Darren Patrick Blaney

Current Position:

Certifications Manager, Aquatics Instructor, and Waterfront Lifeguard, Berkshire South Regional Community Center

EXPERIENCE

• Berkshire South Regional Community Center, Great Barrington, MA, 2022 – present

  • Certifications Manager / Aqua-Aerobics and Learn-To-Swim Instructor / Private Swim Lessons Coach / Waterfront Coordinator:  April 2025 – present

    • Manage all BSRCC Red Cross Certifications programming, including CPR/AED and Lifeguarding certification classes. Plan, administer, register, and instruct certifications programming. Recruit additional LGI instructors as needed. Ensure compliance with Red Cross standards and objectives for all BSRCC Red Cross Certifications classes

    • Co-manage and supervise lifeguard staffing for BSRCC's Lake Garfield site. Run in-service lifeguard trainings, maintain Red Cross standards for waterfront lifeguarding

    • Instruct and coach classes for all ages, including aqua-aerobics, Learn-To-Swim group lessons, youth swim team, private lessons, and improvisation for theater classes

  • Director of Aquatics / Aquatics Instructor: Feb 2023 – April 2025

    • Served as Director of Aquatics at a busy nonprofit community center, managing aquatics programs for all ages, including intergenerational programming

    • Managed 35 aquatics employees, including lifeguards, aqua-aerobics & swim instructors, and aquatics maintenance staff

    • Program and personnel administration

    • Manage/staff lifeguards at three locations, including two waterfront lake sites during the summer months

    • Swim instructor for students of all ages, from infants to seniors. Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) and Lifeguard Instructor (LGI)

  • Head Lifeguard / Swimming, CPR, & Lifeguard Instructor: May 2022 – Feb 2023

  • Lifeguard: January 2022 – May 2022

• “Aqua Flow” aqua-aerobics instructor, Stillwater at Prospect Berkshires, Egremont, MA - 2026

• Sandy Beach Lifeguard, Town of Lee, MA, 2024

• Lifeguard / WSI Red Cross Swim Instructor, Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex & Caporella Aquatics Center, Broward, Florida, 2012-2014

  • Lifeguarded at a renowned facility with two Olympic size pools, a dive well, and instructional pool

  • Taught Red Cross Learn-To-Swim classes students of all ages and abilities, including parent/tot classes, as well as lessons for pre-k children, youth, teens, and adults

  • Led aqua-aerobics classes geared for seniors and adults, including adults with adaptive needs

• Swimming Instructor, Quality Swimming, Coral Springs, Florida, 2012

  • Led Learn-To-Swim classes for children, ages pre-k through teenage

  • Led aquatics safety classes for teens and adults with Down syndrome, autism, and other adaptive needs

Current:

• Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor (LGI) Certification – 2022, 2023 & 2024, Instructor: Laura Harner

• Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Certification – 2023 & 2025, Instructor: Sabrina Keller

• Red Cross Lifeguarding including Deep Water with CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, and Waterfront Skills – Recertification 2024, Instructor: Laura Harner

• Red Cross First Aid CPR/AED Instructor – 2022, 2024 & 2026, online bridge course

• Red Cross Lifeguard Management Certificate – 2025, online course

Previous:

• Red Cross Lifeguarding with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, First Aid and Waterfront Skills – 2022, Instructors: Jill Svirida and Laura Harner

• Red Cross Lifeguarding, CPR, First AID, Oxygen Administration, AED – 2011, Instructor: Ken Roland

• Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) Certification – 2012, Instructor: Ken Roland

• Completed Training: British Swim School, Broward County Florida, 2011