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.
No snorkels or masks are allowed during open swim.
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 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.

POOL ATTIRE POLICY
All persons on the pool deck and/or swimming in the pool must have on proper swim attire. The following attire is not allowed at the YMCA pools:
“Street clothes,” revealing swim wear, jeans, skirts, shorts, sport bras, leotards, leggings, dri-fit wear, compression shorts and compression shirts are prohibited.  Underwear and Undergarments are not allowed to be worn under swimsuits. See below for images.
All infants/toddlers that require a diaper must wear swimmer diapers and proper swimwear.Attire policies are enforced by staff and are at lifeguard discretion under the guidance of the Aquatics Director.
Questions? See our Aquatics Director.

 

LAP POOL RULES
Deep end swim tests are required to swim in the deep end of the pool.
No back-dives, flips, or spinning when jumping in from 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
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 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 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 300lbs.

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, 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 water. Swimmer must swim to the opposite side of the pool using any stroke of their preference. This test will be administered by a 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 same speed need to circle swim. Lane lines will be in all designated lap swim lanes.
**Children under 14 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 quiet individual workouts without any pool toys. 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. This is a quiet workout time.

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.

FAMILY SWIM
This is a time for families to swim together. Parent must be in water and supervision required.

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.

WATER POLO $
During this time the Lap Pool is reserved for the YMCA Water Polo program. For safety, no other activities will take place in the Lap Pool during this program time.

MASTERS SWIM $
During this time the entire Lap Pool will be reserved for the YMCA Masters Swim Team. There will not be any lanes open for member lap swim during this program 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
UPDATED 8-11-2017