Rules

General Policies

A. Rules enforcement

  1. These rules have been enacted to provide a safe, pleasant, and efficient facility for the enjoyment of ALL members.
  2. The rules contained herein apply to all members, including members’ children, guests and other family members who enter the WHSC premises. 
  3. The official version of these rules and regulations are found on the WHSC website.  This version is the most current version and shall supersede any other versions, including those posted at the pool. A copy of the official version shall be available at the guard desk for review by members and guests.  The official version of these rules shall be enforced by the WHSC Board of Directors, the WHSC Manager and the pool staff.
  4. The WHSC Manager and his/her staff are authorized to enforce all rules established by the Board of Directors. They are also authorized to prohibit any activity which is not safe or does not keep with the general policy of the WHSC. The WHSC Manager and his/her staff are authorized and directed to institute additional rules as required to ensure the safety and enjoyment of WHSC members. 
  5. The WHSC Manager may restrict the privileges of any member, child, or guest for violating WHSC rules.
  6. Questions or concerns relating to the enforcement of these rules and regulations should be directed to the WHSC Manager.

B. Pool Access

  1. Lifeguards will control access to the pool. Access will be restricted in cases in which a) a child’s swimming ability is of concern, b) the appropriateness of a child’s behavior is in question, or c) a child is not being properly monitored by an adult.
  2. Parents/guardians are solely responsible for assessing and knowing their child(ren)’s swimming abilities, and should approach the WHSC manager if a child’s swimming ability needs to be assessed.
  3. Adult swim times will be enforced for a fifteen minute period each hour and at the discretion of the pool managers. The pool will be cleared of all children under age 18 for a fifteen minute period each hour at 12:45, 1:45, 2:45, 3:45, and 4:45 pm. Additional adult swim times may be enforced as needed. 
  4. The pool may be cleared and/or closed when deemed necessary in the judgment of the WHSC Manager, e.g., for weather, sanitary or safety reasons.  Closing notifications will be shared via the pool’s opt-in text system and on social media. Members may also call the pool to inquire about the current operating status.
  5. All or a portion of the pool may be set aside by the WHSC Manager, subject to approval by the Board, for swimming lessons or life-saving instruction, or for use by the swim team and/or dive team for instruction, practice, or competition. 

C. Diving Well Access

  1. Priority use of the diving well is for divers using the diving boards.  General swimming may be permitted at the manager’s discretion when the diving boards are not being used.
  2. Children under the age of 12 must pass the manager administered swim test to use the diving well.  The test requires the child to be able to swim the length of the pool using the freestyle stroke (no doggie paddle) and to tread water for one full minute.
  3. Persons who use the diving boards and the diving well must have sufficient swimming skill to swim across the diving well. It is parents’ or guardians’ responsibility to ensure that their children age 12 or older possess these requisite swimming skills.

D. General

  1. Postings on the bulletin boards are under the control of the WHSC Board of Directors, Manager and pool staff.
  2. Parents/guardians are responsible for the safety of their children and should monitor them at all times when using the WHSC facilities. 
  3. All persons using WHSC facilities shall assume full responsibility for any injuries incurred. The WHSC shall not be held responsible or liable for loss or damage to any personal property.

II. Admission into WHSC Facilities

 A. Admission of Members

  1. Members may not use any of the West Howard Swim Club (WHSC) facilities until all fees have been paid in full. 
  2. To ensure the integrity of the check-in process, all family members and associate members who will be using the WHSC facilities on a membership account are required to be listed in the Member Splash system, along with a headshot picture of each family member and associate member.  All children’s birthdates are required to be listed in the membership account.
  3. Members must check-in with the entry guard using their names and pictures on file.
  4. Children 12 and under will not be admitted to the pool unless accompanied by either a WHSC member age 16 or older or a paying adult guest.  The adult guest or WHSC member age 16 or older shall be responsible for continued supervision of the accompanied child(ren) while at the pool. 
  5. Children ages 13 to 18 are allowed to bring in only one guest each per pool visit.
  6. Associate members may only be admitted when accompanied by a regular member (adult or child) on a bonded membership account.

B. Admission of Guests

  1. Non-member Guest Fee: $8.00 per day per person and/or $35 per week per person. A book of 10 guest passes is available for $70.  Guest passes may be purchased online via Member Splash or at the guard desk via credit card. Cash is not accepted at the guard desk.  All members are responsible for any processing fees associated with purchase. Toddlers age 2 and under may be admitted free of charge. 
  2. Guests aged 18 or older must bring a picture ID upon entering WHSC for ease of check-in.
  3. Each guest must be accompanied by a sponsoring WHSC member for the duration of their visit to WHSC.  Associate members may not bring in guests unless accompanied by a regular member.
  4. The number of guests a member may bring in at any one time may be limited by the Board of Directors. 

C. Guest Exclusions

  1. Persons residing within a 10 mile radius of the WHSC who are not members may be admitted as guests to the WHSC facilities a total of 6 times per season and upon payment of the guest fee for each visit. .
  2. The WHSC Manager may restrict the entry of guests at any time as deemed necessary.

III. WHSC Facilites and Grounds Rules

A. Use of the Pool and Wading Pool

  1. No person is allowed to use the pool unless lifeguards are on duty. 
  2. A parent or guardian must accompany any non-swimmer children in the pool and be within arm’s reach at all times.  
  3. Recreational swimmers must stay out of the lap lanes.
  4. The wading pool is for use by children six (6) years old and under, at the discretion of the manager. Children using the wading pool must be supervised at all times by an adult who is located inside the fenced-in perimeter of the wading pool. 
  5. Children who are not yet toilet-trained must wear swim diapers. Regular diapers are not allowed.
  6. Members and guests should shower before entering the pool. A footwash station is provided to rinse off any sand, dirt or mud before entering the pool.

B. Pool Floats, Flotation Devices, Toys, etc.

  1. Pool floats are not permitted in the pool, the diving well or the wading pool. 
  2. Only life vests approved by the U.S. Coast Guard may be used in the pool.  No other types of flotation devices are permitted.  Any child using a life vest must be within arm’s reach of a parent or guardian in the pool at all times.
  3. Pool noodles are permitted, but may not be used for rough play or as noisemakers.
  4. Fins, masks, snorkels, etc. may be used at the discretion of the WHSC Manager.
  5. Use of pool toys in the pool is permitted at the discretion of the WHSC manager.
  6. It is impermissible to throw toys or other objects into or out of the pool. 
  7. Water balloons are not permitted anywhere on WHSC property, with the exception of the refillable type of water balloons, which are permitted.
  8. Squirt guns are prohibited in the pool and on the pool deck. They may only be used behind the fence in the grassy play area. 

C. Diving Well  

  1. Flip dives into the water from the side of the pool are not permitted. However, front dives into the dive well from the sides of the dive well are permitted.
  2. Divers are not permitted to jump off the diving board towards another person in the water.  
  3. Only one person is allowed on each diving board at a time.
  1. Divers using the diving boards must wait on the deck until the previous diver in the water has reached the ladder.
  2. Only one bounce on the diving board is permitted before each dive.
  3. Inward facing dives, backward dives and back flips off the diving boards are not permitted during recreational pool use.  Front flips off the diving boards are permitted.
  4. Diving or jumping towards the walls is not permitted.
  5. Pool noodles and flotation devices are not allowed in the diving well or on the diving boards. 

D. WHSC Grounds

  1. Members and guests shall stay clear of the lifeguard stands and not distract guards from their duties.
  2. Arguing with the guards will not be tolerated and will be subject to consequences by the Board.
  3. Abusive, bullying or foul language is not permitted on the pool grounds. This includes in the Gaga Ball pit, on the playground, the tennis courts and the basketball court. 
  4. Running on the pool deck is not permitted.
  5. Pushing, wrestling and other rough play is prohibited. This includes any person on another person’s shoulders.
  6. The deck area should be kept clear of objects at all times for safety reasons.
  7. All injuries should be reported immediately to the WHSC Manager on duty.
  8. Standing, walking, jumping, etc. on the picnic tabletops is not permitted.
  9. Climbing on or hanging from the pavilion support frames is not permitted.
  10. Pool furniture is not to be used in any manner other than its intended purpose, i.e. no building of forts, standing or walking on the chairs, etc.
  11. Climbing on, crawling under, and sitting on the wading pool fence or the perimeter fence are not permitted.
  12. Playing or wandering around outside the pool grounds perimeter fence is not permitted, except to retrieve items lost over the fence.
  13. Loitering in the shower areas is not permitted. Children may not use the bathrooms/showers as play areas.
  14. Driving with excessive speed, doing wheelies, donuts, or other vehicular stunts in the parking lot is strictly prohibited. 
  15. Bicycles are not permitted in the pool area and should be parked in the bicycle racks outside the gate near the guard desk.
  16. Roller blades, skateboards, and scooters are not allowed in the pool area.
  17. Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not permitted on the pool grounds.

E. Food, Drinks, etc.

  1. Food and drinks are to be consumed on the lawn or in the pavilion areas only.  Food and drinks are not permitted in the pool or on the pool deck.
  2. Chewing gum is not allowed in the pool.
  3. All trash must be disposed of in the receptacles provided for this purpose.
  4. No glass containers of any kind are permitted on the pool grounds. 
  5. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on pool grounds.
  6. Smoking, vaping, and the use of any tobacco products or illegal drugs is strictly prohibited on pool grounds. 

IV. Pavilion Rentals

  1. Large pavilions may be reserved for $40 for a four (4) hour block of time. Small pavilions may be reserved for $25 for a four (4) hour block of time. 
  2. Only one (1) pavilion can be rented per membership account per day, and no more than three (3) are allowed to be reserved during any four (4) hour time block for a maximum of six (6) pavilion rentals per day. 
  3. Pavilions must be reserved at least 48 hours in advance. 
  4. Canceled rentals may be rescheduled subject to availability, and refunds may be given on a case-by-case basis.
  5. Members may schedule pavilion rentals at the guard desk or through their Member Splash accounts. Payment for the rental should be made at the guard desk when checking in on the day of the rental.
  6. To enable WHSC to plan for sufficient guard staffing, members who conduct a party at the pool must notify the WHSC Manager at least 48 hours beforehand of the time, date and size (guest count) of the party. 
  7. If possible, the member renting the pavilion should provide a list of names of the expected guests to the guard desk prior to the reserved time. 
  8. Parties/rentals expecting over 30 swimmers require prior approval from the Board.  If expecting over 30 swimmers, please email board@westhowardswimclub.org.
  9. The daily guest fee must be paid for all non-member guests, either by the guests upon entry, or by the member reserving the pavilion. The member may use guest passes from their membership account for party guests.
  10. The wading pool pavilion and main pavilion are not available for rental.