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Swimming Admission

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Before you swim, ensure you meet the Aquatic Admission standards:​​

May We Swim?

Insert the number of swimmers in each age category. Scroll down for swim test information.

Pool Guidelines and Swimming Admission

All swim participants five (5) years of age or younger must be directly supervised by a parent/guardian who is at least fourteen (14) years of age. The parent/guardian must be in the water wearing bathing attire, within arm’s reach of the swimmer, and able to render immediate assistance. There is a maximum of 2 children per parent/guardian. (Orange wristband)

Swim participants between six (6) and nine (9) years of age who are unable to pass the facility swim test must be directly supervised by a parent/guardian who is at least fourteen (14) years of age. The parent/guardian must be in the water wearing bathing attire, within arm’s reach of the swimmer, and able to render immediate assistance.(Yellow wristband)

  • ​There is a maximum of 2 children per parent/guardian unless all children are wearing a lifejacket. If all swimmers are between six (6) and nine (9) years of age, and are wearing a lifejacket, one parent/guardian can directly supervise up to eight (8) swimmers.​

  • If any swimmers are 5 years of age or younger, a parent/guardian may only supervise up to 2 children.​
Swim participants between six (6) and nine (9) years of age who are able to pass the facility swim test must be accompanied by a parent/guardian who is at least fourteen (14) years of age. The parent/guardian must maintain visual contact with the participant and remain within the pool enclosure at all times.

Participants with serious medical conditions should be accompanied by individuals knowledgeable of their condition and who are responsible for their direct supervision within​ the pool enclosure at all times. ​​

​Depending on the Facility and swim type, the following equipment can be available for public use:

  • PFD's (Personal Flotation Device)
  • Noodles
  • Kick Boards/Flutter Boards
  • Pull Buoys
  • Toys (Balls, Mats)
  • Aquafit (Weights, Belts, Paddles)

Equipment can be used at the discretion of the Aquatic Staff, host facility, and swim type. ​​

To maintain a safe, hygienic, and welcoming environment for all guests, appropriate swimming/bathing attire is required in all aquatic and wellness spaces including swimming pools, hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas. 

Permitted Attire

Guests must wear clean attire designed and intended for swimming or aquatic activities, including:

  • One-piece or two-piece swimsuits
  • Swim trunks, board shorts, or jammers
  • Rash guards and swim shirts
  • Burkinis and other culturally or religiously appropriate swimwear
  • Modest swimwear specifically designed for aquatic use
  • Aquatic footwear designed for wet environments (optional)

Attire Requirements

All swimwear must:

  • Be clean and used specifically for swimming or aquatic activities
  • Be made of lightweight material intended for use in water
  • Provide appropriate coverage and remain opaque when wet
  • Allow safe participation in aquatic activities
  • Does not create a health or safety risk to the wearer or other guests

Prohibited Attire

The following are not permitted in pools, hot tubs, steam rooms, or saunas:

  • Street clothing worn into the facility
  • Underwear, boxers, briefs, bras, or other undergarments worn as swimwear
  • Denim, jeans, cut-off shorts, cargo pants, or clothing with excessive metal fasteners
  • Clothing with long dangling straps, chains, or accessories that may create a safety hazard
  • Outdoor footwear
  • Clothing that is transparent or inappropriate for a public recreation environment

Nudity

The City of Brampton is committed to providing inclusive, family-friendly recreation environments.

  • Nudity is prohibited in all public areas of recreation centres. 
  • Patrons must use designated change rooms and shower facilities for changing
  • Participants are expected to wear activity-appropriate clothing and proper bathing attire when using aquatic facilities or participating in water-based programs
  • Appropriate swimwear providing coverage of the genital and buttocks area must be worn at all times

Children

  • Children who are not toilet trained must wear a swim diaper or other approved aquatic containment garment designed to prevent leakage​

  • Private lessons and coaching in the pool is strictly prohibited.​
  • No horseplay.
  • Hyperventilation and repetitive breath-holding during all recreational swimming is prohibited​.
  • No food or drinks in glass containers are permitted in the pool or on the pool deck area.
  • All participants must adhere to the Aquatics Admission standards.
  • To ensure the privacy of others, cell phones, filming and/or photography are not permitted during swimming programs or drop-in recreational swims.
  • Bathing/swimming attire must be worn in facility swimming pools. Bathing/swimming attire is defined as clothing that is clean and used specifically for the purpose of swimming, at the facility's discretion.
  • The City of Brampton Good Behaviour Guidelines must be adhered to at all times.
  • Access to on-deck amenities such as saunas, hot tubs or steam rooms will be at the discretion of facility staff and scheduled programming​.​

The test will take place in the shallow water and will be administered by the designated aquatics staff. Requirements are set by the host facility.

Note: A Facility Swim Test may be required regardless of age or swim type prior to entering designated pool areas at the discretion of the aquatic staff.​

​To ensure the privacy of others, cell phones, filming and/or photography are not permitted during swimming programs or recreational swims. Specific times may be allotted for personal photography. Please speak with staff for more information.

In all cases, the use of any device capable of rendering a photographic image is prohibited in showers, change rooms, washrooms and adjoining areas.

​When joining a lane swim please use the following etiquette 

  • 1-2 swimmers per lane: Enter and exit only at the lane ends. Swim continuously back and forth, staying on your side of the lane.
  • 3 or more swimmers per lane: Enter and exit only at the lane ends. Swim in a counter-clockwise circle pattern, keeping to the right side of the lane. Use the center of the lane for passing only, then return to the right.

Types of Lanes: 

  • Slow lane: For continuous length swimming at a relaxed and leisurely pace.
  • Medium lane: For continuous swimming with minimal breaks between lengths.
  • Fast lane: For continuous swimming at a faster pace with little to no breaks between lengths.
  • Fitness lane: (if available): For water-based exercise.

​Ensuring long hair is tied back while participating in swimming lessons will help ensure your child is performing the necessary skills properly. Long hair can interfere with proper breathing techniques, as it often gets in the child’s face and mouth. Also, children often have to stop and stand up when swimming lengths to move their hair; therefore, hindering the child’s ability to build their strength and endurance.

Ensuring long hair is tied back will also help maintain the pools cleanliness and make everyone’s experience much more enjoyable.

Please ensure fingernails are trimmed to a safe length before participating in aquatic programs to help prevent accidental scratches to other participants and instructors.​​

​Occasionally lessons may be cancelled due to mechanical or chemical issues. We will do our best to compensate you for lost program time. 

Make-up classes or compensation will not be available due to participant illness or personal commitments.

​Pool fouling can result in delays in programming or temporary pool closures. Thank you for your support in keeping our pools clean and safe:

  • ​Please do not feed children one hour prior to their swimming program.
  • Please be sure to take your child to the washroom prior to their swimming program.
  • Please ensure that all children who are not toilet trained are in appropriate attire (e.g. Little Swimmers disposable swim pant product).
  • Please consider how your child is feeling before bringing them to their lesson.

A colour-coded wristband system is in place at City of Brampton swimming pools for children ages 13 and under. This system is in place to help staff quickly assess participant supervision requirements and swimming ability. 

Orange Wristband:

Participants five (5) years of age and younger who are accompanied by a parent/guardian who is at least fourteen (14) years of age. The parent/guardian must be in the water in appropriate bathing attire and within arm’s reach of the swimmer.  A 2:1 swimmer to parent/guardian ratio must be maintained.

Red Wristband: 

Participants between six (6) and nine (9) years of age who are unaccompanied by a parent/guardian in the water. A Facility Swim Test is required. If the participant does not pass the Facility Swim Test, admission is denied or a parent/guardian who is at least fourteen (14) years of age must accompany them in the water in appropriate bathing attire, and within arm’s reach. 

Yellow Wristband:

Participants between six (6) and nine (9) years of age who do not pass or do not wish to participate in the Facility Swim Test and are accompanied by a parent/guardian who is at least fourteen (14) years of age, in the water in appropriate bathing attire, and within arm’s reach of the swimmer. Participants are only allowed in the shallow end of the pool. A 2:1 swimmer to parent/guardian ratio must be maintained. 

Green Wristband:

Participants who have passed the Facility Swim Test and may swim in the deep end. ​The original wristband is retained and not removed, and the Green wristband is added onto the same wrist.

Wristbands are administered by aquatic staff.

All participants under fourteen (14) years of age wishing to swim in the deep end must pass a Facility Swim Test. 

Aquatic staff may sometimes request any individual regardless of age to complete the facility swim test to ensure everyone is safe in the water.

Blue Wristband:

Participants between ten (10) and thirteen (13) years of age do not require a Facility Swim Test to access the pool. However, all participants under fourteen (14) years of age wishing to swim in the deep end must pass a Facility Swim Test.​

Swimmers who are over fourteen (14) years of age do not require a wristband. 

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​Use of heated amenities for more than 15 minutes may be excessive for some. Overexposure may cause fainting. Cool down periodically and leave the hot tub if you feel nausea or dizziness.​

Private lessons and coaching in the pool is strictly prohibited.

If you have a serious medical condition, you should be accompanied by a person knowledgeable of the condition and responsible for your direct supervision.

Questions?

View a list of Frequently Asked Questions​ or visit our Contact Us page to find additional information.​​​​