Pool Rules

General Rules

  1. Only Coast Guard approved PFDs are permitted.
  2. Out of the respect for every child and parent/guardian, and due to the fact that many individuals do not want their photos or their child’s photos on social media, you are not allowed to take any photos or videos of anyone but your own child. If you are taking photos or videos of the entire group, our Aquatics Staff will ask you to stop and delete.
  3. Walk at all times in the pool area. No walking in the gutter or on the benches.
  4. All jumping must be done from the gutter facing the pool. Diving is permitted only at depths
    9 feet or greater. Twists, flips, and partner jumps are not permitted.
  5. No rough play.
  6. Food, gum, or beverages (other than water) are prohibited in the pool area. Glass containers and other breakable materials are prohibited.
  7. Prolonged underwater breath-holding is prohibited in this facility. This practice can lead to Shallow Water Blackout.
  8. All personal training, coaching, and swim instruction must be scheduled through the YMCA. Outside instruction is prohibited.
  9. Patrons with open cuts, blisters, inflamed eyes, contagious skin rashes, or any communicable disease are not permitted in the pool. Anyone who has or had diarrhea in the past two days should refrain from using the pool.
  10. Spitting, nose-blowing, urinating, and depositing foreign matter into the pool is prohibited.
  11. The pool may be closed as necessary for the health, welfare, and safety of the patrons. The pool will be cleared during thunderstorms and will remain closed for 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard.
  12. Animals are not permitted anywhere in the pools.
  13. Means Pool Lap Lanes will be taken for open swim should open swim become too crowded for the lanes they are allotted.
  14.  The lifeguards have the final say. Please respect their decision.

Swim Attire

  • All patrons must shower before entering the pool.
  • Swimsuits, or swim-specific attire required.
  • No denim. T-shirts must be snug fitting.
  • Street shoes are not permitted on the deck.
  • Any patron who is not toilet-trained, or was recently toilet-trained, must wear a swim diaper.
  • Hair longer than earlobe length must be tied back or in a swim cap.
  • All swim attire should be YMCA appropriate and family-friendly.

Lap Swim

  • Swimmers must be 14 years of age or older.
  • Kickboards, fins, pull buoys, and paddles may be used during this time.
  • Lanes will need to be shared. Private lanes are not guaranteed.
  • Three or more swimmers in a lane must circle swim (counterclockwise).
  • No more than 5 swimmers are allowed per lane.
  • Hanging on and crossing over the lane lines is prohibited.
  • Kickboards must remain on the surface of the water at all times.
  • Starting blocks are for swim team/lessons only.

Adult Open Swim

  • Patrons must be 18 years or older for lap or recreational swimming during this time.
  • All equipment may be used during this time.

Family Swim

  • Children under 9 years of age who do not pass the swim test must be accompanied in the water at all times by a parent or guardian over 16 years old.
  • Children under 9 years of age who pass a swim test must have a parent or guardian on the pool deck at all times.
  • Pool toys, balls, and noodles may be used during this time.

Swim Tests

  1. All patrons tested will be assigned a colored safety band to wear at the pool.
  2. The Lifeguard can swim test anyone whose swimming ability is in question.
  3. The “Green Band” deep water test consists of the following:
    • Patron will start in the shallow end of the pool, jumping into water and returning to the surface.
    • Swim one pool length (25 yards) unassisted and without rest. Swimmer must maintain a positive body position (legs should not drop) for the entire distance. Start swimmers at the shallow end and travel to the deep end.
    • Tread water for one minute, turn on their back, float briefly, then swim (either on front or back) to side and exit the pool.
    • “Green Band” swimmers are allowed in all pool areas.
  4. Those who do not pass the shallow water competency test are considered “Red Band” or “non-swimmers”. Those who decline to take the test are also considered “non-swimmers”.
    “Red Band” swimmers must stay in water that is armpit deep or less and require active adult supervision. Active supervision means the adult must be in the water within arm’s reach at all times (1 adult per 2 children ratio). Swimmers who can not stand in the shallow end will wear a U.S. Coast Guard-Approved typed II Personal Flotation Device.

If you have any questions, please call us at 207-941-2808.