Aquatics Training

Massanutten Resort not only provides training in Lifeguarding, CPR, First Aid and Water Safety Instruction but also provides employment opportunities both seasonally and year round. Massanutten Resort employs over 150 aquatic staff as lifeguards or water attendants throughout the year and over 250 seasonally. We offer competitive pay and many other benefits to our employees. For more information you can email employment@massresort.com or apply online at the below link.

View Current Open Positions & Employment Information Here.

Aquatics FAQs

When is the next course?
Please see the Training Info tab on this page.

What if you don't have the class I want right now?
If we do not have a class set up, or a specific class does not meet your schedule, please fill out the class inquiry form. Once a class is set up, we will contact you with the class information, at which time, you may sign up for the class. We can also fax, e-mail or "snail mail" the course syllabus.

Can I get a refund if I fail the pre-course?
The $40 Registration Fee is non-refundable. You may transfer to the next course for no additional charge. You have access to any of the pools while you are training for the pre-course session. The pre-course is part of the lifeguard training class.

Can I get a refund if I fail the course?
No. Having taken the course, you will not receive a refund if you fail the course.

If I take the class, am I automatically hired?
That depends on a couple of different factors.

Your professionalism and performance in the class is a factor.
If you are interesting in becoming a Massanutten lifeguard, please fill out an application on the Massanutten employment page.
Participants taking the class as a "potential employee" are required to fill out the Lifeguard Training Agreement on the first session of class.

What is the starting rate for lifeguards?
The staring rate for lifeguards will be discussed upon hiring.

How long does it take to get certified?
The course requires 33 hours of lecture, video, skills and group discussions. Additional time might be required for Administering Emergency Oxygen and Preventing Disease Transmission.

If I am already certified in CPR, do I have to take it again?
Yes. Knowledge of CPR is an essential part of being a Lifeguard. To receive a Lifeguard certification, the instructor must certify that they have conducted the CPR session with the participant. The new Lifeguard Training R.17 program includes all base-level certifications on one certification card.

What certifications can I get?
American Red Cross has changed the lifeguard training program so that we may be able to customize the lifeguard training program. We teach the Lifeguard Training R.17 with the addition of the Waterpark Skills Module R.17. At the completion of this course you will receive certifications in Lifeguarding/WaterPark/CPR/AED/FA R.17. You will be able to lifeguard at waterparks (that accept American Red Cross) as well as the typical, static, flat-water pools.

How long does the certification last?
The Lifeguarding/Waterpark/CPR/AED/FA R.17 and Administering Emergency Oxygen module are both valid for 2 years.

What do I need to bring with me to the first class?
The first class you will need a swim suit, towels, warm clothes, proof of age, goggles, and writing utensil. You will need a parent or guardian to sign a Release Waiver if you are under 18 years of age.

Is there any additional training to work at the WaterPark?
Yes. If you have just the Lifeguarding/CPR/AED/FA, you will have to go through the WaterPark Skills Module R.17. This will be arranged with the hiring manager/scheduler upon hiring. If you have the current Lifeguarding/WaterPark/CPR/AED/FA R.17 certification, you will need to go through an orientation and shadow shifts at each facility, which is arranged at the hiring interview.

What if I can't make it to one of the classes?
It is a requirement to make it to all classes. If you are sick on a class day, we expect notification of the illness. We will attempt to make the class up in any way possible, but it is first and foremost the participant's responsibility to make it to all sessions in a timely manner. In order to make up a session, you may have to come in an additional day or more to make up the material missed. The final tests may have to be pushed back to the next session, etc.

Training Info

Massanutten Resort offers a variety of American Red Cross Health and Safety Service Certification Courses. All courses are taught by certified American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructors and in accordance with all American Red Cross policies. Courses offered include:

Community Swim Lessons
CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuers R.16 Courses (Full and Recertification)
Lifeguard Training R.17 Courses (Full and Review)
WaterPark Skills Module R.17
Lifeguard Instructor Courses R.17
Water Safety Instructor Courses R.14
Lay Responder First Aid Courses R.16

*All Full Lifeguard Training R.17 Courses are taught with the addition of the WaterPark Skills Module R.12. This will cover all the knowledge and skills that apply to facilities with both flat, static bodies of water, as well as those with fixed or portable water features (i.e. moving water, water slides, wave pool, etc.).

Important Notice: "Recertification" or Review Courses
All "Recertification" Courses are presented as Review Courses. This class will allow you to review video and practice skills before testing. If you are interested in registering for ANY Recertification Course, understand that several of the American Red Cross Courses have been updated to the latest revision. Please review the instructional manual before attending the course. For additional questions, please contact 540.437.3346.

Individuals who have never taken an American Red Cross Lifeguarding course, have taken the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course and are more than 1 month expired, or a taken a Lifeguarding Course by any other agency (YMCA, E&A, StarGuard, etc.) may not enroll in American Red Cross Lifeguard Review Course and must take the Full Lifeguard Training Course. A copy of your previous certification must be presented at the start of the course for the instructor to verify.

Upcoming Lifeguard Courses

There are no up-coming courses at this time. Additional training courses will be offered during the fall season.

CPR Courses

There are no up-coming courses at this time.

Contact Us
Class Inquiry & Registration Form

Registration
The $40 non-refundable registration fee is due at time of registration with the remaining $60 due at the start of the Saturday session each course. This registration fee is required for enrollment and can be paid in person at Massanutten Fitness & Rec Club at 4160 Del Webb Drive, Massanutten, VA 22840. Courses may cancel due to low enrollment; in this case, participants will be moved to another course at no charge. The registration fee will be refunded if there are no other courses available at the time.

Water Safety Instructor Training R.14

This course is offered a couple times per year or as needed. Certifications with WSI will allow individuals to teach swim lessons and community water safety. This course is scheduled for 33 hours which includes a mandatory pre-course session.

Water Safety Instructor has the following prerequisites, which are considered the pre-course:
Must be 16 years or older on or before the final session of this course. Proof of age required. It must be in the form of a Learner's Permit, Drivers License, Military ID or a Birth Certificate. Bring ID with you to the pre-course or first class.

Have successfully completed Fundamentals of Instructor Training
Demonstrate the ability to perform the following swimming skills:
Swim the following strokes consistent with Stroke Performance Charts, Level 4:

Front crawl - 25 yards
Back crawl - 25 yards
Breaststroke - 25 yards
Elementary backstroke - 25 yards
Sidestroke - 25 yards
Butterfly - 15 yards
Maintain position on back for one minute in deep water (floating or sculling).
Tread water for 1 minute.

After completion of the pre-course, certification as a Water Safety instructor depends upon:

Successful completion of the pre-course session.
Attendance and successful participation in all course sessions.
Successful completion of the required number of practice-teaching assignments.
Score at least 80% correctly (correctly answer 40 out of 50 questions) on the final instructor course written exam.

Note: Instructor candidates must also demonstrate throughout the course that they are mature and responsible. Instructor trainers (ITs) assess the candidate's maturity by observing behaviors.

Lifeguard Instructor Training R.17

Massanutten Resort will offer the American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Training R.17 course periodically or on an as needed basis. The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor Course is to train participants to teach the American Red Cross Lifeguarding, Lifeguarding Blended Learning, Aquatic Attraction Lifeguarding, Waterpark Skills, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, Administering Emergency Oxygen, and Bloodborne Pathogens Training courses and/or modules.

Note: To teach Waterfront Skills, Lifeguarding instructor must possess a base-level Waterfront Skills certificate and orient to the corresponding content in the Instructors Manual/DVD/Course Presentation.

The Lifeguard Instructor R.17 Course has the following pre-requisites to ensure minimum age, strength, endurance and knowledge of base-level lifeguard skills:

Be at least 17 years old on or before the last day of the instructor course.
Possess a current American Red Cross certificate for Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certification.

Successfully complete the Online Session for the Lifeguarding Instructor course, which consists of the following:

Orientation to the American Red Cross
Orientation to the Lifeguarding Instructor
Course and Precourse Exam

Successfully complete the Precourse Session
Obtain the Lifeguarding Instructor's Manual and Lifeguarding Manual after you successfully completed the Precourse Session. (Books will be distributed on First day of class after completion of precourse skills.)

Note: Early registration of 7 days required to allow time for enrollment into the SABA Learning Management System. Participants will be contacted once enrolled.

WaterPark Lifeguard Training R.17

The Waterpark Lifeguard Training R.17 Course is designed provide participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatics emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illness until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over. The knowledge and skills covered apply to facilities with both flat, static bodies of water as well as those with fixed or portable water features (i.e. moving water, water slides, wave pool, etc.).

The Waterpark Lifeguard Training R.17 Course has the following pre-requisites to ensure minimum age, physical strength, endurance and stamina:

Must be 15 years or older on or before the final session of this course. Proof of age is required. It must be in the form of a Learner's Permit, Drivers License, Military ID or a Birth Certificate. Bring ID with you to the pre-course or first class.
Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing (swimming with face in-water required). Students may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles MAY be used.
Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Students should place their hands under the armpits.

Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds.

Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are NOT allowed.
Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
Return to the surface and swim 20 yards on the back to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath. Students should not swim the distance under water.
Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.