Mon - Sat: 8:30-18:00
Lifeguard Class in Columbia County Wisconsin
Last updated
Lifeguard Class in Columbia County Wisconsin runs as a blended course, with online coursework followed by in-person water skills sessions.
Lifeguard certification in Columbia County, Wisconsin at a glance
Lifeguard certification in Columbia County, Wisconsin starts at $195.00 and takes Online training runs 7.5 hours, followed by 2 days in person. You must be at least 15 years old and swim 300 yards continuously to qualify.
- Cost
- $195.00 per participant to start, less for groups.
- Course length
- Online training runs 7.5 hours, followed by 2 days in person.
- Minimum age
- You must have turned 15 by the final day of class.
- Swim test
- Swim 300 continuous yards (front crawl and breaststroke), tread 2 minutes using legs only, then retrieve a 10-lb brick from 7 to 10 feet and swim it back inside 1 minute, 40 seconds.
- Certifications
- Lifeguarding, CPR and AED for the Professional Rescuer, and First Aid.
- Valid for
- Certification lasts two years from the issue date; renewal is 10 hours of in-person training.
- Format
- A blended format, with online modules on your schedule and in-person skills work in Columbia County, Wisconsin.
The Lifeguard Class in Columbia County Wisconsin is the same course whether you plan to work at a pool, a camp or a waterfront. Portage accounts for a large share of the guarding work in Columbia County. You pay $195 once, and certification is issued at the end of the course.
Whether the job is seasonal or year round, the certification behind it is the same. You are trained in CPR, AED, First Aid, patron surveillance, emergency response and in water rescue technique. In Columbia County those sites include Silver Lake Beach and Okee Beach.
Classes run regularly, so the wait in Columbia County is usually weeks rather than months. Register online, then bring a swimsuit and a towel to the first session.
Locations for Lifeguard classes in Wisconsin
- Lifeguard classes in Ashland County
- Lifeguard classes in Calumet County
- Lifeguard classes in Chippewa County
- Lifeguard classes in Clark County
- Lifeguard classes in Crawford County
- Lifeguard classes in Dane County
- Lifeguard classes in Langlade County
- Lifeguard classes in Oneida County
- Lifeguard classes in Rock County
- Lifeguard classes in Vilas County
- See all 72 counties in Wisconsin
Training Photo Gallery
How to register for your Columbia County class
Choose your approved provider:
- American Aquatics and Safety Training
Enrolment is open now, and seasonal demand means seats go fast. Reserve early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Two years.
No. In-person skills evaluation is required.
They do. Columbia County employers in Wisconsin recognise these certifications.
Once your digital certification card arrives you can start applying.
Where do lifeguards work in Columbia County?
Public mapping records 4 named aquatic facilities in Columbia County. Among the sites listed there are 2 beaches and open-water sites and 2 public pools and swim clubs. Open water dominates that list: beaches and waterfront sites outnumber pools and aquatic centers among the recorded venues in Columbia County. Waterfront postings normally require a minimum age of 16.
Aquatic facilities in Columbia County
- Silver Lake Beach
- Okee Beach
- Columbus Area Aquatic Center
- Randolph Pool
Listed for orientation only. American Aquatics and Safety Training is not affiliated with, and does not run classes at, the facilities above.
Counties near Columbia County
We cover the adjacent counties shown here too. Because certification is approved in almost every state in the US and CMAHC approved, moving between them does not affect its validity.
Lifeguard class in Columbia County Wisconsin: common questions
Where can I take lifeguard training in Columbia County, Wisconsin?
American Aquatics and Safety Training runs blended lifeguard certification for candidates across Columbia County. The county's largest communities are Portage, Columbus and Lodi, and most candidates travel from those areas for the in-water portion. Coursework is completed online first, then the rescue skills, CPR/AED and First Aid sessions are done in person with an instructor.
How much does lifeguard certification cost in Columbia County?
Full certification costs $195.00, packaging water rescue, CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid. Component renewals are cheaper: $25.00 for standalone CPR/AED, $19.99 for standalone First Aid.
Will I be guarding a pool or open water in Columbia County?
Mostly open water. Beaches and waterfront sites outnumber pools among the recorded venues in Columbia County. Waterfront postings usually set the minimum age at 16. Named sites in Columbia County include Silver Lake Beach, Okee Beach and Columbus Area Aquatic Center. Whether a certification is accepted for waterfront or surf positions depends on the employer and, in some states, on state rules, so check the posting before you apply. Surf beaches often run their own qualifying test.
How old do I need to be to become a lifeguard in Wisconsin?
Age 15 on the last day of class covers most pool jobs, and waterfront or beach positions usually need 16. Employers in Columbia County can impose a higher floor, so look at the posting before you register.
What swim test do I have to pass?
Expect a continuous 300 yard swim, 2 minutes of legs-only treading, and a 10-pound brick recovered from between 7 and 10 feet. It is the first thing that happens in person, so be ready for the water on arrival.
Which communities in Columbia County does training cover?
Candidates commonly travel from Portage (10,126 residents), Columbus (5,448 residents) and Lodi (3,199 residents). Portage is the largest community in the county, and certification is approved in almost every state in the US and CMAHC approved, so it stays valid if you take a job in a neighboring county or another state.
Facility data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
What is lifeguarding like in Columbia County?
About 58,091 people live in Columbia County. That makes it the 26th most populated of the 72 counties in Wisconsin. At 76 people per square mile it is a rural county, where a small number of public pools and open water sites carry the whole season.
Water covers 30 square miles of Columbia County, 3.8% of its area. That ranks it 36th of 72 in the state for water area. With water that limited, almost all guarding here is pool based, which is the setting the standard certification covers.
Most hiring in the county clusters around Portage (10,126), Columbus (5,448), Lodi (3,199), Wisconsin Dells (2,778). Facilities in the larger of these usually recruit earliest, often before the season starts.
Aquatic sites recorded in Columbia County
- Beaches and waterfront: Silver Lake Beach, Okee Beach
- Pools: Columbus Area Aquatic Center, Randolph Pool
Candidates in Columbia County often travel for a class date that fits. The nearest county pages are Dane County, Dodge County, Green Lake County, Juneau County.
Price, entry requirements and format are county independent and live here: certification details, who pays for a class, refunds and rescheduling, and every area covered.
What students say
4.8 out of 5 ★★★★½ from 336 verified students who completed a course with us.
- ★★★★★
Easy to remember and prepares well!
Neha R., July 2021 - ★★★★★
Great course, preparation, and organization.
Michael P., July 2021 - ★★★★★
Online videos helped a lot beforehand, thanks!!
Sofia M., July 2021 - ★★★★★
Glad I took it
Jared P., July 2021 - ★★★★★
Great course
Nia E., July 2021 - ★★★★★
Would recommend
Caraline S., July 2021
What pools, beaches and aquatic facilities are in Columbia County Wisconsin?
4 aquatic facilities are on record in Columbia County Wisconsin:
- Silver Lake Beach (beach)
- Okee Beach (beach)
- Columbus Area Aquatic Center (pool)
- Randolph Pool (pool)
Facilities are listed to show the kind of aquatic sites operating locally. Listing does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement by, the operator.
Reviewed by Jackie Stern, Lifeguard Instructor, Firefighter and EMT. Jackie Stern has taught lifeguarding for more than 20 years and works as a firefighter, EMT and swim instructor. She reviews course content, prerequisites and rescue standards against current certification requirements.
About Us
We are a nonprofit that trains and certifies in Lifeguarding, Waterfront Lifeguarding, Junior Lifeguarding, Shallow Pool Lifeguarding, Sexual Harassment Training, CPR/AED, CPR for Lifeguards, First Aid Emergency Oxygen, and swimming lessons.
© Copyright American Aquatics and Safety Training. All Rights Reserved