YMCA aquatics

Water Safety Classes Begin At YMCA

In our Aquatics department, the Georgetown County Family YMCA has a stateoftheart 6 lane competition pool, and recreation zone. Our pool is 25 yards long and goes from 3ft 6in (shallow) to 6ft (deep end). There is a dry sauna on deck and we have lifeguards on duty at all times for all programs. We offer private and group learntoswim lessons, scuba certification courses, lifeguarding and junior lifeguarding courses, pool rentals such as birthday parties, and other events.

Scheduled activities have priority use of the pool. At least one lap lane is available at all times the pool is open.

To register for, learn about and view current swim lessons, Wahoo swim team & other water programs please go to the programs tab at the top of the site and then look under the aquatics heading or click here.

Youth Swimming Lesson Descriptions
Preschool Swimming Lesson Descriptions

Pool Rules
Children’s swimming policy:
All members and guests ages 16 and under will take a swim test, to be administered by a member of the aquatics staff ONLY. The test consists of:

1. Jumping feet first into the shallow end of the pool and recovering to a standing position
2. Swimming one length of the pool front crawl without stopping, touching the side or bottom of the pool
3. Treading water for 30 seconds
4. Returning to the side of the pool and safely exiting the water using the ladder

All segments of the test must be completed continuously, and a parent/guardian must be present when the test is administered.
All members age 12 and under must be signed in and out of the pool area by a parent/guardian, even when accompanied by a parent/guardian in the pool or on the pool deck.

Other pool rules include:

1. It is recommended that individuals shower before entering the pool and always enter and exit the pool area through the locker rooms. We ask that any member exiting the sauna also shower before getting into the pool.
2. Please refrain from unnecessary conversation with the lifeguard(s) on duty.
3. NO RUNNING! Be safe and always walk when on the pool deck.
4. Dangerous practices including sitting or standing on shoulders, pushing, pulling, dunking, throwing of another person, and hanging on lane lines are not permitted. Performing front flips and back flips from the side is also prohibited. Diving or jumping from the blocks on the deep end wall will only be allowed under the supervision of an instructor or coach during swim lessons or swim team practices.
5. No candy, gum or food is permitted in the pool area. Only beverages in sealed, plastic containers are allowed on deck.
6. Any inflatable devices, such as water wings or arm floats that are not United States Coast Guard (USCG) approved are not permitted for use as the sole means of support for a non swimmer. A parent/guardian must be within arm’s reach of nonswimmers using these devices at all times.
7. During open swim hours, small play items such as beach ball will be allowed provided that they do not create an unsafe situation for members/guests or become a distraction for lifeguard(s).
8. There is to be NO changing of diapers, clothes, etc. on the pool deck. Please proceed to the locker rooms to perform these tasks.

Lap Swimming Etiquette

No lap lanes will be reserved for any one individual or family. Where there is more than one person in a given lap lane, swimmers must circle swim. Circle swimming is swimming on the right side of the lane in a counter clockwise direction, so that multiple lap swimmers may be in one lane. Lap swimmers are to share lanes and as a courtesy, let the other swimmers in that lane know that he/she is entering the water.

Sauna Rules

• No one under the age of 10 may use the sauna. Children between the ages of 10 and 12 must have direct parent/guardian supervision to use the sauna.
• The sauna is not recommended for persons in poor health, pregnant, those with cardiac related conditions or high blood pressure. Please consult a physician before using the sauna if you have any of these conditions.
• Do not exercise in the sauna. The sauna is not to be used as a weight loss tool. Excessive exposure can be harmful to yourself and your time in the sauna should be limited to no more than 30 minutes.
• Sauna users should not ignore the following warnings: feeling of discomfort, dizziness, feeling sleepy, or shortness of breath. The lifeguard may, at any time, ask a patron to exit the sauna who is exhibiting any of the above if they feel the patron is putting themselves and others in an unsafe situation.
• No food or drink is permitted in the sauna.
• No street shoes/sneakers are permitted in the sauna.