Award Description
Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) Qualification
Open water swimming is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK. The OWL qualification has been specifically designed to equip Open Water Lifeguards with the skills required to supervise and provide rescue cover for planned, organised and risk assessed activities in still or non-tidal water.
If you’d like to learn more about being an Open Water Lifeguard, click here.
The OWL course requires a minimum of 18 hours of training followed by a practical assessment.
Course Pre-Requisites:
Every candidate attending an OWL course must:
Course Content:
There are three sections to the course, and a candidate must pass all three to attain the qualification.
Section 1 – The Open Water Lifeguard, environment, hazards and supervision
Section 2 – Responding to an emergency and taking action
Section 3 – CPR and First Aid

This is a one-day, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) course for currently holders of a National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ). If you do not hold an NPLQ, you must attend the three-day OWL course.
| Experienced trainers (leisure sector and emergency services) | |
| High pass rate | |
| Rated as “5 Star” on Facebook | |
| Rated as “Excellent” on our annual quality assurance report | |
| Beautiful venues with excellent water quality |
| Open Water Lifeguard 2017 Assessment | N/A |
16/08/2026 08:00 - 18:00 |
Details |