young girl taking the swim test young girl taking the swim test

Together, we keep kids safe in and around water. The YMCA is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable pool experience for everyone.

All children 13 and younger must participate in a swimming skills test and will be assigned a green, yellow or red band. These bands assist our certified lifeguards in keeping our inexperienced swimmers safe. All swimmers will be asked to retest annually. Additionally, aquatics staff reserve the right to retest at any time if deemed necessary.

Thank you for your cooperation.

  • Youth who choose not to take a swim test
  • Those who are progressing toward the yellow and green band requirements

FAMILY POOL ACCESS (zero-depth entry)

  • Play and practice your swimming skills
  • Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket
  • Stay within arms reach of parent/guardian while actively practicing swimming skills
  • Slide use permitted once green band is achieved
     

COMPETITION POOL ACCESS

  • Play and practice your swimming skills
  • Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket
  • Stay within arms reach of parent/guardian while actively practicing swimming skills
  • Use of diving board is permitted once green band is achieved.

  • Shallow end, swim on front in horizontal position
  • Swim half the length of a 25-yard pool
  • Jump in feet first and touch bottom of pool. Surface and tread water for at least 30 seconds
  • FAMILY POOL ACCESS (zero-depth entry)

FAMILY POOL ACCESS (zero-depth entry)

  • Play and practice your swimming skills
  • May swim in designated open area
  • Parent/guardian remains on pool deck at all times.
  • Slide use permitted once green band is achieved

COMPETITION POOL ACCESS

  • Play and practice your swimming skills
  • Swim and play in shallow end, no deeper than 5 feet
  • Parent/guardian remains on pool deck at all times
  • Use of diving board is permitted once green band is achieved

  • Swim 25 yards with horizontal movement and arms out of the water
  • Jump in feet first and touch bottom of pool
  • Surface and tread water for 1 minute

FAMILY POOL ACCESS (zero-depth entry)

  • Play and practice your swimming skills
  • May swim anywhere in pool
  • Parent/guardian remains on pool deck at all times if child is younger than 12
  • May use the slide

COMPETITION POOL ACCESS

  • Play and practice your swimming skills
  • May swim anywhere in the pool.
  • Parent/guardian remains on pool deck at all times if child is younger than 12
  • May use the diving board


** Because our pools vary in depth, a swimmer assessed in a shallow pool may be asked to repeat an assessment at a deeper pool.**