Hiring a Private Lifeguard or Swim Instructor This Summer?
- Kelly MacDonald
- Jun 4
- 8 min read
Here’s What Parents Should Know Before Signing the Contract
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Introduction to Private Lifeguards and Swim Instructors
Summer pool parties are some of the best childhood memories. Backyard barbecues, cousins splashing for hours, birthday parties that end with popsicles and tired kids wrapped in towels - there’s something special about gathering around the pool in warm weather until the sun goes down.
But alongside the fun comes an important responsibility: water safety.
As soon as the weather starts warming up, social media fills with posts from parents looking for lifeguards and swim instructors for parties, lessons, and events. While it’s wonderful that more families are prioritizing supervision and swim education, many parents don’t actually know what qualifications they should be looking for when hiring someone to work around their children and guests.
The truth is that not all swim instructors and lifeguards are created equal, and hiring the cheapest or first available option can sometimes come with risks that families don’t realize until it’s too late.
If you’re planning pool parties, swimming lessons, or regular backyard gatherings this summer, here are the most important things to look for before bringing someone onto your property to watch the pool.
1. Insurance Matters
One of the first questions parents should ask is: “Are you insured?”
It may feel awkward to ask, but it’s one of the most important questions you can ask any professional working around your family or at your home.
There are many freelance swim instructors and lifeguards in Ontario who operate independently during the summer months. These may be municipal lifeguards looking to make use of their credentials for some extra money or university swimmers home for the summer holidays looking to cash-in on their experience as a swimmer. While there are many talented and responsible people offering services privately, not everyone carries business insurance.
Why?
Because insurance for aquatic professionals is expensive and not everyone qualifies. Private swim instruction and lifeguarding are considered "extremely high risk" in the insurance world, and premiums can be quite high for those who are able to qualify for coverage. For freelancers, a lot of their income would go towards paying for this premium along with various licenses, qualifications, equipment and so on.
Injuries, accidents, or emergencies can happen in any aquatic setting, including backyard pools, even under professional supervision. Without proper insurance coverage, liability can quickly become very complicated.
Hiring an insured instructor or lifeguard helps protect:
Your family,
Your guests,
Your property, and
The professional you are hiring.
It also provides an added layer of credibility.
Many insurance companies require aquatic professionals to submit proof of certifications, training, and experience before offering coverage. While insurance alone doesn’t guarantee quality, it often means the person has already undergone some level of professional vetting.
What to Ask
You do not need to be confrontational or formal. A couple simple questions work well:
“Do you carry liability insurance for your services?”
“Are you insured to teach or lifeguard at private pools?”
Professional instructors and lifeguards should be happy to answer these questions and provide the necessary documentation. Remember, lifeguards have worked hard for their professional designation and should be happy to show it off!
2. Certifications: What Parents Should Look For
Many parents assume that anyone offering swimming lessons or lifeguarding services must automatically be qualified.
Unfortunately, that’s not always true.
Some individuals advertise services based solely on being “good swimmers” or having informal experience around pools. Being comfortable in the water is very different from being trained to prevent emergencies, respond to emergencies, or teach swimming safely.
When hiring someone for your pool, certifications matter.
Minimum Certifications for Lifeguards
If someone is supervising swimmers at your event or party, they should hold:
National Lifeguard certification
Standard First Aid + CPR-C certification (*soon to be called Intermediate First Aid)
These certifications help ensure the individual has training in:
Aquatic surveillance and emergency prevention,
In-water rescues,
CPR and first aid, and
Managing aquatic emergencies.
In Canada, the most recognized lifeguarding certification is the Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard award.
Why National Lifeguard Is Important
National Lifeguard training is specifically designed for aquatic environments and breaks down into four distinct categories: National Lifeguard Pool, Waterpark, Waterfront and Surf. It teaches guards how to identify risks before emergencies happen and how to respond effectively if something goes wrong.
That professional distinction matters and it's something that National Lifeguard holders worked really hard to achieve. Someone may hold a general first aid certificate but still lack the specialized aquatic training needed to supervise a busy pool safely.
Minimum Certifications for Swim Instructors
Teaching swimming safely requires additional skills and knowledge beyond those required for lifeguarding.
A qualified swim instructor should hold:
National Lifeguard certification
Standard First Aid + CPR-C (*soon to be called Intermediate First Aid)
Swim Instructor certification from a recognized organization such as the Lifesaving Society
Instructor certifications teach professionals how to:
Understand the foundational principles that allow people to swim (buoyancy, breathing, body position, propulsion, etc.)
Progress skills safely and efficiently
Adapt teaching styles for different ages, body types and abilities
Build confidence in swimmers
Teach safe behaviour around the water
Structure lessons properly for age and skill level
This is especially important for younger children, beginner swimmers and swimmers with additional needs.
Teaching swimming is not simply repeating “how I learned” or "this worked for me". Proper instructor training focuses heavily on child development, safety progression, communication, and risk management.
3. Experience Matters Just as Much as Certifications
Certifications are essential but, experience is what turns knowledge into real-world skills.
A newly certified lifeguard may technically meet all qualification requirements, but if they have never actually supervised swimmers independently, they may not yet have the confidence or situational awareness needed for a large backyard gathering.
The same applies to swim instructors.
Someone may hold an instructor certification but have very little experience teaching nervous beginners, toddlers, or children with diverse learning or physical needs.
One of the easiest ways to explain this is: Certifications are a learner’s permit. Experience builds the driver.
Questions Parents Should Ask
Do not feel guilty asking questions before hiring someone. Professional instructors and lifeguards expect it.
Consider asking:
Where have you worked before?
How long have you been teaching or lifeguarding?
What age groups do you usually work with?
Do you have experience working with individuals with special requirements?
Have you supervised pool parties before?
Are you comfortable managing large groups of children?
What would you do during an emergency?
The answers can tell you a lot.
Experienced aquatic professionals are able to explain:
Their teaching style
Their supervision approach
Their comfort level
Their areas of expertise
The policies they follow in order to ensure safety
That clarity can help you determine whether they are the right fit for your family or event.
4. A Lifeguard Is Not a Replacement for Parent Supervision
This is one of the biggest misconceptions parents have during pool parties and, for those not immersed in the aquatic realm, this may come as a surprise.
Hiring a lifeguard is an excellent safety decision, but it does not mean adults can fully “check out.”
Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, especially with children. Even strong swimmers can experience fatigue, panic, injury, or horseplay that escalates unexpectedly.
Parents and hosts should still:
Know where their children are at all times
Avoid distractions or leaving the pool area for extended periods of time
Avoid or limit alcohol consumption
Ensure gates and barriers are secure in order to limit entry/exit
Establish and maintain clear pool rules
Did you know? Having alcohol present at a party may void your home insurance policy, should an emergency occur. Check with your insurance provider for details.
The best pool safety plans involve layers of protection and an action plan.
5. Be Cautious of Extremely Low Prices
Budget matters, especially for families planning summer events and we know that summers can get expensive quickly with the rising costs of activities, travel and events; however, low pricing can sometimes be a red flag.
Professional aquatic staff and businesses invest significantly in:
Certification courses,
Recertifications,
Insurance,
Equipment,
Administration,
Ongoing training, etc.
If someone’s pricing seems dramatically lower than everyone else’s, it is reasonable to ask why.
Sometimes the answer is harmless - they may simply be newer to the industry. Other times, it may indicate:
Lack of insurance,
Missing certifications,
Little experience, and/or
Unsafe business practices.
How do you know what is reasonable to pay for private swimming lessons or lifeguarding?
Great question! A Google search in your area to find out average pricing would be a good place to start. This can alleviate some of the "sticker shock" you may experience when requesting your first price.
Keep in mind that private swimming lesson prices will always be higher if the instructor is properly insured and certified. The reason private swim companies charge more than municipalities or YMCA facilities is that they are not subsidized by tax payers or membership holders and grant money. You may be surprised to know that the cost to run swimming lessons is more or less the same no matter where you go but, the user price is determined by how much of that cost is already subsidized.
Parents can often save money if they host lessons at their home. Many private businesses consider that their overhead is significantly reduced when they are not financially responsible for the maintenance of the facility. These savings are then passed onto their clients.
Obtaining multiple quotes from reliable providers in your area will help determine how much you should be paying. While providers may not feel the need to defend or itemize their pricing, they should be able to tell you more about whether they meet the insurance, certification and experience criteria you require. Asking local parents who have used some of these services may be able to tell you if the price was worth it or, in the case of lifeguarding, help you compare costs!
Price should never be the only factor when choosing someone responsible for water safety, but it is a way to identify those who are legitimate businesses.
6. Pool Parties Need Structure and Constant Supervision
Have you ever heard the phrase "if everyone is watching then no one is watching"?
Parents are easily distracted when watching the kids in the pool - their phone goes off, someone needs something, they need to use the washroom, and so on. These brief moments of distraction can have devastating consequences since a child can slip under the water in seconds!
Another challenge during pool parties is that excitement often overrides safety awareness. Having an authority figure there can often curb some of the less-favourable behaviours that may come from overconfidence or excitement.
If you don't hire a private lifeguard, always make sure you have a Designated Water Watcher and implement some simple safety strategies:
Establish pool rules on your invitations and before swimming begins
Designate clear shallow/deep areas using visual barriers (i.e. lane rope/buoy line)
Require weaker swimmers to wear lifejackets
Schedule regular breaks for all swimmers (i.e. dinner break, soccer game break, etc.)
Keep rescue equipment accessible
Avoid overcrowding in the water and too many large inflatables that block your view
7. Trust Your Gut
Parents often know when something feels “off.” Maybe the instructor cannot clearly explain their qualifications. Maybe the lifeguard seems distracted, disorganized, or overly casual about safety concerns. It's okay to keep looking.
A professional aquatic staff member should make you feel:
Comfortable,
Respected,
Informed, and
Confident in their abilities and their policies.
Good professionals understand that parents are trusting them with something incredibly important.
Final Thoughts
Backyard pools create amazing summer memories, but they also come with serious responsibility.
Hiring a qualified, experienced, and insured swim instructor or lifeguard can add an important layer of safety for your family and guests, especially during busy summer gatherings and pool parties.
The good news is that there are many fantastic aquatic professionals who genuinely care about safety, education, and helping children build confidence in the water.
Asking questions is not rude and verifying credentials is not overprotective. Wanting the safest possible environment for your children is simply good parenting.
With the right planning, supervision, and support, your family can enjoy a summer that is both fun and safe.
Happy Swimming!
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