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In Toronto, children are tested for swimming ability at each visit to a public pool. Children are given wrist-bands corresponding to their age upon arrival. If
by sequoia 7y ago
In Toronto, children are tested for swimming ability at each visit to a public pool. Children are given wrist-bands corresponding to their age upon arrival. If a child wishes to swim in the deep end, he or she may ask a guard to give them a swim test (swimming a fixed distance without touching floor or wall). Upon passing the test, the child is given another wrist-band indicating that they may use the deep end. Parent:child ratios are also strictly enforced for younger children.
https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/recreation/swimming-splash-pads/drop-in-swimming/ https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/recreation/swimming-spl... (see "Important Information")
The presence of children with no swimming ability in the deep end of a crowded pool in this video seems like an obvious recipe for disaster.
edit: toys and floats are allowed in Toronto public pools, the kids have quite a lot of fun with them.
- irrational 7y agoSame at our local pools in Portland, OR. They have to be able to swim 25 yards on their fronts and then 25 yards on their backs (without ever touching a wall) before they are allowed in the non-kiddie pool.
- rtkwe 7y agoWow I think the only time I've ever had a pool give me a swim test was for Boy Scouts summer camp where it's 75 yards front stroke 25 yards backstroke and then float. Then you get a little tag you place on a board and you always have a swim partner with periodic checks where everyone gets out finds their partner and they count pairs to ensure no one's missing or without a partner.
- dpbriggs 7y agoCan also confirm this occurs in the Greater Toronto Area. I remember feeling very proud when I passed that test.