Aquatic Policy and Procedures

Welcome to ARPD's Swim Lesson sessions! We are excited to host Swim lessons for all ages! ARPD Aquatics Department offers 30-minute classes taught by Starfish Certified Swim Instructors! Swim Lessons are offered on weekdays and weekends to fit everyone's schedule best! Whether you are 6 months or an adult, it's never too early or late to learn to swim! Register for your lesson today!

Registration Policies

Refunds and Transfers:

Thank you for registering with ARPD Aquatics! Per our policy, there will be a $20 fee for any transfer of activity and or cancellation per activity/registration that is made 7 days before the start day of the activity. For transfer of activity and or cancellation made within 7 days of the program start day, there is no guarantee for a refund or credit unless your spot can be filled by another participant. A $20 withdrawal fee is still charged if a substitute is found. We do NOT issue make-ups for any days you miss. If weather conditions are deemed too severe by a lead/supervisor, you will be notified, and a refund will be reimbursed for that missed day. If you are later than 10 minutes past your lesson start time, you will be considered late, and the class will be canceled for that day, with no makeup.

Arrival and Departure Procedures

A few things to expect when you arrive:

• You MUST check in WITH your child at the FRONT DESK. Failure to do so will result in the child not participating in the activities. 

• You must get your child from the exit gate on the outside of the pool deck premises. We will not release the child out of our facility without a parent/guardian present.

• All participants must rinse off BEFORE entering the water.

• All participants will be tested and run over safety protocols on the FIRST day of EACH Swim Session. 

Please wait outside the gate until the lesson is over. NO PARENTS will be permitted on the pool deck during the Swim lesson. After the lesson, you can meet your child at the exit. 

How We Are Staying Safe:

We have a Wrap-n-Go policy. We ask that students arrive in their swimsuits and immediately after class, wrap in a towel. Locker rooms and showers will be open to the public.

Please do not change your children on our pool deck. 

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email!

Pool Policies

Shower before Swimming

**For Your Safety and Pool Cleanliness**

Showering before you swim helps protect against recreational water illnesses (RWIs) that can result from swallowing or inhaling contaminated water. These illnesses may cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.

A quick shower removes sweat, body oils, and germs that can disrupt the pool's pH balance. Maintaining proper pH levels ensures chlorine works effectively, keeping the water clean and reducing the need for additional chemicals.

Showering helps remove sweat, oils, lotions, and pollutants that can affect water clarity and strain the pool’s filtration system. This keeps the pool looking and feeling its best.

Personal care products often contain chemicals that can interfere with pool water chemistry. Showering before swimming minimizes these effects, helping to maintain the pool’s balance.

Thank you for helping us keep our pool safe and clean for everyone!

Class Cancel/Time Change

Classes may be combined or canceled if fewer than two (2) children are registered. If a class does not meet the minimum enrollment, it will be canceled. Participants will be notified and given the choice to register for another available class or receive a full refund.

Parents Watching

Currently, parents can watch swim lessons but must stay behind the gate and away from the pool. This rule helps prevent parent coaching and keeps swimmers focused on their instructors.

Shouting: Do not shout instructions to your child from the side of the pool while they are in class. It is essential to allow the teacher to lead activities without interruption.

Timeliness

Please make sure your student is on time for lessons. Lessons begin and end at very specific times. Please arrive early enough so your student has time to stop by the bathroom, get changed, and get rinsed off before the lesson begins. If your student is more than 10 minutes late for a lesson, he or she will not be allowed to join that lesson.  Nor will a refund or make-up be given.

We’re so glad you’ve chosen to register with ARPD Aquatics! Below, you’ll find some important information about our policies and procedures to help ensure your experience with us is as smooth as possible:

Registration Policies

Refunds and Transfers:

Parents have the option to unenroll, request a refund, or transfer their registration from February 19 to April 18. After April 18, we will no longer issue refunds, although transfers may still be possible with certain limitations.

If you have any questions or need to request changes, don’t hesitate to contact the Aquatics Department at arpdaquatics@alamedaca.gov. When you reach out, please include the participant's name, activity details, and a contact phone number. We'll do our best to respond within three business days.

Arrival and Departure Procedures

Sign-In and Sign-Out:

To ensure everyone’s safety, parents or guardians must sign their child in upon arrival. Please note that children won’t be able to participate in activities unless they are signed in. At the end of the day, it’s important that an authorized parent or guardian signs them out. Sign-out will take place at the Enincal High School semi-circle parking lot by the jet.

Release Policy:

For everyone's safety, we will only release a child from our facility with an authorized adult present unless management has made and approved prior arrangements.

Thank you for your attention to these matters and for helping us create a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone!

POOL RULES

• Children under 16 must be accompanied to the facility by a paying adult (18+).

• A paying adult must accompany children 8 years and under in the water. The adult must always be within arm’s reach of the child.

• A qualified lifeguard must be on duty before patrons enter the pool area. 

• Everyone must shower before entering the pool. 

• All persons entering the pool area must pay admission.

• Anyone suspected of having an infection, sore, or skin disease will not be permitted in the pool.

• There is NO RUNNING permitted anywhere in the facility. This includes the pool deck, locker rooms, and inside the building.

• Pushing, dunking, and other types of “rough-housing” are NOT permitted.

• Feet first entries ONLY in areas where depth is 9 feet or less.

• Flips, jack-knives, or cannonballs are prohibited off the pool's edge.

• Non-toilet-trained swimmers, including incontinence, must wear a watertight swim diaper in the pool.

• The City of Alameda is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

• Coast Guard-approved flotation devices are allowed only with adult supervision.

• All swimmers must wear proper swim attire (trunks and/or swimsuits). Un-hemmed pants or cut-offs are not permitted.

• Hanging, sitting, or playing on the lane lines is prohibited.

• Glass containers are not permitted within the facility.

• Smoking, other tobacco products, alcohol, drugs, and gambling are prohibited.

• Abusive or profane language will not be permitted. Patrons engaging in harassing and/or violent behavior will receive immediate removal from the pool facility.

• Radios are not permitted.

• Keep ladders and steps clear. Hanging on ladders, railings, or diving boards is not permitted.

• Obey the pool staff at all times. Failure to follow the rules could result in ejection from the facility.

• Pets are not allowed. Although service animals are allowed on deck, they are not allowed in the water.

• In an emergency, call 911 and notify a lifeguard or staff immediately.

• All changing must be done in the changing rooms. Children 6 years and older must use the gender-appropriate changing rooms. Please do not change your children on our pool deck. 

Diving Board Rules

• A diving board swim test is required for swimmers aged 17 and under by a lifeguard/head guard on shift.

• Persons wearing Coast Guard flotation devices are not allowed off the diving board.

• One person at a time on the board.

• One bounce, forward dives, and jumps only.

• Dives and jumps must be straight off the end of the board.

• Wait until the previous diver is to the side of the pool or past the rope before getting on the board.

• The hands must enter the water first on all head-first dives.

• After diving or jumping, swim to the nearest ladder and exit the pool, or swim in a straight line past the rope toward the shallow end.

• No sitting, playing, or hanging on diving boards.

• Swimming in the diving area is not permitted.

Failure to adhere to any of the above rules or additional rules posted in the pool area will result in expulsion from the pool area for the remainder of the day. Only one (1) warning will be given.

*The Pool Manager may expel any person from the pool who is violating these rules or whose conduct or condition is jeopardizing the health, safety, or pleasure of others. Your health and safety are our primary concerns. These rules are enforced to ensure a safe and enjoyable area to swim. Alameda Recreation & Parks Department is not responsible for lost or stolen items.*