Lifesaving sport · Canada
Athletic challenge, lifesaving skills and a shared commitment to drowning prevention.
The Lifesaving Society is Canada’s governing body for lifesaving sport. Its competition programme connects athletes, coaches and officials around skills rooted in saving lives. Here is SGP’s guide to the national championship formats and how to begin.
National championships
CPLC · Pool
The pool championships provide a national setting for lifesaving competition. Events follow the latest published International Life Saving Federation competition rules, alongside the Canadian competition guidance.
CSLC · Surf
The surf championships bring Canada’s lifesaving competition community into the beach and open-water environment. The published rules reference the latest ILS competition rulebook and Canadian guidance.
CLERC · Emergency response
Programme status: paused until further notice.
The Canadian Lifeguard Emergency Response Championships use simulated emergencies to assess a four-person team’s knowledge, decisions and practical response. The listed disciplines are First Aid, Water Rescue, Priority Assessment and Team Triathlon.
The published eligibility framework requires registered athletes aged at least 15 on the opening day. At least two team members must hold current National Lifeguard certification; the others require current Bronze Cross or National Lifeguard certification. The Society defines current certification here as within 24 months.
This format is included for background. The Society currently lists CLERC as paused.
Your next step
Start a conversation with a local lifesaving club or your provincial or territorial Lifesaving Society branch. Ask about training, athlete registration, coaching and officiating opportunities.
Before entering a championship, confirm the current event bulletin, entry deadline and applicable rules with the organizer. Eligibility summaries on this page are a starting point; organizers provide the complete requirements for each event.
Canada’s competition programme also connects with the Lifesaving World Championships and Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships.
Canadian competition resources
Read the competition overview, eligibility requirements and rules framework here on Swim Global Project.
Source credit: Lifesaving Society Canada’s published competition information. Reviewed November 8, 2026.
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