Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris

You are here: Home / Greater Joliet Area YMCA Pool Policies

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Pool Policies

GENERAL POOL RULES

OPEN SWIM: All members may participate in activities in the pool during open swim. All children (under 15) will be swim tested. Children (under 10) must be accompanied by an adult on the pool deck. Children who do not pass the Yellow or Blue swim test must be accompanied by an adult in the water.

LAP SWIM: There is always one lane available for lap swimming for members. Children who pass the blue test are permitted in the lap lanes and must be swimming laps. Swimmers in the lap lanes must swim continuous laps without stopping so as to not interfere with others sharing the lap lane.

POOL POLICIES

SWIM TEST POLICY

Children under 15 years of age will be swim tested by the guard on duty and will be required to wear the appropriate wristband for the duration of their visit. Testing MUST be done with every visit.

Blue and yellow swimmers under 10 years of age MUST have at least one supervising parent in the pool area at all times.

It is recommended that Red Swimmers shorter than 4 feet, 6 inches wear a Coast Guard Approved floatation device, and be supervised by a parent in the water at a ratio of one adult to every three children.

BLUE WRISTBAND TEST

Blue swimmers must be able to jump in the deep end, tread water for 10 seconds and swim to the shallow end of the pool using a horizontal swim stroke without stopping or having assistance. Blue wristband swimmers are permitted to swim in the shallow and deep ends of the pool.

YELLOW WRISTBAND TEST

Yellow swimmers will be asked to jump into the pool at the guard chair and swim to the shallow end of the pool using a horizontal swim stroke without stopping or having assistance. Yellow wristband swimmers are not permitted past the 5 foot marker. The Yellow Test must be done without a life jacket.

RED WRISTBAND TEST

All swimmers under 15 years of age who do not pass Blue or Yellow Swim Tests will be issued a Red Wristband. Red Swimmers are not permitted past the 4 foot marker. 

PLEASE NOTE: Lifeguards may not always be able to give swim tests during busier times.

LIGHTNING AND THUNDER POLICY

The pool and pool deck will be closed and cleared of all members in the event of lightning or thunder, and shall remain closed until 30 minutes after the last sighting.

ADDITIONAL RULES

-Showering is required before entering the pool.
-Hair that is shoulder length or longer must be restrained with a hair tie or swim cap.
-No running under any circumstances.
-Bathing suits with a liner are required to enter the pool. Street clothes, gym shorts, or thong suits are prohibited.
-NO diving in the shallow end.
-NO flips, backward jumps/dives, spinning jumps, rough housing, pushing, or throwing of patrons allowed.
-Food, gum, and glass containers are not permitted.
-Do not hang on or around the ladders, stairs, or lane lines.
-All floatation devices must be U.S. Coast Guard Approved. Water Wings, baby boats, inner tubes, and other related inflatables will not be allowed. YMCA Life Jackets are available upon request.
-Any water fitness equipment or water toys must be approved by the lifeguard on duty
-Non-potty trained swimmers are required to wear a swim diaper under their swim suits. Swim diapers are available for purchase at the front desk.
-Strollers and child carriers are not allowed on the pool deck at any time.
-Persons with open sores, lesions, wounds and/or having any infections communicable diseases may not enter the pool.
-The Lifeguard is the authority figure in the pool area. Please follow directions when given.

Skip to content