NEW BAND TEST RULES FOR THE 2024 SEASON:
ANYONE 13 AND UNDER MUST TAKE THE BAND TEST.
The band test must be taken every year.
Strokes allowed for the band test:
– Freestyle – the swimmers’ arms and legs should be moving simultaneously and in sync with one another. Their arms and legs should be fully extended and stretched the whole lap. Their body must be at an equal level in the water and not dragged downward. The face does not have to be in the water.
– Breaststroke – the swimmer leans on the chest, arms breaking the surface of the water slightly, legs always underwater, and arms (not hands) moving in a circular motion under the water. The kick is sometimes referred to as a “frog kick” because of the resemblance to the movement of a frog’s hind legs.
NOT ALLOWED – backstroke, doggie paddle, swimming underwater, feet touching the ground/stopping at any time.
If you have any questions or doubts about the strokes, a lifeguard will show you how to properly swim the stroke before the test to avoid any confusion.
Band Levels:
- NON-SWIMMER (No Band) – Any child who has not qualified for a swim band must be accompanied by an adult or Approved babysitter. While the child is in the pool, the adult or Approved Babysitter must be physically present on the immediate deck area or in the water to supervise the NON-SWIMMER – this will be up to the discretion of the Manager or Assistant Manager, or appointed Head Lifeguard on duty.
- NOVICE (orange and white tye dye band) – Any child who can swim one lap of the pool (25 yards), in a freestyle or breaststroke motion (no doggie paddle), and is able to tread water for one minute, will be allowed to use the pool without being accompanied by an adult. He/She will only be permitted to use the shallow/middle area of the main pool.
- SWIMMER (Red, white and blue band) – Any child who can swim 2 laps of the pool (50 yards), freestyle or breaststroke (no doggie paddle), tread water for two minutes, and can jump or dive off the diving board, will be permitted to use any area of the pool without being accompanied by an adult.
NOT ALLOWED – backstroke, floating on the back of any sort, doggie paddle, swimming underwater, feet touching the ground, and stopping at any time.
– Non-swimmers (no band) and Novice swimmers (orange tye dye) will be allowed in the diving well ONLY WITH DIRECT SUPERVISION of an adult or Approved babysitter, AND with the approval of the Lifeguard.
The Pool Manager, Assistant Manager, or appointed Lifeguard, will have the final decision as to the qualifications and classification of any child. The Pool Manager, Assistant Manager, or Lifeguard can require any person to take a rest period if they judge it to be necessary. Anyone above the age of 13 may also be restricted from certain areas of the pool by the Manager or his/her representative if he/she feels the swimmer lacks the ability to continue safely.
The Pool Manager, Assistant Manager, or Head Lifeguard may ask a swimmer to retake the band test at any time if they feel the swimmer is a safety risk. The Pool Manager, Assistant Manager, Head Lifeguard, and appointed lifeguards will administer the swimming test. The decision of the number of times a child can take the test in a 24-hour period is up to the Manager, Assistant Manager, and/or the Head Guard on duty.