Pool Rules
Check in Policy | Program Age Requirement | Aquatic Age Requirement | General Facility Rules |Pool Rules | Tank Rules | Sauna Rules |Swimming Lesson Rules | Lap Swimming Rules |Open Swim Rules | Equipment Use Rules |Swim Diaper Policy | Locks and Lockers | Locker Room Policy
The William Shore Pool strictly enforces these policies. If you are not able to follow these policies, your admission/pass will be suspended and asked to leave.
Check-In Policy
All Patrons must check in at the front desk.
Program Age Requirements
Youth 8 and older can participate in open, lap, and family swims without parental supervision. Youth 7 and under must be accompanied in the water by a responsible adult, 18 years or older.
- Children 6 and older must use the locker room of their gender.
- The Family Changing room is reserved for persons with disabilities and families with older children of different genders.
- Lifeguards must be on duty before swimmers are allowed in the water.
- The William Shore Memorial Pool reserves the right to prohibit or eject any person who may endanger the safety of others or self or cause offense to others.
- Smoking is not allowed in the facility or within 25 feet of any doors, windows, or vents.
- Food and drinks are not allowed in the locker rooms, family-changing room or inside the deck fence.
- Glass containers are not allowed in the facility.
- The William Shore Memorial Pool is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
- Lost and found items will be given to charity after 2 weeks.
- No changing on deck.
- Persons with infections or open wounds are not allowed in the pools.
- Every person must take a warm, soapy shower before entering the pool.
- Appropriate swimwear must be worn.
- Plastic pants with a cloth diaper or swim diapers must be worn by patrons needing protection in the pools. Disposable diapers are not allowed.
- Street shoes must be clean to be allowed on the pool deck.
- Only service animals are allowed in the facility and must remain in the lobby and/or spectator areas.
- Persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not allowed in the facility.
- Day Camps must provide one adult per 5 children under 8 years of age.
- Children 7 years and under must be accompanied by an adult in the water within arms reach at all times regardless of swimming ability.
- Distracting, splashing or disobeying the lifeguards is not allowed.
- Only forward, feet first jumps are allowed off the sides of the pools where diving is not allowed.
- No hanging or sitting on the lane lines or buoy lines.
- The competitive starting blocks are only used during instructional or competitive swim program times in the presence of a coach or other trained instructor.
- Non-swimmers must stay in shallow water of less than chest depth or with an adult who is in water of less than chest depth regardless if they are wearing or using a flotation device.
- Patron’s floats and toys are allowed during swims and must be clean and approved by the supervisor before entering the pool.
- Patrons must be able to comfortably swim the width of the shallow end with their face in the water if they wish to go off the diving board or swim in the dive tank.
- The dive tank is off limits for swimming when the diving board is in operation.
- Diving is only allowed in the dive tank from the side when the diving board is closed.
- When diving from the board, leave only forward or backwards from the end of the board. Patrons must leave the board in a standing position.
- Only one person on the diving board at a time.
- Each patron on the diving board must wait until the previous patron has reached the pool ladder and is climbing out of the pool before going off the board.
- Patrons must dive or jump straight off the end of the diving board.
- Patrons must swim in a safe and quick manner to the closest pool ladder and climb out of the pool immediately.
- The maximum capacity is 10 patrons at any one time.
- Patrons 15 years of age and over may use the sauna.
- Every person must take a shower before and after entering the sauna.
- Pregnant women, elderly persons and patrons suffering from heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure should use caution and consult their physician before using the sauna.
- Patrons should limit their stay in the sauna to 15 minutes at any one session.
- Exercising is not allowed in the sauna.
- Students may not enter the water until their instructor begins class.
- Students must stay with their instructor at all times when in the pool.
- Lifejackets may be used on diving board during swimming lessons and in the presence of a trained instructor only.
- Students must get out of the pool when the lessons end. Instructors need to make sure all of their students are out before they leave the class area.
- There are no make-up days for lessons. If the pool cancels for any reason, a credit will be placed on the student’s account.
- All pool rules apply.
- All patrons in lap lanes must swim laps. Maximum occupancy is 8 patrons per lane unless otherwise designated, i.e. water walking, swimming lessons, therapy groups. Individuals not swimming laps will be asked to leave the lap lanes.
- Equipment such as pull buoys, masks, fins, snorkels and paddles may be used.
- Open to all ages. Children must be able to swim at the same pace as the slowest swimmer.
- When the lap lanes become crowded, patrons will be asked to swim in a circular direction. During this time, patrons will need to swim in a lane that matches their swimming speed. Please use proper swimming etiquette as follows:
- Swim to the right of your lane at all times
- When passing another swimmer, pass to the person’s left, down the middle of the lane at full speed. Once you have finished passing, swim to the right of the lane again.
- When being passed, slow down until the overtaking swimmer has completely passed you.
- If someone is at your heels, when you reach the wall pause to let that person pass.
- When swimming into the wall, keep to the right (not the middle or the left) so that if a person is passing you at the end of a lane they will have space to turn.
- When standing at the wall of a lane, stand to the left (when facing the wall) whenever possible to allow space for the incoming swimmers.
- If a problem should arise, be sure to let the lifeguard know.
- If you are swimming faster than others are in your lane, move to a faster lane. If you are swimming slower than others in your lane, move to a slower lane.
- If you want to stretch out or do other exercises in the water, use the appropriate part of the pool.
- Maximum occupancy is 234.
- All flotation devices including mats and inner tubes must remain in the shallow section of the pool.
- Patrons must be able to comfortably swim the width of the shallow end with their face in the water if they wish to go off the diving board or swim in the dive tank.
- No standing on mats or inner tubes, both must be kept at least 3’ from the pool edge.
- Soft, inflatable balls and toys may be used at the lifeguards’ discretion
- No running.
- Talking to, splashing or distracting the lifeguards is not permitted.
- No chicken fights or shoulder rides.
- No profane or abusive language, fighting, or other offensive behavior. Patrons engaging in these activities will be asked to leave the building.
- Dunking, pushing, spitting or other forms of horseplay are not allowed in the facility.
- Only forward, feet first jumps from the deck are allowed in shallow water. Forward feet first jumps and dives are allowed in the 12′ area. Front flips, back flips, and/or back dives are not permitted from the side of the pool.
- Anyone wearing a life-jacket is assumed to be a non-swimmer and must be within arms reach of an adult at all times.
- Kick-boards may not be sat or stood on.
- Life-jackets are available at any swim.
- Children wearing life-jackets must have an adult within arms reach or stay in water where they can touch while wearing the life jacket. Adults wearing life-jackets must stay in chest deep water where they can touch while wearing the life-jacket.
- Inflatable equipment will be restricted to the shallow end.
- Standing on, jumping on, or diving on/into the inner tubes or other inflatable equipment will not be allowed.
- If people bring their own toys, they may use them. Toys left unattended may be removed. Squirt guns may be used as long as they are used responsibly.
- Stacking of inner tubes and/or mats is not allowed.
- Inner tubes must be kept at least 3 feet from the edge of the pool.
Locks and Lockers
Lockers are available to all patrons on a daily basis only. You may choose to bring your own lock for mens room only. Personal locks may not be left on lockers overnight. Each night the locker rooms will be checked, and any locks remaining will be removed. WSMPD recommends leaving valuables at home. However, if items are brought during your visit, we recommend using a locker to store them safely.
Children 6 and over accompanied by a parent of the opposite sex must use the Family Changing Room, located near the spectator area.
