Aquatics & Pool Information

• Circle swimming is utilized to accommodate three or more swimmers using the whole lane: down and back on the right side of the lane. Swimmers swim in a counterclockwise direction within the lane, always staying on the right side of the lane, similar to cars on a road.
• Look at the speed of the swimmers in the lanes and select a lane that is most appropriate for you, then notify the other swimmers in that lane that you would like to join them.
• To avoid collisions, only begin swimming when the other swimmers in the lane have been made aware of your presence. The best method is to get in the water and wait at the wall until the other swimmers come to you.
• If you need to pass in your lane, move up to the swimmer and tap his/her foot. It's inappropriate to grab or pull the person, but a tap is a clear indication of your presence and intent to pass. To avoid collisions, a pass must be initiated in time to overtake the slower swimmer before the wall.
• If you stop at the wall for any reason, move into the corner of the lane so that other swimmers have room to turn.

• YMCA provides kick-boards, pull boys, swim paddles, and deep water aerobics equipment for member and guest use. Please do not use equipment from bins labeled “class use only.”
• Coast Guard-approved life jackets are available in a variety of sizes.
• A limited number of goggles are available for swimmers to borrow; just ask a lifeguard.
• Members are welcome to bring their own pool toys, but inflatable rafts/rings are prohibited.
• Due to higher risk of injury, the weighted “torpedo” toys are not permitted in the pool.

To ensure the safety of all aquatic participants, the YMCA policy requires that all youth under the age of 7 must have a parent in the water at all times.

Youth ages 7 -11 must meet one of the following requirements to enter the pool:

1. Pass swim test and have swim bracelet on.
2. Wear properly fitted, Coast Guard-approved PFD (lifejacket) and remain within an arm's length of an adult while in a PFD
3. Remain within an arm's length of an adult if not in a PFD/have not passed the swim test. Lifeguards reserve the right to require children who do not pass a swim test to wear a flotation device.

About the Swim Tests
Swim tests will be given by a lifeguard at the top and bottom of each hour between these times:

• 6:00-8:00 pm, Monday-Friday
• 12:00 pm-6:00 pm, Saturday
• 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Sunday

Swim Test Requirements

• Jumping into deep water and returning to the side.
• Treading water for 1 minute without touching the side or bottom of the pool. This means keeping your head above water while staying in one place.
• Swimming the length of the pool using freestyle stroke. Swimmer must have their face in the water and may not touch the bottom or the side of the pool!
• A green bracelet signifies that the swimmer has passed the swim test.

• Our Multi Purpose Pool at our Southeast Y branch and pool at our Northwest Y branch offer zero-depth entry to help members easily access the pool.
• Our Main Pool at our Southeast Y branch and pool at our Northwest Y branch offers a lift into the pool for the mobility challenged.
• Our facilities are ADA compliant, including showers and bathroom stalls.