Members, please be kind to the lifeguards, they are trying to keep everyone safe. Please review some of the rules the lifeguard needs to try to enforce over and above their priority of scanning the pool water making sure everyone is not in harm’s way. Understanding these rules and obeying them without confrontation will SAVE LIVES.

General Pool Rules

Conduct

  • Did you know most of the staff are also fellow members of DRRA? Please treat them with the respect you give to all members
  • Do not talk to a lifeguard who is on active duty in a lifeguard stand, unless it is a matter of safety. Questions should be addressed to the Manager on Duty or lifeguards that are not in a lifeguard stand.
  • No talking back to lifeguards even if you feel it is unjust- please see Manager.
  • Lifeguards are there to help guide patrons and enforce the rules.
  • Lifeguards can and will enforce more rules depending on the number of members in the water, weather, time of day, conditions.
  • Running is prohibited on pool decks, in the bathhouse, all walkways, and stairs. Running is only allowed in the grass areas.
  • Do not intentionally break a rule- doing so will have you banned for the day.
  • For your safety, do not enter the steep hillside area where the flag pole is located.
  • Forward jumping into the pool is allowed in areas where there are no steps, ladders, tiles, and seating.
  • No jumping over a person in the water.
  • No standing or sitting on the tile peninsulas in the shallow ends.
  • Please stay clear of the pool steps to allow members to enter the pool.
  • No jumping or diving on the bulkhead or playing on the steps.
  • NO CHICKEN FIGHTS!
  • No diving anywhere marked “NO DIVING.” Face forward diving only in appropriate areas and when no one is in the area.
    • * racing starts are allowed outside of swim team practice only with hired DRRA swim instructors in dedicated areas.
  • No swimming under the lap lanes when the swimmer in the lap lane is passing.
  • No playing in the lap lanes.
  • No horseplay or standing on shoulders.
  • No standing on kickboards; kickboards are to be used as an aid for those learning to swim or for lap swimming aid only.
  • No scooters, hoverboards, or other wheel devices are to be used on DRRA property except for strollers or handicap necessities.
  • Bikes are to be locked at bike stands and not allowed inside the fence.
  • No swimming in the diving well.
  • No guests are allowed inside the gate without a guest pass (see rules).
  • No hanging or resting on lane lines or blue ropes.
  • Chess pieces are for chess games only. No throwing the chess pieces. Members must set the pieces in place after play.
  • Patrons are not allowed in the pool water during swim practice.
  • During the break period, if under 15 of age do not dangle your feet in the water.
  • Private lesson instruction is not allowed to use the dedicated lap lanes of member lap swimming unless members are not using the lane. Private lesson instructors may add a dedicated lap lane for a lesson if the pool is not crowded.
  • When a staff person or loudspeaker announces to exit the pool or the pool water, you must immediately follow the directive.
  • Complaints should be directed towards manager@drra.org or the Manager/Assistant Manager on duty, not lifeguards, front desk, gatekeepers, or snack bar workers.
  • No chairs are allowed in the wading pool WATER.
  • No chairs are allowed within 5 feet of the main pool edge.
  • While Swim and Dive practice is being held, do not speak with coaches and swimmers and stay clear of the area where lap lanes and teams are using. Do not use tables and chairs in these areas.

Lightning/thunderstorm, water condition policy

  • DRRA will close when lightning and thunder are seen and/ or heard or within 10 miles of the facility.
  • DRRA will open 30 min after the last lightning or thunder is seen or heard
  • DRRA pool water will close whenever the pool bottom in all areas is not clearly visible. Flash flooding, downpours, and cloudy water are examples of this occurrence. DRRA pool will open as soon as conditions improve.
  • When a staff person or loudspeaker announces to exit the pool or the pool water, you must immediately follow the directive.
  • For your safety when you exit DRRA immediately for a thunderstorm/lightning you are not allowed to stay anywhere on the property inside or outside the fence (use of showers/snack bars/changing rooms is prohibited). If no safe shelter is available, you should take shelter in a hardtop vehicle; don’t touch the radio dial or the door handles—especially if they are metal. The goal is for you to return home for your safety.
  • Sitting outside in any location of DRRA property is prohibited during inclement weather and can lead to loss of membership privileges.
  • Staff will also seek shelter and will not be made to put their lives in danger due to the failure to follow the safety protocol.
  • Due to the amount of electricity in the area, we will not answer the telephone or cell phone until 30 min after clearance for inclement weather. The closing is announced on our Twitter or website and will be announced when open.
  • Protocol for swim and dive events–
    • Due to lack of space inside the bathhouse and for the safety of all staff everyone except the: General Manager, Assistant managers, Swim and Dive team Reps lifeguard, the front desk, snack bar staff on duty, are to exit the facility and go to safety.
    • Marshals at the event should help with the exit and safety of all participants and spectators.
    • All food, beverage, and vending will stop at the first announcement of closure and will stay closed until DRRA is cleared to open. NO SALES are allowed in the parking lot.
    • Those that can not safely take cover in their cars are expected to leave DRRA property and seek shelter.
    • Communication with the visiting team to DRRA policy is required by Team Reps prior to the swim or dive meet.

Etiquette

  • No profanity.
  • Be respectful to all members and staff.
  • Teach non-members DRRA rules.
  • No yelling.
  • No running except on grass in the large field.

Food and Drink

  • Food and drinks are prohibited in the pool, pool deck areas, and in the bathhouse.
  • Water in plastic cups or bottles only is allowed on the decks (no cans).
  • Glass objects, including baby bottles, are prohibited anywhere on DRRA grounds.
  • Chewing gum is prohibited.
  • No alcohol or smoking/vaping.
  • No nudity except in dedicated changing areas in the bathhouse.
  • No changing of diapers or clothing -except in the dedicated area in the bathhouse.
  • No reckless driving in the parking lot: The speed limit is 5 miles per hour.
  • Audio devices to be used only with headphones/earbuds.
  • While cell phones are permitted, please be considerate of those around you and speak in a conversational tone of voice. If you need to raise your voice to be heard or are making a business call, please be polite to your neighbors and place your call from a location where others cannot overhear you.
  • No pets inside the fence grounds or tethered to anywhere on DRRA property.

Swimwear, Accessories, Equipment, Games, and Toys

  • Proper bathing suit required when entering pool water (street clothes are not permitted).
  • Play floating devices are allowed only in the baby pool.
  • Approved flotation devices in the main pool (provided the pools are not too crowded, at the manager’s discretion):
    • Coast Guard certified vests or “puddle jumpers”.A responsible adult must remain in the water within arm’s length of the child wearing the life vest at all times.
    • pool noodle
    • kickboards for lap swimming or in use as a teaching device
    • water walking equipment
  • Hard balls are not allowed in any pools except for the basketball provided by DRRA for use only in the water basketball area (this includes but is not limited to: footballs, baseballs, outside basketballs, tennis balls, etc.)
  • No water guns or squirt devices.
  • NO WATER BALLOONS.
  • “Nerf” balls may be used provided they do not interfere with others’ enjoyment of the pool and when the pool is not crowded.
  • Overzealous ball playing is prohibited.
  • Basketball throwing from the pool deck is prohibited.
  • Ball throwing across pool sections (over the lap lanes or into the diving well) is prohibited.
  • POOL toys are allowed in the wading pool, not the main pool.
  • Use of rollerblading, skateboarding, bicycle and scooters are prohibited on all DRRA grounds.
  • Bicycles are to be left at the bike racks only.
  • Flippers/fins dedicated for lap swimming are allowed for use in lap lanes only.
  • Absolutely no mermaid tails, swim fins, or rafts are permitted.
  • Snorkels are not permitted in the pool, with the exception of snorkels designed for lap swimming and use in lap lanes.
  • Playing dead or holding breath for long periods of time is strictly forbidden-this includes lap swimmers.

Field, Hills, Grounds

  • Basketball- equipment is for those playing basketball in the basketball area
    • No hanging on backboard/rim/net
    • No throwing the basketball from the deck (this includes shooting from the deck or jumping in and throwing the ball mid-jump)
  • Volleyball- equipment is for those playing volleyball games
    • No hanging or pulling on the net.
    • The volleyball is to be used in the volleyball area only.
  • Chess sets- are intended for chess games only- do not kick, throw, knock over the pieces. Set up pieces in proper game order when finished
  • Field- this area is shared by those sunbathing, no throwing of balls, kites, etc.
  • Outdoor sporting equipment is prohibited – such as but not limited to footballs, soccer balls, baseballs, kites, water balls, torpedo, squirt guns, etc.

Diving Boards

  • Dive straight out from the diving boards. Forward and backward diving moves are permitted.
  • After diving from the center diving board (high dive), swim directly to the ladder under the diving well. After diving from either exterior diving board, swim either directly to the ladder on that side of the diving well.
  • Do not attempt to jump or dive beyond the center of the diving area where the water becomes more shallow.
  • One bounce only.
  • Sitting on the diving boards is not permitted.
  • Only one person is allowed on the diving board at a time. Do not ascend the ladder to the board until the previous diver has entered the pool water.
  • Swimming is not allowed in the diving area.
    • limited exception, not the norm -If diving boards are not in use, swimmers may ask the manager on duty for permission to swim in the diving area for a limited amount of time. Swimmers must clear the diving area for any person wishing to use the diving board. An extra lifeguard must be assigned to this area.
  • Face masks, goggles, flippers, and glasses must be removed before diving.
  • No toys and or objects allowed in the diving area, this includes no throwing or catching of objects to someone jumping off the diving boards.
  • No hanging on the diving board.
  • No loitering in the diving well. Once you dive, you must exit the area.
  • After you dive, exit at the correct ladder (under the board for the high dive, at the side of the pool for the low dive)
  • Divers must wait for the previous diver to make it to the appropriate ladder or under the pool rope before jumping off the board.

Water Basketball

  • The basketball may only be thrown or shot from inside the pool water no more than 10 feet from the net (not from the deck or wall).
  • Dunking or hanging from the rim is not permitted.
  • Adjusting the basket is not permitted.
  • Water basketballs are to be kept in the water basketball area only when finished using the ball place on a basketball stand platform.
  • Basketball is for water basketball only. The basketball should not be dribbled on the deck.

Age and Ability

  • Children who are not toilet-trained must be wearing clothing designed to keep diapers contained when in the water, as well as tight-legged rubber/plastic pants.
  • The Baby Pool is limited to children ages 6 and under. The baby pool is intended for children who may not safely or comfortably use other pools because of age or limited swimming ability. They must be accompanied by and under the supervision of an adult or adult-designated babysitter at all times.
  • Children under 6 may use the wading pool during break times, provided that an adult or adult-designated babysitter accompanies each child.
  • Children under the age of 13 who have not passed the basic swim test must be accompanied by an adult or person over the age of 16 in the water within arms reach.
  • Children may swim in water over their shoulders provided they have passed the basic swimming test, which consists of:
    • Swimming 60 feet of freestyle with breathing
    • Treading water for one minute.
  • Children under 10 must always be accompanied by and under the supervision of an adult member or adult-designated babysitter.
  • Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult or adult-designated sitter after 6 p.m.
  • During break times, all those under the age of 15 must exit the pool water. This includes no sitting on the deck with feet in the water or playing with the over 15yr old while in the pool.
  • Members must supervise their children at all times and are responsible for their Guests.

General Cleanliness and Health Department Requirements

  • Suntan lotions must be applied 15 minutes at least before ENTERING any water. This ensures that the lotion does not wash off into the pool water system. This is also for your own safety—lotions do not have time to properly set if you jump into the water directly after application.
  • Changing of diapers anywhere except diaper changing stations (located in all bathrooms) is prohibited.
  • Nudity is prohibited – changing children is required to be done in bathrooms.
  • Proper bathing attire is required (females are required to cover their upper body as well as lower body).
  • spray suntan lotion – while allowed it is prohibited to apply in the bathhouse spray only on the grass area to insure one slips on the oil.
  • 24-26 of the Arlington County Swimming Pool Code states, “The introduction of body wastes, including sputum, into a pool is prohibited. Individuals wearing diapers are prohibited from entering the pool water. A pool contaminated by human or animal feces shall be closed immediately.” The first part of this code statement’s intent is that diapers cannot directly contact the pool water.
    • The code further states that the pool management must “Close the pool until the total volume of water can be passed through the filtering system; i.e., for the turnover times.” Sec. 24-29 designates the turnover time for our combination diving swimming pool as six (6) hours.
    • OUR RULE-children who are not FULLY toilet-trained must wear rubber pants (a separate and distinct article of clothing) over an undergarment of tightly-fitted diapers (cloth/plastic/swimmers). There are no exceptions! One accident can result in the pool being closed for up to eight hours at a time. The guards, pool management, and the Board will be adamant on strict compliance.
  • 24.1-50. Spectator Areas. Spectators at swimming or diving meets and other special events shall not have access to and shall be separated from the portions of the pool area used by swimmers or divers. Spectator balconies shall not overhang within five (5) feet of any portion of the pool water surface.  (Ord. No. 05-15, 4-16-05)
  • 24.1-68. Spectators. No person in street shoes shall be allowed on the deck of a swimming pool within five (5) feet of the pool edge. Exceptions may be made for participants and spectators of swimming meets or other water sport activities,  operating personnel, personnel engaged in repair work or the County Manager or his designee. (Ord. No. 05-15, 4-16-05)
  • The introduction of body waste including sputum or vomitus, into a pool is prohibited. Patrons wearing cloth or disposable diapers are prohibited from entering the pool water. A pool contaminated by human feces or vomit shall be cleared immediately. The following actions shall be taken prior to reopening the pool:
  • In the event of well-formed stool contamination:
    • Clear the pool.
      • Remove as much of the contaminating material as possible using a net or scoop. Vacuuming is not recommended unless it discharges directly to waste.
    • Raise pool disinfectant level to a minimum of three (3) ppm and adjust pH to a level of seven and a half (7.5) or less.
    • Prohibit patrons from entering the pool for a minimum of one (1) hour.
  • In the event of diarrhea or vomitus contamination
    • Clear the pool.
    • Remove as much contaminating material as possible from the water using a net or scoop. Vacuuming is not recommended unless it discharges directly to waste.
    • Raise pool disinfectant level to a minimum of three (3) ppm and adjust pH to a level of 7.5 or less.
    • Prohibit patrons from entering the pool for a minimum of two (2) hours.
  • In the event of a fecal or vomitus contamination from a patron with Cryptosporiodosis: a. Clear the pool.
    • Immediately notify the County Manager or his designee of the occurrence.
    • Remove as much of the contaminating material as possible from the pool water. Vacuuming is not recommended unless it discharges to waste.
    • Raise pool disinfectant level to a minimum of twenty (20) ppm and adjust pH to a level of seven and a half (7.5) or less for a minimum of nine (9) hours.
    • Patrons are prohibited from entering the pool during this time period.
  • Achieve acceptable disinfectant residuals and chemical balance as specified in § 24.1-66 Table III prior to allowing patrons to enter the pool. Ord. No. 05-15, 4-16-05)

Snack bar

  • The table and chairs in the snack bar patio area are intended for snack bar customers in the hours the snack bar is open.
  • Please do not lay your towels on the patio area.
  • Food is to remain in the snack bar or picnic areas.