Vancouver Lifeguard Association

05/17/2026

It’s Safe Boating Awareness Week!

From May 16-22, we’re joining the Canadian Safe Boating Council in reminding everyone to stay safe on the water and make every boating trip a safe one.

This week highlights five key boating safety messages focused on preventing the most common boating-related incidents:

🦺 Wear Your Lifejacket
Over 80% of Canadians who drown while boating were not wearing a lifejacket or were not wearing it properly.

🚫 Boat Sober
Whether it’s prescription drugs, alcohol, or cannabis, operating a vessel while impaired is dangerous and illegal.

🥶 Be Cold Water Safe
Cold water can quickly impair even strong swimmers and significantly reduce the ability to stay afloat following sudden immersion.

⚓ Be Prepared — You and Your Vessel
Ensure your boat is properly equipped, check weather conditions, carry enough fuel, and file a trip plan before heading out.

📚 Take a Boating Course
Operators of powered recreational vessels should carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card or other proof of competency.

Visit https://www.lifesaving.bc.ca/watersmart-education/ for more WaterSmart tips.

Canadian Safe Boating Council Transport Canada Canadian Coast Guard Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue

05/13/2026

Back by popular demand, our beach lifesaving camps have returned for 2026. Registration is open on our website www.vancouverlifeguards.com/beach-alert

05/11/2026

Sign up for the next course starting May 31st. Learn to save a life and be prepared for emergencies this summer out on the lake or at the pool.

Bronze Medallion (BM) teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue education: judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness. BM challenges the candidate both mentally and physically. Judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness – the four components of ...

05/07/2026

Upcoming recert for LSS Swim instructor. Register today!

05/02/2026

We have a shortened Spring session but the same great program. Register today at

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching lifesaving skills and developing lifeguards of the future! From the ground up, we offer grassroots swimming and water safety, all the way up to lifeguard training. It's never too late to learn how to save a life!

03/24/2026

We fully support having lifeguards at all 10 City of Vancouver beaches. It poses serious public safety concerns to reduce this by half.

Over 99% of drowning deaths in BC are at unsupervised locations. Mostly open water (ocean, lake, river) - Lifesaving Society BC & Yukon Branch

Four beaches will no longer have lifeguards on duty. 🏖️

Due to a budget decision by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, Third Beach, Spanish Banks, Sunset Beach, and Trout Lake will not have any lifeguards on duty this Summer. According to the park board, the decision was made to prioritize lifeguards in more popular swimming areas and outdoor pools.

02/13/2026

Full courses and recertification options are available over Spring Break. Register today!

02/10/2026

Dive into lifeguarding! Learn how to save lives, earn high school credit and become fully certified to work as a lifeguard.

02/07/2026

Registration for spring break courses is now open! New Bronze Medallion course is available as well. Get your spot today www.vancouverlifeguards.com

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01/30/2026

New Bronze Medallion course just opened for registration. Course to run February 22 - March 15 1-6 pm on Sundays. Registration: www.vancouverlifeguards.com/bronze-medallion

01/13/2026

Need some one-on-one help with your swimming skills? Private lessons are now available on a limited bases. Learn at your own pace with a custom program to improve a technique or a great way to be introduced to swimming for the first time. Contact us today!
https://www.vancouverlifeguards.com/register