Lifeguard Full Blended Learning April 11-12, 2026 (Katy Area)

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 two 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.

The Employee Rate is for Employees ONLY:

This class is $210 for all who turn in applications BEFORE the class begins. A valid credit card on file is required to take the course at this price; this card will be charged $275 if the individual registers as an employee, then does not work with Sweetwater Pools, Inc.

The Non-Employee Rate is $275. 

To fill out a pre-application for employment please click here

Class Payment options For Employees:

1. Prospective Employee Deposit - This is a $50 non-refundable payment. This payment does go towards the total rate of the class. You will pay $50 when registering for the class and then sign a Payroll Deduction Form at the class to take the remaining amount ($160) out of your paychecks over the course of the summer season. (A credit card needs to be put on file for this form of payment) **If you cannot pay the $50 deposit please call the office to work out an alternative payment plan**

    

2. Prospective Employee Full Rate - This is a full payment of $210 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 2026): 

1.  Non-Employee Full Rate - 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 $275.00 that is paid in full when registering for the class online. This payment includes a non-refundable $50 deposit. If you decide to work with Sweetwater Pools Inc, you will be refunded the difference of the Employee Rate vs Non-Employee rate upon completion of working at least one shift with us. 

**The Non-Refundable Deposit  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. 

Before the first day of class it is required that all participants complete the online Blended Learning portion of the 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 of your American Red Cross account every time you work on the Blended Learning part, do not just close the browser window to exit. The Red Cross Learning Center works best on a PC using Chrome or Firefox.

On the Day of Class:

Sweetwater Pools employees (and those who have applied to work for Sweetwater Pools) please be prepared to complete your I-9 paperwork when you arrive. Here is a link of acceptable documents you will need to bring.

Only original documents will be accepted. 

Please make sure these documents are kept safe and secure. They will be returned to you once the instructors have completed the form. 

Before the class it is strongly suggested that students who have not swum in a while or are weaker swimmers take some time to get some practice in. During the spring and summer there will be free practices before some of the classes to prepare for the pre-course test.

The Swim Test includes:

• Prerequisite #1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest- First jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or combination of both (backstroke and sidestroke are not permitted). Goggles are allowed. Next, maintain a position at the surface of the water for two minutes by treading water using only the legs. Lastly, swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. 

• Prerequisite #2: 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 within one minute and forty seconds. Goggles are not permitted.

 In the event you do not pass one or more of the parts of the pre-course you may try the Shallow (6 Feet and Under) Lifeguarding pre-course. It consists of a 100 yd 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. However, please ask the office what the closest shallow water location to you before choosing this option. 

Please Bring:

1. A swimsuit – Several if you have them

   Females should only wear one-piece suits or two-piece lifeguarding suits.

   Males wear board shorts, no Speedos please.

2. Pocket Mask (Available for sale for $15.00)
3. One or more towels.
4. A pen for writing.
5. Snacks & drinks.
6. 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.
7. 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. Students are allowed to leave the facility for lunch if they choose to do so or may bring their own. The lunch break will be approximately one hour. Lunch is not provided

If you have questions, please contact the office at (281) 988-8480 or reply by sending an email to [email protected]

Thank you,

Aquatics Department

Sweetwater Pools, Inc.
281-988-8480 phone
281-988-8503 fax