ABOUT SWIMMING AT OUR Y
Our Swimming Pool
Our indoor pool is generally kept at 85 degrees and can be measured at 25 yards long with 72 lengths equaling one mile. Check out the current monthly schedules on our Schedules page or stop by the Welcome Center. Lifeguards are always on duty.
SAFETY FIRST
Safety is our highest priority. The Macomb Family Y is committed to safety through Jeff Ellis and Associates. Lifeguards are drilled during unannounced quarterly audits which may occur upon your visit with us. If you see manikins or shadow silhouettes in our pool, they are there to drill the lifeguards. If you see the lifeguards in the water retrieving them, congratulate them on a job well done!
Swim Testing for Youth
Any swimmer under 18 years of age must take 1 of the 2 swim tests during recreational swims. Adults may be asked to take a swim test at the lifeguard’s discretion.
Deep End Test
- Swim one length of the pool or equivalent.
- Tread water without touching the pool sides & bottom for 1 minute.
- Deep Water Plunge: Swimmer must jump into the deep end and recover to the surface.
Shallow Water Test
- Float on back and roll to front.
- Recover from floating position to standing position.
Swimmers who cannot pass either test or refuse to take either test will be issued a Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Parents with multiple children may work/play with children within arm’s reach if they are 1:1.
Swimmers will be issued a wrist band designating the area in which they may swim. (Red – shallow with PFD, Yellow – shallow PFD not required, Green – access to all areas).
LAP SWIM
With 4 lanes, our pool is great for lap swim. During the designated lap swim times, all 4 lanes will be available. As a courtesy, please use the “circle swim” technique when more than three swimmers are in your lane.
OPEN SWIM
Just what it implies, Open Swim periods are times when the pool is open for families and individuals to just swim around. Sometimes we may need to reserve sections of the pool for private swim lessons or water exercising.
FAMILY SWIM
The Y is a great place for the whole family to enjoy time in the water together. For guidelines and information about swimming as a family, please view our FAMILY SWIM page.
ABOUT OUR AQUATICS PROGRAMS
Swim Lessons
The Y is a national leader in swim instruction and water safety. Instructors use problem solving and the guided discovery teaching approach with students to learn about swimming in five different categories:
personal water safety, personal growth, stroke development, water sports & games and rescues.
Swim classes are divided first by age and then by skill level. Our instructors are certified in CPR, AED, Oxygen Administration, First Aid, Aquatic Safety and through the Y of the USA as certified Swim Instructors.
Swim Club
Swim Club is for kids who know how to swim or have graduated from swim lessons, but are not ready to make the commitment to a competitive swim team. The Macomb Y Mini-Marlins is the perfect next step! Learn competitive stroke mechanics and experience a fun swim meet during the Swim Club session.
Swim Team
The Macomb Y Marlins is the perfect opportunity to get your child into the sport of competitive swimming. For more information, visit the Swim Team page or go to www.macombmarlins.com, the Marlins website.
Sports Camps
At Y Swim Camps, kids spend time developing skills that help both in and out of the pool. Camps typically run for a full day, with morning hours devoted to working on skills of each sport & afternoons involve new exciting experiences.
Water Fitness
The Y is committed to providing fitness for all ages. With water fitness, participants are able to increase their range of motion, strengthen their muscles and improve cardiovascular output, all while in the water.
Lifeguard & CPR Training
The Y of Metro Detroit is committed to helping educate the community on safety. Several times a year we offer both lifeguard classes and CPR training. Our lifeguard classes are through Jeff Ellis and Associates, one of the leading certifying agencies for lifeguards in the world.
Participants in the lifeguard class will receive a free book and study materials. The lifeguard class will certify participants in Ellis and Associates lifeguarding, CPR, AED, Oxygen Administration, and First Aid. To learn more about our program, please go to the Lifeguard & CPR Training page.
Scouting Swim Badge Work
If you have a troop or a pack of scouts the Y is able to help them earn their swimming badges. For $10 per scout the kids will get a Y certified swim instructor to lead them through their badge requirements. After the badge work is complete, the kids are invited to stay and play in the pool.
