Aquatic Center Policies
- Swimmer Safety: Obey lifeguards at all times and report problems or emergencies to the lifeguards. Lifeguards are responsible for the safety of everyone within the pool enclosure. When a lifeguard blows his/her whistle or is speaking loudly, his/her instructions are to be obeyed. Lifeguard decisions are final.
- Age Requirements: Children 6 and under must be accompanied within arms length by an adult in the water at all times. Children 7-8 must have an adult present in the Aquatics Center. Children 10 and over can be in the Aquatics Center by themselves. All participants 13 and under must be swim tested before utilizing the pools.
- Showering: Any person using a public pool must take cleansing shower, using warm water and soap, and thoroughly rinse off all soap before entering the pool enclosure. A user leaving the pool to use the toilet must take a second cleansing shower before returning to the pool enclosure. A person who exercises, applies lotion or other substance must shower before using the pool.
- Proper Attire: Appropriate swimming attire (swimsuits) is required. No swimsuits or clothing that may be deemed YMCA inappropriate. Please try to avoid wearing street shoes on the pool deck.
- Pool Safety: No back dives, inward dives, spins or flips from the edge. Front dives are allowed only in 9 ft deep water. Inappropriate language, name calling, horseplay or fighting will not be tolerated in the Aquatics Center or locker rooms. Sitting on or hanging from pool ladders, lane lines and safety lines is not allowed. All patrons must obey lifeguards, lifeguard decisions are final.
- Food: Closed water bottles are allowed, NO glass containers. Food, gum and other beverages are not permitted in the Aquatics Center at any time.
- Pool Etiquette: No person with or suspected of having a communicable disease which could be transmitted through the use of the pool or an exposed wound, are allowed to use any public pool. No spitting, spouting, or blowing nose in pool.
- Swim Diapers: Children who wear diapers must wear designated swimming diapers. Regular diapers are not allowed at any time.
- Floatation Device Usage: Only U.S. Coast Guard floatation devices are approved. Children/adults wearing a personal floatation device must be directly supervised by an adult who is in the water next to the child/adult. If you are directly supervising a child/adult who is wearing personal floatation device you must stay in the area of the pool that you are able to touch the bottom.
- Toys and Pool Equipment: Water toys, rafts and other unapproved floatation devices from home are not allowed at any time. Kick boards, pull buoys, flippers and other swimming lesson equipment may be used only during lap swim for stroke practice. Lifeguards always have the discretion not to allow any equipment for safety reasons.
- Aquatics Safety Breaks: Safety is our #1 priority. Safety Breaks will occur for the last ten minutes of every hour during open swim to allow our lifeguards to refocus and enhance their performance.
- Breath Holding Training: All types of breath holding are dangerous and prohibited in all bodies of water within the Aquatics Center. This includes: static, dynamic, and hypoxic training (swimmer trying to hold their breath or swimmer trying to swim as far as they can underwater).
Water Slide Policies
- Slide Requirements: Only children over 48 inches tall may utilize water slide.
- Slide Safety: Safety is our #1 priority.
- Feet first entry only (no spinning). Sitting or laying on back only. No swinging body at top of slide to pick up speed.
- Swimmers slide down without stopping.
- Exit the pool immediately after they come down waterslide.
- Only one person at a time down the slide.
- No swimming or playing in the slide area.
- No one is allowed to wear jewelry, watches, lifejackets, or goggles on slide.
Whirl Pool Policies
- Age Requirements: Patrons 13 years of age and older may use the whirlpool. Children under the age of 13 years old may not sit on the edge or dangle their feet in the whirlpool.
- Health Concerns: Individuals with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, respiratory problems and those who are pregnant should avoid whirlpool use. Please consult a physician before use. Please limit your time in the whirlpool to 10 minute intervals. If exercising, cool down before you enter the whirlpool.
- Showering: Any person using a public pool must take a cleansing shower, using warm water and soap, and thoroughly rinse off all soap before entering the pool enclosure. A user leaving the pool to use the restroom must take a second cleansing shower before returning to the pool enclosure. A person who exercises, applies lotion, or uses a sauna or steam room must shower before using the pool.
- Whirl Pool Safety: No horse playing or toys of any type are allowed in whirl pool.
- Breath Holding Training: All types of breath holding are dangerous and prohibited in all bodies of water within the Aquatics Center. This includes: static, dynamic, and hypoxic training (swimmers trying to hold their breath or swimmer trying to swim as far as they can underwater).
Swim Attire
Please follow the guidelines below to keep all swimmers safe and our pools healthy.
EXAMPLES OF APPROVED SWIM ATTIRE:
Swimwear must be clean and designated for pool use.
- The YMCA does not allow swimmers of any age to enter the pool in clothes.
- Swimmers must bring a change of clothes specifically designated for the pool use.
- Swimsuits must not be transparent.