The County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks and Recreation is offering a lifeguard certification course at NAS Swimming Pool in Hilo in January 2026.

The American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification course, which includes deep water training, will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the following Fridays: Jan. 2, Jan. 9, Jan. 16 and Jan. 23.

The certification course is open to participants who will be 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the lifeguarding course.

To be considered candidates for certification, participants must pass two prerequisite swimming skills evaluations, which will be conducted at NAS Swimming pool from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 29.

The course costs $123, and payment must be made in cash in the exact amount. Payment can be made at the evaluation. Please contact NAS Swimming Pool at 808-961-8697 to learn more and to register.

Participants should bring to each class: CPR masks for adults and infants, a bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, water and snacks, and the Lifeguarding Participant’s manual.

A free e-book version of the Lifeguarding Participant’s manual, along with information about course pre-requisites, can be accessed on the Department of Parks and Recreation Aquatics Section webpage: https://www.parks.hawaiicounty.gov/divisions/recreation/aquatics.