Water Safety Aide (WSA) Volunteer Training

This is the WSA Course (students ages 12-15), for all interested in volunteering at the Harvard Town Beach, and who are ready to be responsible, safe, professional helpers around the beach, and who want to learn to be a Swimming Lesson instructor and Lifeguard when they become old enough.  

NOTE: Volunteering with the Harvard Town Beach Staff is contingent upon passing the WSA Course AS WELL AS contingent upon demonstrating throughout the WSA Course the level of maturity needed to assist wth swimming lessons. 

Prerequisites:

  • Must have passed all three Level 6s prior to taking the class 
  • Must be 12 years old by July 1, 2016

Logistics - the course will be held at the Harvard Town Beach and the times will be posted on the P&R Calendar

What is the WSA Course?

The WSA Course is the gateway between being a participant of beach programs, and staffing the programs.  It takes students’ knowledge of swimming and water safety and teachings students how to in turn help teach these skills.  This course will additionally teach students teamwork, leadership, professionalism, and responsibility. 

Once this course is passed, students will have the knowledge, skills and experience to assist with lessons and assist in water front emergencies and will have a solid resume building experience for working at any water front in the future.

What Will I Learn?

The WSA Course prepares students to assist in teaching American Red Cross Swimming Lessons, as well as covers vital safety and emergency response information for first aid and common water front emergencies.

Students will become experts in:

  • Mechanics and technique in basic aquatic skills
  • Mechanics and technique in the strokes taught in the Red Cross Swimming Classes
  • How to demonstrate, assist instruction of, and narrate these skills to swimming class participants
  • How to make sure swimming class students are safe, engaged, and learning at their level
  • Safety in water basics
  • Basic water rescues and water emergencies
  • Basic first aid concepts

Students will gain skills in:

  • Leadership, able to lead portions of swimming lesson classes on their own with the supervision of a Water Safety Instructor
  • Working with younger children
  • How to present yourself in a professional manner
  • Policies and protocols common in most work places

Apply (TBD)