Aquatics Training

Aquatics FAQs

When is the next course?
Please see the Training Info tab on this page.

What if you don't have the class I want right now?
If we do not have a class set up, or a specific class does not meet your schedule, please fill out the class inquiry form. Once a class is set up, we will contact you with the class information, at which time, you may sign up for the class. We can also fax, e-mail or "snail mail" the course syllabus.

Can I get a refund if I fail the pre-course?
The $50 Registration Fee is non-refundable. You may transfer to the next course for no additional charge. You have access to any of the pools while you are training for the pre-course session. The pre-course is part of the lifeguard training class.

Can I get a refund if I fail the course?
No. Having taken the course, you will not receive a refund if you fail the course.

If I take the class, am I automatically hired?
That depends on a couple of different factors.

• Your professionalism and performance in the class is a factor.
• Participants taking the class as a "potential employee" are required to fill out the Lifeguard Training Agreement on the first session of class.
• If you are interested in becoming a Massanutten lifeguard, please fill out an application on the Massanutten employment page. Please apply prior to the first session of class.

What is the starting rate for lifeguards?
The starting rate for lifeguards will be discussed upon hiring. Starting rates are dependent on the level of lifeguard certification achieved.

How long does it take to get certified?
Course length varies depending on the course you are taking.

If I am already certified in CPR, do I have to take it again?
Yes. Knowledge of CPR is an essential part of being a Lifeguard. To receive a Lifeguard certification, the instructor must certify that they have conducted the CPR session with the participant.

What certifications can I get?
“The American Red Cross has changed the lifeguard program so that we are able to customize the courses to better suit community needs. We currently teach the Lifeguard, Shallow Water Lifeguard, and Aquatic Attraction Lifeguard courses. Each of these courses also include certifications in CPR, AED, and First Aid. We also offer the Waterpark Skills & Administering Emergency Oxygen modules.

How long does the certification last?
The Lifeguarding/Waterpark/CPR/AED/FA and Administering Emergency Oxygen module are both valid for 2 years.

What do I need to bring with me to the first class?
For the first class you will need a swim suit, towels, warm clothes, proof of age, goggles, and writing utensil. You will need a parent or guardian to sign a Release Waiver if you are under 18 years of age.

Is there any additional training to work at Massanutten as a lifeguard?
Yes. If you have just the Lifeguarding or Shallow Water Lifeguarding certification, you will have to go through the Waterpark Skills & Administering Emergency Oxygen modules. If you possess an certification for the Aquatic Attraction Lifeguard, you will only need to take the Administering Emergency Oxygen module.

What if I can't make it to one of the classes?
Participants are required to attend all classes per the American Red Cross. If you are sick on a class day, we expect notification of the illness. We will attempt to make the class up in any way possible, but it is first and foremost the participant's responsibility to make it to all sessions in a timely manner. In order to make up a session, you may have to come in an additional day or more to make up the material missed. The final tests may have to be pushed back to the next session, etc. If all other routes fail, we can also move you to another class when available.

Training Info

Massanutten Resort offers a variety of American Red Cross Health and Safety Service Certification Courses. All courses are taught by certified American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors and in accordance with all American Red Cross policies. Courses offered include:

• CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer (Full & Review)
• Aquatic Attraction Lifeguard Training Courses (Full & Review)
• Shallow Water Lifeguard Training Courses (Full & Review)
• LGI (Full & Review)
• Administering Emergency Oxygen Module

All Lifeguarding & Shallow Water Lifeguarding courses are taught with the option to add the Waterpark Skills and/or the Administering Emergency Oxygen Modules.

Important Notice: "Recertification" or Review Courses
All "Recertification" Courses are presented as Review Courses. This class will allow you to review video and practice skills before testing. If you are interested in registering for ANY Recertification Course, understand that several of the American Red Cross Courses have been updated to the latest revision. Please review the instructional manual before attending the course. For additional questions, please contact 540.437.3346.

Individuals who have never taken an American Red Cross Lifeguarding course, have taken the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course and are more than 1 month expired, or a taken a Lifeguarding Course by any other agency (YMCA, E&A, StarGuard, etc.) may not enroll in American Red Cross Lifeguard Review Course and must take the Full Lifeguard Training Course. A copy of your previous certification must be presented at the start of the course for the instructor to verify.

Upcoming Lifeguard Courses

Lifeguard Training 5Course
Sign up to participate in this blended learning format lifeguard training course. A certificate of completion for the online content will be required by the first in-person session. All scheduled sessions will be instructor led. All participants must be 15 years of age by the completion of the course.

• Monday, May 19 | 8:30 am - 6:00 pm | At Mountain Peak Pool
• Tuesday, May 20 | 8:30 am - 6:00 pm | At Mountain Peak Pool
• Wednesday, May 21 | 8:30 am - 6:00 pm | At Mountain Peak Pool
• Thursday, May 22 | 8:30 am - 1:30 pm | At Massanutten WaterPark

Book This Course Online

Lifeguard Training 7 Course
Sign up to participate in this blended learning format lifeguard training course. A certificate of completion for the online content will be required by the first in-person session. All scheduled sessions will be instructor led. All participants must be 15 years of age by the completion of the course.

• Monday, June 16, 2025 | 8:30 am – 6:00 pm | At Massanutten Fitness & Rec Club
• Tuesday, June 17, 2025 | 8:30 am - 6:00 pm | At Massanutten Fitness & Rec Club
• Wednesday, June 18, 2025 | 8:30 am - 6:00 pm | At Massanutten Fitness & Rec Club
• Tuesday, June 19, 2025 | 8:30 am - 1:30 pm | At Massanutten WaterPark

Book This Course Online

Lifeguard Training 8 Course
Sign up to participate in this blended learning format lifeguard training course. A certificate of completion for the online content will be required by the first in-person session. All scheduled sessions will be instructor led. All participants must be 15 years of age by the completion of the course.

• Monday, June 23, 2025 | 8:30 am – 6:00 pm | At Massanutten Fitness & Rec Club
• Tuesday, June 24, 2025 | 8:30 am - 6:00 pm | At Massanutten Fitness & Rec Club
• Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | 8:30 am - 6:00 pm | At Massanutten Fitness & Rec Club
• Tuesday, June 26, 2025 | 8:30 am - 1:30 pm | At Massanutten WaterPark

Book This Course Online

CPR Courses

There are no up-coming courses at this time.

Contact Us
Class Inquiry & Registration Form

Registration
The $50 non-refundable registration fee is due at time of registration with the remaining balance due at the start of the Saturday session each course. This registration fee is required for enrollment and can be paid in person at Massanutten Fitness & Rec Club at 4160 Del Webb Drive, Massanutten, VA 22840. Courses may cancel due to low enrollment; in this case, participants will be moved to another course at no charge. The registration fee will be refunded if there are no other courses available at the time.

Water Safety Instructor Training

This course is offered a couple times per year or as needed. Certifications with WSI will allow individuals to teach swim lessons and community water safety. This course is scheduled for 33 hours which includes a mandatory pre-course session.

Water Safety Instructor has the following prerequisites, which are considered the pre-course:
Must be 16 years or older on or before the final session of this course. Proof of age required. It must be in the form of a Learner's Permit, Drivers License, Military ID or a Birth Certificate. Bring ID with you to the pre-course or first class.

Demonstrate the ability to perform the following swimming skills to the American Red Cross Performance requirements:

• 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 one minute in deep water (floating or sculling).
• Tread water for 1 minute.

After completion of the pre-course, certification as a Water Safety instructor depends upon:

• Attendance and successful participation in all course sessions.
• Successful completion of the required number of practice-teaching assignments.
• Score at least 80% on the final instructor course written exam.

Note: Instructor candidates must also demonstrate throughout the course that they are mature and responsible. Instructor trainers (ITs) assess the candidate's maturity by observing behaviors.

For more information, contact 540.437.3346.

Lifeguard Instructor Training

Massanutten Resort will offer the American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Training course periodically or on an as needed basis. The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Course is to train participants to teach the American Red Cross Lifeguarding, Lifeguarding Blended Learning, Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding, Shallow Water Lifeguarding, Waterpark Skills, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, Administering Emergency Oxygen, and Bloodborne Pathogens Training courses and/or modules.

Note: To teach Waterfront Skills, Lifeguarding instructor must possess a base-level Waterfront Skills certificate and orient to the corresponding content in the Instructors Manual/DVD/Course Presentation.

The Lifeguard Instructor Course has the following pre-requisites to ensure minimum age, strength, endurance and knowledge of base-level lifeguard skills:

• Be at least 17 years old on or before the last day of the instructor course.
• Possess a current American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certification.

Successfully complete the Online Session for the Lifeguarding Instructor course, which consists of the following:

1. Orientation to the American Red Cross
2. Orientation to the Lifeguarding Instructor
3. Course and Precourse Exam

• Successfully complete the Precourse Session
• Obtain the Lifeguarding Instructor's Manual and Lifeguarding Manual after you successfully completed the Precourse Session. (Books will be distributed on First day of class after completion of precourse skills.)

Note: Early registration of 7 days required to allow time for enrollment into the Red Cross Learning Center. Participants will be contacted once enrolled.

WaterPark Lifeguard Training

The Waterpark Lifeguard Training Course is designed provide participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatics emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illness until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over. The knowledge and skills covered apply to facilities with both flat, static bodies of water as well as those with fixed or portable water features (i.e. moving water, water slides, wave pool, etc.).

The Waterpark Lifeguard Training Course has the following pre-requisites to ensure minimum age, physical strength, endurance and stamina:

• Must be 15 years or older on or before the final session of this course. Proof of age is required. It must be in the form of a Learner's Permit, Drivers License, Military ID or a Birth Certificate. Bring ID with you to the pre-course or first class.