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City of Vancouver Washington

Community center pool rules

Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services has developed these rules with the Washington State Health Department for the safety and the general wellbeing of our members and pool visitors.

Please help us maintain a fun and safe environment by following these rules. Failure to follow the rules can result in suspension of swimming privileges at Firstenburg and Marshall community centers.

General rules

  1. Obey all rules and directions issued by Aquatics Staff.
  2. We reserve the right to ask individuals to leave the water if their conduct is dangerous to themselves or others or is otherwise inappropriate. Repeated or serious infractions may lead to suspension of swimming privileges or permanent exclusion from the community center.
  3. If the pool reaches capacity, or the capacity for the staff present, the pool will be temporarily closed for entry. We will allow additional patrons into the pool when others exit.
  4. No swimming without lifeguard(s) on duty.
  5. No unnecessary conversation with the lifeguards on duty.
  6. Swim diapers and plastic pants are required for all children 3 and under and non-toilet trained children four and older. Both are sold at the front desk.
  7. Diapers must be changed in a designated changing area and not on the pool deck.
  8. Patrons are required to take a soap shower before entering the pool.
  9. All swimmers must be attired in appropriate swim wear. Cut-off shorts are not allowed. Thong-type swimsuits, and suits that become transparent when wet, are prohibited. Only clean T-shirts may be worn in the water and white is recommended.
  10. Street clothes and/or shoes are not allowed on the pool deck.
  11. Spectators are not allowed on the pool deck.
  12. Glass items are strictly prohibited in the pool area. Please use plastic containers.
  13. No food of any kind, drinks (other than water in plastic containers), baby oil or powder are allowed in or around the pool area or locker rooms.
  14. Profanity, unnecessary loudness and anti-social behavior will not be tolerated.
  15. Diving is allowed in designated areas only at the Marshall Pool.
  16. Swimmers are not allowed on lane lines, dividing walls, safety lines or gutters designated off-limits.
  17. Lifeguard chairs and emergency equipment are for the use of Aquatics Staff only. Do not block with personal belongings.
  18. Please lock belongings in a locker. Do not leave items unattended. Please do not bring valuables to the community center. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
  19. No alcohol, smoking or using tobacco products.
  20. If patrons appear to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs we will call the police.
  21. Camera phones are prohibited in the locker rooms.
  22. Patrons wishing to take pictures inside the pool area must obtain permission from the pool manager.
  23. Patrons with skin lesions, open sores, contagious infections or diarrhea are not permitted in the pool.
  24. It is recommended that people with heart, circulatory, or seizure problems swim with a partner.
  25. No backflips or back-dives.
  26. No dunking or excessive splashing.
  27. No running, pushing, rides on shoulders, or other rough play in the pool area or locker rooms.
  28. Children 7 and older can attend Public Swim on their own.
  29. Non-swimmers and children under 7 must not be left unattended in the pool or on the deck and must be accompanied in the water by an adult 18 or older (or parent or guardian) who shall remain within arm’s reach and responsible for their safety at all times.

Public Swim

  1. No water exercise equipment or water accessories and toys (kickboards, pull buoys, noodles, snorkels, fins, etc.), or non-US Coast Guard approved flotation devices are allowed in the pool. We have a limited supply of Coast Guard approved lifejackets available at each pool.
  2. One mat or tube per person. Mats must remain flat on the surface of the water. No tipping people over. Mats are not allowed in deep water sections, slide splash down areas, or current channel. The mats may be taken out at the lifeguard’s discretion if safety is jeopardized.
  3. Swimmers must be able to comfortably swim the width of the pool to be allowed in the deep area of Marshall Pool.

Slide rules

  1. Sliders must be at least 48-inches tall to ride the slide.
  2. Slide one at a time.
  3. Slide lying on your back only.
  4. Slide feet first only. No head-first, backward sliding, standing, kneeling, rotating, or stopping in the slide is allowed.
  5. Always enter the slide feet first.
  6. No swimsuits or shorts with metal rivets, buttons, or fasteners are allowed on the slide. 
  7. Metal objects, jewelry, glasses, goggles, and masks are not allowed on the slide.
  8. Exit the slide splashdown area quickly. No “catching” is allowed at the bottom of the slide.
  9. Wait for staff signal before proceeding down the slide.
  10. You may wear properly fitting goggles down the slide.

Family Swim and Aqua Play

All rules for Public Swim apply, plus the following:

  1. All children under 16 must be accompanied into the water by a parent or guardian.
  2. Flotation devices such water wings, foam filled suits, and floating rings are allowed during Family Swim and Aqua Play only. Water noodles and kickboards may also be used.
  3. You are welcome to bring your own safe water toys. Toy usage is at the discretion of the head guard.

Lap Swim

  1. Lap lanes are for continuous swimming or water exercise only. Playing and/or loitering in the lanes is prohibited.
  2. Aqua-joggers must cooperate with lap swimmers by jogging single file in the slow lane and allow lap swimmers to pass.
  3. Gauge the speed of other swimmers and pick a lane that is the appropriate speed for you.
  4. Notify other swimmers in the lane that you are planning to join them.
  5. If there are 3 or more swimmers in a lane, everyone must circle swim.
  6. Rest in the corners of the lane to allow access to the wall for flip turns.
  7. Do not obstruct the path of other swimmers. If you find you are being passed frequently, you are probably in the wrong lane.

Rules for children

  1. Water exercise classes, individual exercise times and lap lanes are not open to children. Swimmers 13 years and older may exercise if they are actively participating in the class or continuously swimming laps and in cooperation with other lap swimmers.
  2. Water exercise equipment is not for use by children.

Rules for groups

  1. Groups of 10 or more people must notify the Pool Manager and complete a Group Use Agreement or Pool Rental Agreement in advance of their visit. Pool Rentals must be scheduled at least one month in advance and are subject to availability. Group visits to a Public Swim are on a first-come-first-serve basis and are also subject to availability.
  2. Groups must come into their designated swim together, accompanied by the person or persons supervising them.
  3. Please adhere to the Rules for Children, and stay within the allowed adult to child ratios.
    • 1 adult for every 3 children under age 7
    • 1 adult for every 10 children age 7 and older
    • 1 adult for every 4 children of combined ages