YMCA Swim Test

All swimmers under age 14 must pass a swim test before they can be in a YMCA pool area without direct adult supervision. The swim test consists of a 25-yard swim, during which youth are asked to achieve the following:

• Jump into the pool, submerge fully, return to the surface and immediately begin swimming without pushing off the wall.
• Swim in a horizontal position on top of the water using a forward crawl or breaststroke. The swimmer's arms must achieve full extension on every stroke, and he or she must maintain one or both of the strokes for the full 25-yard swim. Pausing is only allowed when the swimmer is rotating or turning to breathe.
• Exit the pool without assistance using either the wall or pool ladder.

Policies for young children

Parents/guardians of swimmers under age 7 who pass the test must remain on-site at the pool. All swimmers age 7 and older who have passed the test may use the pool on their own.

What if my child doesn't pass?

Swimmers who do not pass the swim test must remain within arm's reach of an adult in water that is armpit level or lower. Alternatively, a parent may be in another part of the pool if the child is wearing a Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device.

Youth who have not passed the swim test may not go down slides or use pool diving boards, regardless of the presence of a parent or the use of a personal flotation device.

If you have any questions about these policies, please contact the Aquatics department of your local Y.