LEARN ABOUT OUR FACILITY

FUN POOL

Our family fun pool is complete with a 15-person hot tub, zero-depth entry (0 to 2.5 feet), current channel, water spouts, basketball hoop, warm pool, and water slide! This pool is used for aquatic classes, individual fitness, swimming lessons, parent-tot swimming, and family open swim.

LAP POOL

Our six-lane lap pool is perfect for lap swim, individual fitness, swimming lessons, aquatic classes, swim team, water polo, and open family swim. This pool has a low diving board, diving blocks, and a rope swing.

RULES & REGULATIONS

GENERAL POOL RULES

• Cleansing shower must be taken prior to entering the pool or hot tub.
• Wait until the lifeguard is on deck before entering the pool.
• Always walk. No running.
• Aquatic age policy must be followed at all times.
• Only Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets are permitted as flotation devices.
• Individuals wearing life jackets must stay in the shallow end of the pool.
• All water toys must be kept in the shallow end.
• Ladders are to be used to enter and exit the pool only (not for playing).
• Diving is allowed in marked areas only.
• No flips, back-dives, etc. are allowed off of the edge of the pool.
• Dunking and rough play are not allowed.
• Pool attire policy is strictly enforced. See the details below.
• The lifeguard’s decision on rule enforcement is final and directed by the Aquatics Director.
• Repeated violations of pool safety rules may result in loss of pool and/or YMCA privileges.

LAP POOL RULES

• Deep end swim tests are required to swim in the deep end of the pool.
• No flips, back dives or spinning when jumping in from the edge.
• Flotation devices are not allowed in the deep end.
• Swim blocks must only be used during designated competitive swim times.
• No jumping or flipping from swim blocks.

FUN POOL RULES

• No diving or flipping is allowed in the fun pool.

WATER SLIDE RULES

• Riders allowed only when a lifeguard is present.
• Riders must be at least 48″ tall to slide on their own. Riders over 48” tall must slide on their own.
• Riders under 48” tall may slide with a supervising adult (18+ y/o). Not siblings or friends; must be a supervising adult.
• The maximum weight limit is 300 pounds per person.
• No jewelry can be worn while riding the slide. No foreign objects allowed in pockets, no rivets, etc. in a swimsuit that could cause damage to the slide.
• Riders must enter the slide in a sitting position and wait for instructions from the guard stationed at the top of the slide.
• All riders must ride feet first while lying on their back. Absolutely no riding on stomach or headfirst is permitted.
• Riders should lie on their back with arms crossed across their chest or hands clasped behind their head with legs crossed at the ankles.
• Only one rider at a time. Absolutely no trains or chains of riders are permitted.
• No tubes or mats are permitted on the slide.
• Only US Coast Guard approved lifejackets (buckles in front) are allowed on the slide.
• Riders must wait on the stairs and/or deck in a single file line, one per stair, holding on to the handrail on the wide side of the step.
• Riders must be in good health. Pregnant women or individuals with heart or back conditions should not use the slide.
• Do not use this slide while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Follow the instructions of the flume attendant.
• No diving from the flume.
• Leave the flume pool area promptly after exiting the slide.

HANDICAP LIFT

• There are two handicap lifts (one in each pool).
• The handicap lift has a weight capacity of 300 lbs.

SPA RULES

• All persons are required to take a cleansing shower before entering the hot tub/spa.
• Elderly persons and those suffering from heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure should consult their physician before using the spa.
• No person suffering from communicable disease transmissible via water shall use the spa.
• Persons using prescription medications should consult their physician before using the spa.
• Individuals under the influence of alcohol should not use the spa.
• No persons shall use the spa alone.
• Pregnant women should not use the spa without consulting a physician.
• Persons should spend no more than 15 minutes in the spa at a time.
• No children under 6 years of age are allowed to use the spa Children under 13 years of age shall be accompanied by a responsible adult.
• No life jackets are to be worn in the hot tub
• Maximum of 15 people in the hot tub at any one time.

SAUNA RULES

• The minimum age for children to use the sauna is 4 years old and within a parent’s arm’s length.
• The minimum age to use the sauna without a parent present is 13 years old.

ROPE SWING RULES

• Swim test is required for users under 18 years old.
• The rope swing may only be used when the lifeguard gives permission.
• Wait your turn to use the rope swing.
• Only one person is allowed on rope swing platform at a time.
• Do not swing back to the deck when swinging on the rope swing.
• One you swing out on the rope swing, let go.
• Swim directly to the side of the pool (out of the way) of those waiting to swing next.
• Do not climb the rope.

DIVING BOARD

• A swim test is required for all persons using the diving board.
• Patrons wait their turn at the bottom of the ladder, taking care to not interfere with the divers.
• One diver at a time is permitted on the board.
• The diving board is the only entrance to the diving area in the pool.
• Recreational divers must jump or dive using only one bounce. No running off the end of the board,
• handstands, sitting, or back dives is permitted.
• Only jumping or diving straight off the end of the board is permitted.
• All divers must look before and wait until the area in the pool is clear before diving.
• Immediately after diving, the diver surfaces and swims clear of the diving area.
• All diving board equipment may be adjusted only by Aquatics personnel.
• Any activities deemed unsafe by the Aquatics personnel are not permitted.
• The maximum weight limit is 400 pounds per person.

LAP SWIM ETIQUETTE

• Continuous swimming is required during lap swim except while resting at the wall.
• Swimmers must use the circle swim pattern.
• Please allow faster swimmers to pass you at the walls.
• Swimmers are asked to order themselves by swimming pace in appropriately marked lanes: Slow, Medium, Fast, Sprint. Lifeguards will ask swimmers to move accordingly.
• Water walking is not allowed except in designated lanes and times during the day.
• Staff members kindly ask you to return the equipment that you have taken out to use to its proper place.
• Open swim is not allowed in the lap swim lanes.

DEEP END TEST

• To complete the swim test, the swimmer must swim jump in from a starting block closest to the edge of the pool, then tread water for 30 seconds keeping their head above the swimmer.
• Swimmer must swim to the opposite side of the pool using any stroke of their preference. This test will be administered by lifeguard staff.
• After passing, the child will receive a color-coded wristband signifying successful completion. All swimmers must pass to play in the deep end of the pool.

LAP SWIM

• Regardless of popular belief, you do not have to swim laps the entire time!
• This is a time for lap swimming. We reserve the right to designate specific lanes for the YMCA
• programs as needed. We ask participates to respect the people and activities taking place in each lane. It is acceptable to swim in a lane alone or with a group. If applicable, swimmers with the same speed need to circle swim. Lane lines will be in all designated lap swim lanes.
• **Children under 18 years of age are allowed to use the Lap Pool during Lap Swim only if they have passed our swim test.

INDIVIDUAL LAP & FITNESS

• This is a time for individuals of all ages to participate in their own individual workouts without any pool toys or horseplay.
• Please be respectful of others.
• This time will be used for open swim during non–school days.

ADULT & SENIOR FITNESS

• This is a time for adults (18 years+) and seniors to participate in their individual work out.
• No children permitted to be in any part of the pool during this time.
• Please be respectful of others.

PARENT/CHILD SWIM

• During this time parents and preschool children may use the Fun Pool for water play and exercise. Parents must be in the water and within arm’s reach of their child.
• This time is designated for young children under 6 years old.

OPEN SWIM

• Open for anyone for fun swim. Please be advised the slide may not always be open during open swim.
• Please see slide hours to ensure the slide will be open during your visit.
• Deep end swim test is required for children who want to swim in the deep end.

SWIM LESSONS ($)

• During this time the entire Fun Pool (and some Lap Pool lanes) will be closed for the YMCA Swim Lessons program.
• Quiet time in the hot tub is allowed for adults 18 years and older.

WATER POLO ($)

• During this time the Lap Pool is reserved for the YMCA Water Polo program.

ADULT SWIM CLUB ($)

• Lap Swim will be available to share lanes with Adult Swim Club during this time.

SWIM TEAM $

• During this time the Lap Pool is reserved for the YMCA Tiger Shark Swim Team.

WEST ALBANY TRANSITION PROGRAM

• During this time the West Albany Transition program will use the Fun/Lap Pool.
• Individuals are welcome to share the pool while participating in individual water fitness with the West Albany program.

May be subject to change