Aquatics

Aquatics at the Y are designed to teach personal water safety, stroke development, water sports and games, rescue and personal growth skills. Aquatics offers classes ranging from post rehab to advanced cardio workouts. We offer swim lessons for all ages. Come get in our water. Water exercise provides low-impact resistance against muscles to boost the heart rate and improve strength and heart health. Water itself provides support to members who have balance and strength weaknesses. Our water is a good starting point, recommended by doctors in our area. Once you build strength and endurance there are plenty of water aerobics classes to take you further. Even with the great number of classes and lessons going on there is always room for lap swimming. So whether you are just starting or a seasoned swimmer, our pools are open (year-around) waiting for you.

Come and play! Fountains are on. Lanes are open. The pools at the YMCA of the Shoals open before sun-up and close long after the sun goes down. Come work our water!

Hours of Operation
Mon – Fri: 5:30 am – 8:30 pm
Sat: 6:30 am – 4:30 pm
Sun: 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm

AQUATIC SAFETY STANDARDS

Swim Test and Earning an Ankle band:

TEST. MARK. PROTECT. 

  • Youth 13 years and younger must take a swim test and have a guardian 19 years or older on the pool deck.
  • Lifeguards may require any patron of the YMCA to perform a swim test at any time regardless of age.
  • All swimmers 13 years and younger will receive an ankle band they must wear each time they swim.

To earn a Blue Band, swimmers must:

  1. Jump into deep water and resurface
  2. Swim 15 yards non-stop in good form
  3. Perform resting float for 30 seconds consistently
  4. Swim back to wall in good form
  5. Exit the water without using a ladder or steps:
  • Swimmers may not touch the pool gutter, wall, ladder, floor, or lane lines for the duration of the swim test.
  • Goggles are allowed.
  • Swimmers must swim independently. They may not swim with guardians, siblings, friends, and/or others during their swim test.

To earn a Red Band, swimmers must:

  1. Jump in at 3 1/2  feet of water.
  2. Swim with face in water with each arm coming out of the water with each stroke.
  3. Tread water for 60 seconds.
  4. Perform a resting float for 60 seconds.
  5. Swim back in good form as before.

*Youth age 10 years and above with a red swim band may be in Aquatic Center independently as long as guardian is in the Y facility.

No Band Assigned

Those who do not pass the swim test or those who decline to take the swim test are considered non-swimmers.  Non-swimmers:

  • Must be supervised by a guardian 19 years or older in the water within arms’ reach, OR must wear a weight appropriate U.S. Coast Guard Approved personal flotation device (PFD).
  • Must maintain a 1:1 guardian/non-swimmer ratio when not wearing an approved PFD.

POOL SAFETY AND ETIQUETTE

Visitors to the Pool will be expected to:

  • Have a parent/guardian on the deck (10 and under)
  • Take a swim test (13 and under)
  • Shower before entering water
  • Use only U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation devices
  • Comply with swim wear dress code:
    • No cutoffs, thongs or string bikinis
    • Keep swimsuits tied and fastened at all times
    • Keep swim diapers on infants and toddlers (please change swim diapers in family locker rooms)

Visitors to the Pool will be expected to REFRAIN from:

  • Horseplay, running, shoving, dunking, OR breath holding
  • Bringing glass containers or food onto the pool deck
  • Visiting if experiencing sickness or fever
  • The use of gum, tobacco or vaping
  • Sitting or hanging on the lane ropes
  • Bringing animals on the pool deck
  • The use of inflatable flotation devices
  • The use of Kickboards, Pull Buoys, Swim Paddles, Pool Noodles and equipment reserved for lap swimmers, swim team, and swim lessons
  • Diving unless in designated areas

YMCA lifeguards have the right to ask any patron to leave for noncompliance with safety rules and etiquette.