Safe use of our pools
Supervising your children
All children aged 10 years and under must be supervised by a caregiver aged 17 years and over.
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Actively supervising means:
- You are watching your children aged 4 years and under within arms' reach
- You are ready to help your children aged 5-10 years immediately. You should be near your children so you can hear them and they can hear you.
We do not consider you to be actively supervising if you are using a mobile phone, or in a sauna or spa.
Adult-to-child ratios
The Auckland Council Pool Supervision Policy is strictly enforced at all council-owned swimming pools for the safety of our pool users.
Our aquatic facilities have adult-to-child ratios that are in place for the number of children one adult can actively supervise.
Please ensure when you visit us your group follows these ratios:
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- Any additional children will require an extra caregiver who is at least 17 years old.
- We do not consider you to be actively supervising if you are using a mobile phone, in a sauna, steam room, spa, or different area of the pool.
- If you aren't able to meet the minimum adult-to-child supervision ratio you will be denied entry to the facility until ratios are met.
Wristbands
Supervision wristbands will be issued on arrival at reception so that your children are easily identified by our lifeguards.
- Caregiver of children 4 years and under must wear a wristband.
- All children aged 5-10 years and their supervising adult must wear a wristband.
- Learn to Swim students aged 10 and under wanting to swim before or after lessons will also need to wear a wristband.
The colours of wristbands may vary at each centre.
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Our Swim Plus Zones which include our Spa, Sauna and Steam room areas also require wristbands. All users must be 17 years and older.
- Members: Your entry to Swim Plus Zones is included with your GET INTO IT and SWIM IT memberships. If you are wanting to use the spa, sauna or steam rooms at your centre, you can collect this from reception. If you're only swimming, there's no need for a wristband.
- Non-members: The Swim Plus Zone fee is separate to the Swim Only fee. Please see our Prices and Memberships page for prices. Wristbands need to be collected upon payment.
Please note, you cannot supervise your children from the Swim Plus Zone.
Nappies
Children under 3 years must wear a waterproof swimming nappy. We suggest putting togs over the top to keep the swimming nappy secure. This helps us make sure pools are kept safe and clean, and reduces pool closures for all customers. You can buy Huggies Little Swimmers swimming nappies at our pools.
Check your child's swim nappy regularly and change at least once an hour.
Standard or disposable nappies may not be worn in the pool. This is because:
- both standard and disposable nappies absorb a lot of water and become very heavy, which increases the risk of the baby or toddler sinking
- waterlogged disposable nappies fall apart in the water and can affect the performance of the filters.
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What to wear in the pool
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Clothing that is acceptable:
- swimsuit, bikini or tankini (bikini with tank top)
- shorts ending above the knee
- rash shirts
- modesty wear
- swim nappies (compulsory for children under 3 years)
- swim briefs
Clothing that is unacceptable:
- underwear of any kind
- cotton or denim clothing
- loose-fitting clothing
For any questions of exceptions to the above, please ask staff.
Pool rules
- Please shower and visit the bathroom before entering the pool.
- Please follow all Spa Rules and Sauna Rules.
- Always check the depth of water before entering the pool. Every pool is different and in some cases, depth or conditions may change.
- Look for hazards such as steep slopes into deeper water, lane ropes, waves, slides, and diving boards.
- If you have a medical condition such as epilepsy, asthma, diabetes, or a heart condition, notify a lifeguard and please take care.
- Please be considerate of other pool users.
- Private lessons may not be taught in the pool without prior authourisation.
- Always follow the directions of our lifeguards. They are the most qualified to make decisions in this environment.
What you should not do
- Do not swim if you are unwell or have had diarrhoea in the last two weeks.
- Never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- No running, jumping, pushing, or fighting in or around our pools.
- Do not dive without proper supervision or experience. Bombing is only allowed where indicated.
- Avoid holding your breath and swimming underwater, especially after hyperventilating. This can lead to shallow water blackout.
- Glass bottles are not permitted.
You will be asked to leave if you refuse the instructions of our lifeguards, or your behaviour threatens the safety and enjoyment of yourself or others.
