Pool Rules

General Rules

  1. Follow our Whistle System: 1 whistle means swimmers listen up, and 3 whistles means get out of the water immediately.
  2. Only Coast Guard approved PFDs (personal flotation devices) are permitted.
  3. Walk at all times in the pool area. No walking in the gutter or on the benches.
  4. To respect the privacy of our swimmers/guests, please refrain from taking photos and videos in the pool area.
  5. All jumping must be done from the gutter, and facing the pool. Diving is permitted only at depths of 9 feet or greater. Twists, flips, and partner jumps are not permitted.
  6. No rough play.
  7. Food, gum, or beverages (other than water) are prohibited in the pool area. Glass containers are prohibited. No tempered glass face masks allowed in the pool, no exceptions.
  8. Prolonged underwater breath-holding is prohibited in this facility. This practice can lead to Shallow Water Blackout.
  9. All personal training, coaching, and swim instruction must be scheduled through the YMCA. Outside instruction is prohibited.
  10. Swimmers 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.
  11. Spitting, nose-blowing, urinating, and depositing foreign matter into the pool is prohibited.
  12. 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.
  13. Animals are not permitted anywhere in the pools.
  14. The lifeguards have final say. Please respect their decision and help us keep everyone safe.

Swim Attire

  • All swimmers 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 pool deck.
  • Any swimmer 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. Undergarments aren’t considered swim wear.

Lap Swim

  • Swimmers must be 12 years of age or older
  • Kickboards, fins, and pull buoys may be used during this time and only in Aloupis Pool.
    • Special consideration will be taken for swimmers who are on swim team or, are in levels 4 or above in our swim lessons program.
    • Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
    • Further consideration can be taken at the discretion of the Lifeguard.
  • Kickboards must remain on the surface of the water at all times.
  • 3 or more swimmers in a lane must circle swim (counter clockwise).
  • No more than 5 swimmers are allowed per lane.
  • Hanging on and crossing over the lane lines is prohibited.
  • Starting blocks are for swim team/lessons only.

Adult Open Swim

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

Family Swim

  • Children under 9 who do not pass the swim test must be accompanied in the water at all times by a parent or guardian over 16 years of age.
  • Children under 9 years of age who pass a swim test must have a parent or guardian on the pool deck at all times.
  • YMCA rings, balls, and noodles may be used. No fins allowed during family/open swim.
  • Children under the age of 12 will need to have a parent or guardian in the building.

Swim Tests

  1. All swimmers under the age of 12 will have to take a swim test.
  2. All swimmers tested will be assigned a colored safety band to wear at the pool.
  3. The “Green Band” deep water test consists of the following:
    • Swimmer will start in the shallow end of the pool, jumping into water and returning to the surface.
    • Swim one length (25 yards) unassisted and without rest. Swimmer must maintain positive body position (legs should not drop) for the entire distance. Swimmers start at the shallow end and travel to the deep end.
    • Tread water for one minute, turn on their back, float briefly, then swim (on front) to the side and exit the pool, then jump into pool.
    • “Green Band” swimmers are allowed in all pool areas.
  4. Those who do not pass the deep water competency test are considered “Orange Band” or “non-swimmers.” Those who decline to take the test are also considered “non-swimmers.”
    “Orange 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 to 1 swimmer ratio). Swimmers who cannot stand in the shallow end will wear a U.S. Coast Guard- approved type II personal flotation device.

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