YOUTH SWIM AT OUR POOLS

OUR SWIMMING POOLS

Our facility is equipped with one indoor swimming pool and one outdoor swimming pool. The indoor pool is 25 yards long and ranges from 3’8” at one end to 7’ at the deep end. This pool can be divided into 4 lanes for lap swimming.

Open seasonally, the outdoor pool is 25 yards long and can be divided into 5 lanes. During family swim, we reserve one lane for lap swim.

Our pools are equipped with battery-operated chair lifts for handicap accessibility.

Certified Lifeguards are always on duty. We post our Pool Schedule on the website to help you plan your activities.

SAFETY FIRST

Safety is our highest priority. We may ask members to do a swim test for safety purposes.

Swim Testing for Youth

Swim Test: For the swim test, we ask youth to enter the pool from the shallow end, swim 25 yards front crawl and tread water for 1 minute in the deep end. Then swim to the edge of the pool.

Ages 13 & under: All children ages 13 & under must be swim tested to go in pool.

• If a child can pass the swim test, they will be given a bracelet to wear & may swim anywhere in the pool. Children under 10 must have an adult on the pool deck.
• If a child is under 10 and does not pass the swim test, then they must stay in the shallow end and have an adult in the water with them within arm’s reach.
• Children age 10-13 may perform a Shallow Water Competency test in order to be in the shallow end without an adult. If unable to complete the shallow water competency test, the child must have an adult in the water or wear a PFD and stay in the shallow end.

Youth over 14 years old: The lifeguard may ask a swimmer to perform the skills of the swim test if they are uncertain of the swimmer’s ability and may instruct the swimmer to remain in the shallow end of the pool if needed.

LAP SWIM

Whenever the Lap Pool is Open, we are reserving lanes for lap swimmers. As a courtesy, please use the “circle swim” technique when more than three swimmers are in your lane.

LAP SWIM ETIQUETTE

• Please notify all other swimmers in a lane before starting to swim.
• When lap swimming with 2 swimmers in a lane: Split the lane in half; When lap swimming with 3 or more swimmers per lane: CIRCLE swim staying to the right.
• All ages are welcome to participate as long as they are swimming laps. Children must be able to swim 50 yards non-stop.
• Choose a lap lane w/swimmers of similar speed/ ability when possible.
• When 4 or more lanes are available, 1 lane will be designated for slower activities/exercises.

OPEN SWIM

Open Swim periods are times when the pool is open for families and individuals to just swim around. Sometimes we may need to reserve sections of the pool for classes such as swim lessons or water exercise.

The Y is a great place for the whole family to enjoy time in the water together.

ADDITIONAL POOL RULES

• No swimming when a lifeguard is absent from pool deck.
• No diving, extended breath-holding, or extended underwater swimming.
• Bathing suits must be worn, including swim diapers for children not yet potty trained. no street clothes permitted.
• No food/drink, gum, or glass bottles allowed in pool area or locker rooms.
• Swimmers must shower before entering the pool, per MA Board of Health.
• Walk on pool deck – no running.
• Toys and misc. equipment allowed only at discretion of our lifeguards.
• Final say on safety and pool rules always lies with the lifeguard on duty.
• Parents are responsible for supervising their children at all times.
• All swimmers under 13 & under must take a swim test.
• Instructional equipment, including starting blocks, may not be used during Family Swim.
• Toys & noodles may be used at the lifeguard’s discretion depending on the number of patrons.
• Only YMCA bubbles & Coast Guard approved flotation devices allowed. No inflatable devices, such as water wings, inner tubes, rafts, etc.