Swim Admission Standard | Norfolk County

Admission standards are in place to increase the safety of young swimmers and provide additional supervision.

Facility swim test

To pass the facility swim test, a child must be able to swim two widths of the pool with his or her face in the water while using a comfortable breathing pattern. Swimmers must be able to complete the entire distance without stopping or touching the bottom of the pool.

Wrist bands

Norfolk County pools use a wristband policy and facility swim tests to identify young and at-risk swimmers.

Red wristband

Upon arrival at the facility, all children under 7 will be issued a red wristband.
Children must swim in the shallow end with a responsible parent/guardian at least 14 years old and within arm’s reach.
There will be a maximum of 2 children per parent/guardian or 4 children per parent/guardian if children are in lifejackets.

Yellow wristband

A yellow wristband will be issued to all children 7- 10 years of age upon arrival at the facility.
They must swim in the shallow end with a responsible parent/guardian who is a minimum of 14 years of age and within arm’s reach at all times. There will be a maximum of 2 children per parent/guardian or 4 children per parent/guardian if children are in lifejackets.
Children 7- 10 years of age who are swimmers and would like to swim in the deep end will need to successfully complete the facility swim test.
When a child passes the facility swim test, he/she will receive a green wristband and this information will be recorded in our system.

Green wristband

A green wristband will be issued to all children 7 – 10 years of age who have successfully completed the facility swim test.
A green wristband indicates to lifeguards that they are able to swim in any area of the pool without a parent/guardian.
We suggest that parents/guardians continue to swim with their children regardless of their swimming ability.
Please note – children with green wristbands may be asked to retake the test if lifeguards are concerned that the child cannot successfully demonstrate the facility swim test.