Phila Parks & Rec Lifeguard Screening & Swim Skills Training (Northeast)

Fri, 09 Jan, 2026 at 06:30 pm to Fri, 06 Mar, 2026 at 08:30 pm UTC-05:00

Lincoln High School | Philadelphia

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Aquatics
Publisher/HostPhiladelphia Parks & Recreation Aquatics
Phila Parks & Rec Lifeguard Screening & Swim Skills Training (Northeast)
Advertisement
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is offering free swim training and lifeguard certification classes. Sign up today!
About this Event
Event Photos

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation hires hundreds of lifeguards each summer. The starting salary for all Parks & Rec lifeguards is $16.85 per hour. Lifeguards typically work 35 hours per week from June through August.

Book your spot to start training to be a lifeguard with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation!

You must be 15 years or older to attend a lifeguard screening at one of our indoor training pools. You must be 16 years or older to work as a lifeguard for the City of Philadelphia.


Lifeguard Screening

You must be able to complete the following skills to pass the screening:

Prerequisite 1: Complete a swim-tread-swim sequence without stopping to rest:

  • Jump into the water and totally submerge, resurface then swim 150 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both. (Swimming on the back or side is not permitted. Swim goggles are allowed.)
  • Maintain position at the surface of the water for 2 minutes by treading water using only the legs.
  • Swim 50 yards using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both.

Prerequisite 2: Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:

  • Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. (The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.)
  • Surface dive (feet-first or head-first) to a depth of 7 – 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
  • Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point, holding the object at the surface with both hands and keeping the face out at or near the surface.
  • Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

Once you have passed the screening you will be contacted to begin a Lifeguard Certification Class.


Lifeguard Skills Practice

Register for time with our Water Safety Instructors to practice the skills needed to pass the screening test. This is optional and not required to advance in the lifeguard certification process.

Skills practice is free of charge.


Lifeguard Certification Class

Classes are conducted on a rolling basis. After successfully completing your screening we will contact you about the next Lifeguard Certification Class.

Lifeguards ages 16–24 who commit to and work at a Parks & Rec pool:

  • Certification: FREE.
  • Recertification: FREE.

Lifeguards ages 25+ who commit to and work at a Parks & Rec pool:

  • Certification: $110.
  • Recertification: $65.

Lifeguards who will not be working for the City:

  • Certification: $175.
  • Recertification: $110.


Pool Entrance Directions

Lincoln's pool building is the small building at the corner of Rowland Ave and Vista Street. Participants can park in the small lot and enter the building through the doors on the far right.


Reminders

Bring a bathing suit and towel. You may also wear swim goggles.

***If you register for a session and cannot attend, please cancel your registration. This will allow others to use the limited time slots. To cancel your registration, use the registration link.

Screenings and trainings are free of charge. Sign up in advance to secure your spot!

Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Lincoln High School, Rowland Ave and Vista St, Philadelphia, United States

Tickets

USD 0.00

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Philadelphia

Blood Cultures
Fri, 06 Feb Blood Cultures

Johnny Brenda's

Club Risque WINGPOLE 2026 with Alexis Texas!
Fri, 06 Feb at 08:00 am Club Risque WINGPOLE 2026 with Alexis Texas!

1700 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 19148

Ethnography Forum 2026
Fri, 06 Feb at 08:00 am Ethnography Forum 2026

Penn Graduate School of Education

2026 Wharton Tech Conference: Blueprints for Tomorrow
Fri, 06 Feb at 09:00 am 2026 Wharton Tech Conference: Blueprints for Tomorrow

Tangen Hall

45th Mitchell Lecture hosted by Palmer Theological Seminary
Fri, 06 Feb at 10:00 am 45th Mitchell Lecture hosted by Palmer Theological Seminary

Pinn Memorial Baptist Church

Bird Storytime: Nest Detectives
Fri, 06 Feb at 10:30 am Bird Storytime: Nest Detectives

Falls of Schuylkill Library

WXPN Free At Noon with KASHUS CULPEPPER
Fri, 06 Feb at 12:00 pm WXPN Free At Noon with KASHUS CULPEPPER

World Cafe Live Philadelphia

Philadelphia Orchestra Tchaikovsky???s Violin Concerto
Fri, 06 Feb at 02:00 pm Philadelphia Orchestra Tchaikovsky???s Violin Concerto

Marian Anderson Hall - Kimmel Center

Walnut Street Theatre's Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective
Fri, 06 Feb at 02:00 pm Walnut Street Theatre's Sherlock Holmes: The Great Detective

Walnut Street Theatre

The Sex Lives of Puppets at Harold Prince Theatre
Fri, 06 Feb at 02:00 pm The Sex Lives of Puppets at Harold Prince Theatre

Harold Prince Theatre

La Colombe's Public Coffee Workshop (PHL)
Fri, 06 Feb at 03:00 pm La Colombe's Public Coffee Workshop (PHL)

La Colombe Fishtown Cafe

CALLING ALL HEARTS- Community Dance with CUA1
Fri, 06 Feb at 04:00 pm CALLING ALL HEARTS- Community Dance with CUA1

3250 Germantown Ave

Philadelphia is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Philadelphia Events