City of Wrangell Parks and Recreation
• Register Now •

Deep End Testing Policy


Wrangell Parks & Recreation: Deep Water Swim Test Policy
Wrangell Parks & Recreation prioritizes water safety by ensuring all swimmers meet minimum swimming ability, endurance, and breath control requirements before accessing deep water. Following industry standards, all patrons must pass a swim test to swim in water deeper than their height. Those who do not take or pass the test may still enjoy the shallow end.
Swim Test Guidelines:
  • Parental Presence: A parent must be present for children 13 and under during the test.
  • Scheduling: Parents must coordinate with P&R staff to schedule the test.
  • Observation: Parents may watch from the lobby but cannot coach their child during the test.
  • Test Administration: The Head Lifeguard evaluates each swimmer’s ability.
  • Feedback: P&R staff will clearly communicate results to both parent and child.
  • Timing: Tests will not be conducted when Nessie is in the pool.
  • Retesting: Swimmers must pass all test components. If they do not pass, they should practice before scheduling a retest within 1-2 weeks.
Deep Water Swim Test Criteria:
  1. Entry & Tread: Jump into deep water and tread for 30 seconds, keeping head above water.
  2. Float: Float on back for 30 seconds, maintaining body position at the surface.
  3. Swim Endurance: Swim two widths of the pool continuously using front crawl or breaststroke with proper breath control.
These measures help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all swimmers. Thank you for your cooperation!



Return to Previous List