WORA Pool Safety Rules and Regulations
The Willow Oaks Recreational Association has established the following rules and regulations for the benefit and safety of all users of the pool facilities. Parents should make sure their children understand and follow these rules, and obey the instructions of the pool manager, assistant manager, and lifeguards. Parents and guardians are respon-sible for the behavior of their children and their guests.
Photographs will be used to identify pool members. Members entering the pool area must have submitted a group or individual photograph of each individual listed on the Membership Agreement. Members will be asked to sign in at the gate.
The following disciplinary actions are in effect for failure to comply with the pool rules:
· First Offense…………Warning
· Second Offense……….One-day suspension
· Third Offense…………One-week suspension
· Fourth Offense………..Suspended for remainder of season
Enforcement of the rules is the responsibility of the on-duty manager. The pool management may request longer suspensions than stated in the guidelines based on the nature of the offense. Patrons may appeal suspensions of one week or longer to the WORA vice president.
1. Members under 8 who swim in the main pool must be accompanied by someone 13 years or older. However, children 6 or 7 may swim unaccompanied – with a parent’s signed approval – if they have demonstrated swimming proficiency to the satisfaction of the pool manager or assistant manager. The minimum proficiency is the ability of the child to swim one length of the pool unassisted. Any guest 8 or younger must be accompanied by an adult.
2. Non-swimmers under 8 may wear flotation devices only if the supervising adult has his/her feet in the water, is within 10 feet of the child, and is actively monitoring the child’s safety.
3. The wading pool is not under lifeguard supervision and is reserved for use ty children 7 and under. Children using the wading pool must be supervised by someone 13 years or older. Children may use safe water toys in the wading pool.
4. No cloth or disposable diapers will be allowed in the water. “Swimmies” are required for all children who wear diapers.
5. Anyone with infectious, open or bandaged sores may not use the pool. Spouting of water (by mouth) and similar unhygienic actions are not permitted.
6. No glass containers are allowed in the pool, pool deck area or bathhouse.
7. Food and drink may not be carried or consumed within 12 feet of the water surface. Littering is prohibited.
8. Children under 13 are not permitted in the grilling area without an adult present.
9. Patrons who are dirty or using suntan lotion must shower before entering the pool.
10. Running or horseplay in the pool area is prohibited. Patrons may not climb on the fence or the structures in the pool area. Swimmers may not sit, stand or play on pool ropes or lane lines.
11. One person is allowed on the diving board at a time. Divers may bounce on the board one time before diving. Diving and jumping from the side of the board are not permitted. There will be no ball playing from the diving board. A diver must reach the side of the pool before the next person may dive or jump from the board.
12. Swimming by non-divers in the diving board area is prohibited unless the board is not in use and the lifeguard monitoring the diving board area sanctions the swimming. Swimmers will leave the diving area when divers wish to use the board.
13. Any flotation devices that hinder a lifeguard’s visibility in monitoring all swimmers are prohibited. Footballs, Frisbees and other objects which, by their material or construction pose a likelihood of injury to others, are prohibited from use in the pool and pool deck area. Nerf-type balls and the basic plastic foam “noodles” are permitted provided they are used in a safe manner. A swimmer may use only a single, standard-size noodle. The pool manager or assistant manager has the prerogative to limit the use of Nerf balls and “noodles” during periods of higher summer volume.
14. Swimmers may wear goggles; snorkeling is prohibited.
15. The pool will be cleared of children under the age of 17 from 45 minutes past the hour to the hour to permit adult swimming and a rest period for children. During these 15-minute periods, an adult may be accompanied in the pool by one non-swimmer under the age of 8 for the purpose of instruction.
16. Tipping, rocking or use of pool chairs for other than their intended use is prohibited. Patrons are responsible for any damage they cause by willful misuse.
17. Bikes must be parked at the rack provided in the parking lot. Skateboards, scooters, roller skates, roller blades and other like articles are prohibited in and around the pool.
18. Smoking is prohibited within the pool area and bathhouse.
19. Pets are not allowed within the pool area.
20. No profanity is allowed. Radios and CD players are not permitted on the pool deck within 12 feet of the water surface. Such equipment may be used in other pool areas if not disturbing to other patrons.
21. Adult members may use the grilling area as long as the member building the fire maintains control at all times until the coals are burned out, and cleans the grill and area after use. No children or swimmers are allowed near hot coals.
22. The pool manager or assistant manager may close the pool at any time due to operational difficulties, inclement weather and, at their professional discretion, to resolve situations they deem might pose a risk to patrons.
23. To protect the filtering system, cut-off clothing may not be worn in the pool.
24. Cars may not be parked overnight in the lot.
25. Under no circumstances shall a member or guest enter the water of the main pool without a lifeguard on duty in the area.
The WORA and pool management are not responsible for personal property that is lost, damaged or stolen within the pool facility or parking lot. The pool staff will hold “found” articles for two weeks before disposing of them.