![Riverside swimming pool](https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/media/oj2jegxw/riverside-swimming-pool.png?width=484&height=340&rnd=133032264041470000)
Lifeguard courses
Gain a National Pool Lifeguard Qualification at Riverside Leisure Centre and South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre.
![Man wearing lifeguard t-shirt sitting by pool, blowing a whistle](https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/media/15wpr1kr/lifeguard.png?rmode=max&width=1000&rnd=133237818507930000)
The National Pool Lifeguard course (NPLQ) offered by the Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS) is suitable if you are aged 16 and over and would like to gain a qualification in order to work as a lifeguard.
To complete the course and become a lifeguard, you must be able to:
- jump or dive into deep water
- swim 50m in less than 60 seconds
- swim 100m continuously on front and back in deep water
- tread water for 30 seconds
- surface dive to the floor of the pool
- climb out unaided without ladder/steps and where the pool design permits
The week-long course will have both practical and theoretical elements.
At Riverside Leisure Centre we are also offering the Emergency First Aid at Work course (EFAW), also by the RLSS, with some National Pool Lifeguard courses.
Riverside Leisure Centre
Dates
- Sunday 28 July to Friday 2 August 2024
- Sunday 11 to Friday 16 August 2024
- Tuesday 22 to Sunday 27 October 2024
Prices
- £320
South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre (SWFLC)
Dates
- Sunday 21 to Friday 26 July 2024
Prices
- £300
For a course at Riverside, please email Julia.Freeman@chelmsford.gov.uk.
For a course at SWFLC, please email Sonny.Bent@chelmsford.gov.uk.
You can find out more about the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification.
You can find out if there are currently any lifeguard vacancies at Riverside or South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre.
Lockers and changing rooms
- If you want to use a locker, you will need a £1 coin to release the key. You will get the £1 back when you return the key.
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There are individual changing cubicles as well as group female and group male changing areas available.
In this section
Step into summer
Take advantage of your free trial and take your first step on your summer fitness journey.
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Summer fun for everyone!
Great value holiday camps and courses for kids of all ages! Plus, Early bird and sibling discounts available.
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Get active around Chelmsford
From Heart and Sole walks to Forever Fit and Play in the Park, discover sport and activity all over Chelmsford.
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Upgrade and save
Get a Plus account and save on a range of activities for just £15 per year.
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Join OurTeam
Interested in a career in leisure? Apply for one of our diverse opportunities across all four centres.
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