Sweetwater Pools, Inc. employees only:

1. Please bring any hiring paperwork you have yet to turn in such as applications, uniform orders, etc.

2.  Please bring I-9 verification documents with you on the first day of class. Acceptable documents include a picture ID such as a driver’s license or school ID AND your Social Security Card or Birth Certificate. A valid passport is also acceptable documentation for the I-9 verification. Only original documents will be accepted but please also bring a copy of all documents for Sweetwater Pools, Inc. employee records. Please put these documents into an envelope or Ziploc bag with your name on it. They will be returned to you as soon as the form is completed by SWP instructors.

All prospective lifeguards please take care of all payments on or before the first day of class. If you bring cash, please put it in a plastic bag with your name on it. Employees have the option of filling out a payroll deduction form; please contact the Aquatics Director by phone or email to get a form and fill it out before the first day of class. The form may be turned in on the first day of class. Review the Sweetwater Pools, Inc. course payment and refund policy here.

Each day please bring:

• A swimsuit – Several if you have them

1.    Females should wear one piece suits or two piece guard suits; please do not wear string bikinis.

2.   Males should wear board-short type suits; no Speedos please.

• One or more towels.

• A pen for writing.

• Snacks & drinks.

• A change of clothes, including some warm clothes as the facility and water can be cold at times. Some participants have even brought blankets or jackets to stay warm.

• If a class is outdoors be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and any clothes depending on the weather forecast. Early season classes mean cold water so please bring appropriate clothes to stay warm

There will be a short lunch break around midday and several small breaks throughout the class as the instructors deem necessary.

If you have questions, please contact the office at (281) 988-8480 or reply by sending an email to aquatics@sweetwaterpoolsinc.com.

Thank you,

The Aquatics Department

Sweetwater Pools, Inc.
281-988-8480 phone
281-988-8503 fax
aquatics@sweetwaterpoolsinc.com

 “All you have to do is swim”