Lifeguard Readiness Program
William W. Cowan Aquatic Center, 8100 Independence Dr, El Paso, TX 79907
About
The Lifeguard Readiness Program introduces participants to lifeguard training through lifeguard classes and related swimming programs and activities. The program includes learning the basic skills and training to become a lifeguard for the American Red Cross. The City of El Paso Parks & Recreation is offering these lifeguard classes as blended learning lifeguard courses, which 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: Options available on Monday and Wednesday evenings or Tuesday and Thursday evenings
• Price: $24 for Residents; $30 for Non-Residents
Prerequisites for lifeguard training and classes 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. Participants must be 15 years of age on or before the last scheduled session of the course, must attend every day of the registered class, and must have access to the internet to complete required online portions by the first day of class.
The Parks and Recreation Department's mission is to provide indoor and outdoor leisure services to the El Paso community to develop skills, socialize, experience nature and live a healthier lifestyle. The department is nationally accredited through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies and the National Recreation and Park Association, placing it in the 1 percent of agencies nationwide and making it the 15th agency in the state to be nationally accredited, with accreditation held since 2018. 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.
Last updated January 29, 2026.
• Ages: 12–18 years old
• Schedule: Options available on Monday and Wednesday evenings or Tuesday and Thursday evenings
• Price: $24 for Residents; $30 for Non-Residents
Prerequisites for lifeguard training and classes 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. Participants must be 15 years of age on or before the last scheduled session of the course, must attend every day of the registered class, and must have access to the internet to complete required online portions by the first day of class.
The Parks and Recreation Department's mission is to provide indoor and outdoor leisure services to the El Paso community to develop skills, socialize, experience nature and live a healthier lifestyle. The department is nationally accredited through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies and the National Recreation and Park Association, placing it in the 1 percent of agencies nationwide and making it the 15th agency in the state to be nationally accredited, with accreditation held since 2018. 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.
Last updated January 29, 2026.
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