With 59 square miles of water in Virginia Beach, it's important to be safe in and around the water. We offer advanced water safety classes that build upon basic swimming skills to help you prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies near the water.

Participants age 10 to 14 in the Junior Lifeguard class learn elementary forms of water rescue and skills to assist lifeguard staff. This class helps youth get on the path to becoming a Lifeguard. The cost is $30 and it's offered at Great Neck and Kempsville.

The American Red Cross Basic Water Rescue class, for ages 12 and up, prepares students to recognize swimmers in distress and teaches safe ways to assist others. This one -day class is recommended for anyone who supervises children in or around the water, such as babysitters or day-care providers. It is $25 and offered at Kempsville.

Those ages 15 and up looking for more training should consider American Red Cross Lifeguard Training classes. After successfully completing this class, students will be certified as pool lifeguards, and able to respond to emergencies in the pool, including medical emergencies. Classes are $150 and offered at Bayside, Kempsville, Princess Anne, Seatack and Williams Farm.

Love swimming and want to help others learn how to swim? The American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor class is perfect for ages 16 and up who wish to teach swimming lessons. Sessions are offered at Bayside and Great Neck, and cost $175.

Each swimming class requires a Virginia Beach recreation center membership. You can register online using the links above, or in person at any Virginia Beach Recreation Center.

Ryan Solar, Carol Fernheimer & Josh Waltz

Three members of our Aquatics staff were recently honored with the 2012 Frank Pia Lifesaving Award at the Virginia Lifeguard Association Conference in Williamsburg. Carol Fernheimer, Aquatic Supervisor, Josh Waltz, Recreation Specialist, and Ryan Solar, Lifeguard, were recognized for their response to a cardiac arrest incident that happened in December at Great Neck Recreation Center.

The three were summoned to the men's locker room, where 77-year old Dr. Vasilios Roussis had collapsed and was unconscious. They reached the doctor quickly, applied an automatic external defibrillator (AED), began CPR, and administered oxygen. By the time the rescue squad personnel transported Dr. Roussis from the recreation center, he had a pulse and was breathing on his own. The swift response of our staff members likely saved Dr. Roussis' life that day.

"We are very proud of Carol, Josh, and Ryan and their quick response to this situation," said Teri Dalone, Aquatic Unit Coordinator. "The safety of our patrons is our first priority, and we train frequently so that we can respond to medical incidents quickly."