Treasure Valley Family YMCA

Aquatic Center and Swimming Rules

Aquatic Center RulesDowntown BoiseWest BoiseCaldwell

  1. Shower before entering pool
  2. Swim testing guidelines are posted at each aquatic center. Please check them before entering the water. All children under the age of 18 must pass a swim test.
  3. Age guidelines for the facility will be followed in the aquatic center. Ages 0-6 years old must have a parent in the aquatic center, either in the pool with their child or within arms reach; 7-9 years should have a person 12+ years in the aquatic center; 10+ years may be unaccompanied in the aquatic center.
  4. If Coast Guard approved, life jackets are allowed in the facility, an adult must be in the water within arms reach of the child. No water wings or other inflatables are permitted in the aquatic center.
  5. The hot tub guidelines are as follows: 0-5 years may not be in the hot tub at anytime; 6-14 years may be in the hot tub with their parent (please note: not an adult with multiple children of different families; it must be their specific parent); 15+ years may use the hot tub unaccompanied. It is strongly recommended for the safety of all participants that they do not stay in the hot tub any longer than 10 minutes.
  6. Please check the aquatic center for all other pool rules.
  7. Adults only are allowed in the steam room.

Circle swimmingDowntown BoiseWest Boise

  • Circle swimming is utilized to accomodate three or more swimmers using the whole lane: down and back on the right side of the lane.
  • Circle swimming is done by swimmers swimming in a counterclockwise direction within the lane. In other words, swimmers always stay on the right side of the lane, similar to cars on a road.
  • Look at the speed of the swimmers in the lanes and select a lane that is most appropriate for you, then notify the other swimmers in that lane that you would like to join them.
  • Keep to the right at all times
  • To avoid collisions only begin swimming when the other swimmers in the lane have been made aware of your presence. The best method is to get in the water and wait at the wall until the other swimmers come to you

Lap Swimming Rules and EtiquetteDowntown BoiseWest Boise

Lap swim

One lane is available at all times at the Caldwell.
One lane is usually at the Downtown Y.
West Y-City lap swimmers have at least three available lanes at all times.

Please check the monthly schedule for additional lane availability.

Lanes may need to be shared by circle swimming.

Lap swimming rules and etiquette

  1. Lap lanes are for lap swimming only. Other water exercises should be performed in the open space outside of the lap lanes when lap swimmers are waiting for lanes.
  2. Lap lanes are first-come-first-serve. During peak usage it will become necessary for you to circle swim with other swimmers.
  3. When enterin a lane with other swimmers, notify them that you are joining them.
  4. When you enter the water, never dive, jump or push off into oncoming swimmers. Wait until they have made the turn and pushed off.
  5. Always swim complete laps of the pool. Avoid stopping in the middle of the pool for any reason; this can interfere with other's progress and cause collisions.
  6. Be aware of your space in the lane and orientation of others.
  7. If you need to pass in your lane, move up to the swimmer and tap his/her foot. It is inappropriate to grab or pull the person, but a tap is a clear indication of your presence and intent to pass. A pass must be initiated in time to overtake the slower swimmer before the wall, otherwise there exists a strong potential for a collison as both swimmers attempt to turn at the same time.
  8. Slower swimmmers should wait to push off the wall until faster swimmers have passed (i.e. don't push off right in front of a faster swimmer who's coming into the wall about to turn, as this blocks the faster swimmer). Slower swimmers should push off almost immediately behind a faster individual or group, thus extending the tme until they are lapped again and need to stop.
  9. If you stop at the wall for any reason, squeeze into the corner of the lane so that other swimmers hame ample room for turns.
  10. Lifeguards may ask you to switch lanes. Please accomodate our requests.
  11. Smile and enjoy your workout. When we work together, lap swimming can be a wonderful experience for all levels of fitness.

Summer Aquatic Center ChangesWest Boise

Long Course started in June and continues through the first week in August. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, swim team starts to change the course at 6:20 a.m.; the change takes about 10 minutes. On these days, long course will go from 6:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Swim team starts to change the course from long to short at 8:45; the change is complete at 9:00 a.m.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, long course is up and running at 5:00 a.m. and continues until 8:45 a.m.; at 8:45 a.m. the course is then changed once again to short course.

Swim Testing GuidelinesCaldwell

For the safety of all members and guests, everyone under the age of 18 should take a swim test and wear the appropriate colored ribbon for the swimming level.

The test only needs to be taken once, after which you may simply get the colored ribbon upon entering the aquatic center. Please see a lifeguard to be tested or if you have any questions. When accompanied by a parent; 15+ years may use the hot tub at all times.

Ribbon Color What it Means How we Check
Green May use all pools and slides Swim 25 yards - across deep end and back
Blue May use all areas except the deep end of the rec pool Swim width of shallow end or be at least 48 inches tall and able to pass the yellow ribbon check
Yellow May use the beach area unaccompanied Shallow water: able to get frm a back float to a stand without assistance
Red Must be within arms reach of an adult at all times No Check

 

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