Lifeguard Readiness Program and Lifeguard Training Classes

The Lifeguard Readiness Program and Lifeguard Training Classes include a Lifeguard Readiness Program and Lifeguard Training & Classes that focus on learning the basic skills and training to become a lifeguard for the American Red Cross. Activities include swimming 300 yards continuously while demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing, treading water for 2 minutes using only the legs, and completing a timed event within 1 minute and 40 seconds. The lifeguard training classes are blended learning lifeguard courses that require access to the internet to complete online portions of the course, and all online portions are required to be completed by the first day of class.

• Ages: 12–18 years old
• Schedule: Lifeguard Readiness Program sessions are offered on weekday evenings on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Price: $24 for Residents; $30 for Non-Residents

The Lifeguard Readiness Program is open to ages 12 years and older, and participants in the lifeguard training classes must be 15 years of age on or before the last scheduled session of the lifeguard training course. A prerequisite for lifeguard training is that participants must attend every day of the registered class. Memorial Aquatic Center is used for registration and more information for lifeguard training classes.

The Lifeguard Readiness Program is part of the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department. The department’s mission is to provide indoor and outdoor leisure services to persons of all ages so they can develop skills, socialize, experience nature, relax, and live a healthier lifestyle. The Parks and Recreation Department has been nationally accredited since 2018 through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), placing it in the 1 percent of agencies nationwide and making it the 15th agency in Texas to be nationally accredited. The leadership team includes Director Pablo Caballero, Assistant Director Emigdio Gonzalez, Admin. Services Manager Claudia Cisneros, Recreation Manager Carlos Rodriguez, Media Specialist Raul Diaz, Parks Planning & Development Manager Karla Chavez, Strategic Initiatives Manager Diana Cepeda, Recreation Program Manager, Senior Division Enrique Valadez, Recreation Programs Manager, Aquatics Division Brenda Romero, and Recreation Programs Manager, Sports Division Monica Vargas. The Board of Parks and Recreation acts as an advisory committee to the Mayor and City Council in efforts to promote close cooperation between the City and private citizens, institutions, and agencies interested in the establishment and development of parks and recreation activities.

Last updated January 29, 2026.