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Waterfront Skills Certification - Spring 2026

$100.00

In the US, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages 5-15, and the first leading cause of death for children ages 1-4. In Oregon, drowning rates are nearly twice the national average and almost all drownings occur in natural bodies of water. Gain national level certification in essential skills to be able to provide life saving assistance to someone in the water.

The Red Cross WATERFRONT SKILLS module, integrated into the Lifeguarding course, equips lifeguards with the knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas like parks, resorts, and camps. 

Key Skills and Knowledge:

  • Water Rescue Techniques: Lifeguards learn how to enter the water for rescues, including run-and-swim entries, and techniques for assisting individuals in distress.

  • Search and Retrieval:Learn search patterns and techniques for locating missing persons in open water, potentially using equipment like nets or masks and fins.

  • Equipment: Learn to use equipment specific to waterfront environments, such as rescue tubes, surfboards, or paddleboards, depending on the environment. 

  • First Aid and CPR: The course reinforces first aid and CPR/AED skills, essential for responding to emergencies in and out of the water. 

  • Water Safety: Learn about the specific hazards of open-water environments, such as currents, depths, and aquatic life, and how to mitigate these risks. 

  • Environmental Awareness: Gain knowledge about the specific waterfront environment where they are lifeguarding, including potential hazards and safety protocols. 

Course Structure:

  • This class is taught in a blended learning format and the assigned online portion(s) must be completed prior to the instructor-led session. 

  • The in-person portion is delivered over two weekday evenings (Thursday / Friday) and two full weekend days (Saturday / Sunday).

  • The final skills assessment includes timed response scenarios, surveillance rotations, and multiple-rescuer response scenarios.

Run of the program:

Location: 6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland OR 97219

LIFEGUARDING:

  • Thursday session: 4p - 9p

  • Friday session: 2p - 7p

  • Saturday session: 8a - 6:00p

WATERFRONT SKILLS

  • Sunday session: 9a - 5:00p

Prerequisites: 

  • Open to anyone 15 years and up

    For Waterfront Skills

  • Swim, Tread, Swim : Must be able to jump into the water, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim 350 yards, then tread water using only legs or float for 2 minutes, and then swim 200 more yards.

  • Timed event: Within 1 minute, 40 seconds, must be able to swim 20 yards, surface dive to 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound brick, and return to the starting point holding the brick at the surface.

  • Underwater swim: Must swim 5 yards, submerge, swim underwater and retrieve 3 dive rings with one breath, and continue to swim another 5 yards.

Certification:  Participants who successfully complete this course receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding (including deep water and non surf open water environments) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid valid for 2 years.

Trainers: Marlys Cappaert &  Dena Marshall, WaterStrong

Equipment: Participants should wear comfortable clothing, and bring a notebook, swimwear and towels, water bottle, a light meal/snacks.

WaterStrong is 501c3 non-profit organization with the mission to end drowning and promote cleaner, safer waters, destroying barriers along the way. All proceeds from this training support WaterStrong family programs for low income and underserve families.

Select session:

In the US, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages 5-15, and the first leading cause of death for children ages 1-4. In Oregon, drowning rates are nearly twice the national average and almost all drownings occur in natural bodies of water. Gain national level certification in essential skills to be able to provide life saving assistance to someone in the water.

The Red Cross WATERFRONT SKILLS module, integrated into the Lifeguarding course, equips lifeguards with the knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas like parks, resorts, and camps. 

Key Skills and Knowledge:

  • Water Rescue Techniques: Lifeguards learn how to enter the water for rescues, including run-and-swim entries, and techniques for assisting individuals in distress.

  • Search and Retrieval:Learn search patterns and techniques for locating missing persons in open water, potentially using equipment like nets or masks and fins.

  • Equipment: Learn to use equipment specific to waterfront environments, such as rescue tubes, surfboards, or paddleboards, depending on the environment. 

  • First Aid and CPR: The course reinforces first aid and CPR/AED skills, essential for responding to emergencies in and out of the water. 

  • Water Safety: Learn about the specific hazards of open-water environments, such as currents, depths, and aquatic life, and how to mitigate these risks. 

  • Environmental Awareness: Gain knowledge about the specific waterfront environment where they are lifeguarding, including potential hazards and safety protocols. 

Course Structure:

  • This class is taught in a blended learning format and the assigned online portion(s) must be completed prior to the instructor-led session. 

  • The in-person portion is delivered over two weekday evenings (Thursday / Friday) and two full weekend days (Saturday / Sunday).

  • The final skills assessment includes timed response scenarios, surveillance rotations, and multiple-rescuer response scenarios.

Run of the program:

Location: 6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland OR 97219

LIFEGUARDING:

  • Thursday session: 4p - 9p

  • Friday session: 2p - 7p

  • Saturday session: 8a - 6:00p

WATERFRONT SKILLS

  • Sunday session: 9a - 5:00p

Prerequisites: 

  • Open to anyone 15 years and up

    For Waterfront Skills

  • Swim, Tread, Swim : Must be able to jump into the water, totally submerge, recover to the surface and swim 350 yards, then tread water using only legs or float for 2 minutes, and then swim 200 more yards.

  • Timed event: Within 1 minute, 40 seconds, must be able to swim 20 yards, surface dive to 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound brick, and return to the starting point holding the brick at the surface.

  • Underwater swim: Must swim 5 yards, submerge, swim underwater and retrieve 3 dive rings with one breath, and continue to swim another 5 yards.

Certification:  Participants who successfully complete this course receive an American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding (including deep water and non surf open water environments) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid valid for 2 years.

Trainers: Marlys Cappaert &  Dena Marshall, WaterStrong

Equipment: Participants should wear comfortable clothing, and bring a notebook, swimwear and towels, water bottle, a light meal/snacks.

WaterStrong is 501c3 non-profit organization with the mission to end drowning and promote cleaner, safer waters, destroying barriers along the way. All proceeds from this training support WaterStrong family programs for low income and underserve families.

The Red Cross Waterfront Skills module, integrated into the Lifeguarding course, equips lifeguards with the knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas like parks, resorts, and camps. 

The course is open to anyone 15+, with incentives for WaterStrong volunteers and EcoSwim families. Participants must pass a swim skills test and complete online coursework.

WaterStrong is an Oregon non-profit with the mission to end drowning and promote cleaner, safer waters.  The trainer for this course is Marlys Cappaert, a certified Red Cross LGI and professional Swimtrek guide.

Key Skills and Knowledge:

  • Water Rescue Techniques: Lifeguards learn how to enter the water for rescues, including run-and-swim entries, and techniques for assisting individuals in distress.

  • Search and Retrieval: Learn search patterns and techniques for locating missing persons in open water, potentially using equipment like nets or masks and fins.

  • Equipment: Learn to use equipment specific to waterfront environments, such as rescue tubes, surfboards, or paddleboards, depending on the environment. 

  • First Aid and CPR: The course reinforces first aid and CPR/AED skills, essential for responding to emergencies in and out of the water. 

  • Water Safety: Learn about the specific hazards of open-water environments, such as currents, depths, and aquatic life, and how to mitigate these risks. 

  • Environmental Awareness: Gain knowledge about the specific waterfront environment where they are lifeguarding, including potential hazards and safety protocols. 

Course Structure:

  • This is is a full day class delivered in person at a community center pool and classroom setting. Participants must have a valid Red Cross Lifeguard Certification at the time of course start. 

  • The final skills assessment includes timed response scenarios, surveillance rotations, and multiple-rescuer response scenarios. 

Time: Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 9a-5p

Location: Northeast Community Center, 1630 NE 38th Ave Portland OR 97232


Certification:  American Red Cross certifications valid for 2 years issued on the same day as you successfully complete the class.


Fee: $100


All proceeds supportWaterStrong, a 501c3 non-profit organization.