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Pool Guidelines

Aquatics

The following rules and regulations have been established for the benefit of all users of the swimming facilities to ensure the safe operation of the pools and to provide enjoyable recreational opportunities for all.

Guests are requested to cooperate in observing these rules and to obey the instructions of the Aquatics Staff. Guests violating rules are subject to the revocation of their swimming privileges. The pool is available for use by UNCW Students, Faculty, and Staff.

General Guidelines & Behavior
  • No one may enter the swimming area unless the pool is officially open and aquatic staff members are present.
  • During inclement weather (Ex: thunderstorms), the pool will close and may not re-open for 30 minutes after the last observation of thunder and/or lightning. Guests must vacate the outdoor pool and deck area and seek shelter inside the SRC. The SRC utilizes the Earth Network Lightning Detection system which will alert users when lighting is detected in the area and provides an “All Clear” alert when the inclement weather has moved out of the area and it may be possible to reopen the pool(s).
  • Diving is prohibited in any area of the Lap Pool that is less than 5 feet deep. Backwards entries, twists, and flips are prohibited
  • Diving is prohibited in the outdoor Leisure Pool.
  • Horseplay is not tolerated. Running, pushing, dunking, water fighting, wrestling, jumping without caution, abuse, inappropriate language, or any other behavior that can jeopardize the safety and health of others is not permitted.
  • Horseplay such as running, pushing, dunking, water fighting, wrestling, jumping without caution, abuse, or inappropriate language is prohibited.
  • Spitting, spouting of water, blowing nose, urinating and/or defecating are prohibited in the pool area.
  • Prolonged underwater swimming is prohibited.
  • Only Department of Campus Recreation swim lessons are permitted in the pool area.
  • Any injury occurring in the pool must be reported to a lifeguard or pool supervisor immediately.
  • Children 6 years of age or older must change in the gender appropriate locker room. Family Locker Rooms are available.
  • A cleansing shower must be taken before entering the pool.
  • Personal items and bags are to be stored securely in the locker room. No items may be left on the inside pool deck.
  • Gum chewing is not permitted anywhere in the pool area.
  • Glass containers, alcoholic beverages, drugs, and pets are not permitted. Service animals are permitted in the pool area but not in the pool itself.
  • Children should not use the swimming pool without adult supervision.
  • Adults should not swim alone.
  • Patrons suspected to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol are not permitted in the pool area and will be removed from the premises.
  • Large or loose jewelry is not permitted.
  • The use of starting blocks is restricted to approved instructional programs and training.
  • Lap Lanes are reserved for those persons wishing to swim laps undisturbed. Swimmers must enter the lap pool from the ends of the lanes only. Please inform others that you are entering the lane. Always swim complete laps of the pool, please stop only at turning walls and move to the side to allow others to turn and continue. Once lap swimming is complete, please exit your lane so others may enter.
  • Lap lanes are intended for multiple swimmers. Lap swimmers are encouraged to share lanes with others at a similar pace and select an appropriate lap swimming pattern such as circle swimming (counterclockwise near the lane markers and pass in the middle, stay to the right). It is not uncommon to swim four or more people to a lane if a similar pace is used. Lap swimmers may be asked by aquatics staff to move to another lane to more closely match swimming pace. Please comply as this will make everyone's swim more enjoyable.
  • Hanging on the lane lines and swimming through lap lanes is prohibited. Patrons who repeatedly disrupt lap swimmers will be asked to leave.
  • Kickboards, pull buoys, dumbbells, flotation belts, and noodles are used for exercise only, children may only use US Coast Guard approved flotation devices provided by the aquatics staff and must remain within arm's length from an adult in the water at all times.
  • Inner tubes, inflatable boats and rafts, or inflatable bathing suits are only permitted in the pool during designated times.
  • Coast Guard approved and labeled life jackets may be worn. Water wings ("swimmies") may not be worn. Back floats, bubbles, rings (including those built into bathing suits) or one-sided floatation devices are prohibited.
  • SCUBA equipment may not be used except during approved instructional programs. Goggles are permitted. Use of Campus Recreation fins are permitted.
  • Headphones/ear buds must be worn when listening to musical entertainment devices.
  • Appropriate swimming apparel is required for all patrons in the pool area. Clothing such as street clothes, street shoes, cut-offs, gym shorts, thongs, and underwear are prohibited. Swimwear should not have been worn for exercising immediately prior to pool use.
  • 100% cotton clothing is not permitted. Rashguards and dri-fit material clothing will be permitted.
Age & Health / Restrictions
  • Aquatics staff reserves the right to require patrons to demonstrate swimming ability by asking them to perform a swim test.
    • Swim 25 yards (75 feet) non-stop using front crawl ("Freestyle")
    • Body must be horizontal
    • Flutter kick required: no bent knees or "bicycle" kick
    • Face in water; Rhythmic breathing to front or side
    • Over water arm recovery (No dog paddle)
    • Jump into deep water, surface unassisted, tread water for one minute in a vertical position with mouth above water line
    • Exit from pool unassisted
  • Any person having an open sore, inflamed eyes, cold, nasal or ear discharge, communicable disease, or who is wearing any kind of bandage to cover an open (unhealed) wound will not be permitted in the pool. No band-aids or casts may be worn into the pools.
  • Infants/children who are not toilet trained and adults who are incontinent, who wish to enter any pool, must wear a disposable swim diaper covered by separate rubber/vinyl pants, all of which must fit snugly around the legs and waist. If the diaper becomes soiled, this person must exit the pool immediately and may not return until he/she has taken or been given a soap shower and has been covered by a new disposable swim diaper with clean rubber/vinyl pants. A fecal accident in the pool requires a shutdown of a minimum of 30 minutes for cleaning and sanitation.
  • Children 7 years of age and younger must be accompanied in the water by a parent or guardian.
  • Anyone 14 years of age and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian poolside at all times.
  • Campus Recreation Staff, or designee, have final authority and full discretion on all offenses and/or occurrences not directly addressed in the preceding rules and regulations
Outdoor Pool Policies
  • All policies listed above apply to the Outdoor Leisure Pool area.
  • Season: April to September 30
  • Food and drink (in non-glass re-sealable containers) is permitted in this area.
  • During storms, the Outdoor Pool will be closed and the entire area cleared of patrons at the discretion of the lifeguard on duty.
  • During periods of cool weather, the Outdoor Pool will not open when the air temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature falls below 60 degrees Fahrenheit the pool will stay open at the discretion of the lifeguard on duty
  • The use of tobacco products and E-Cigarettes is prohibited

Contact Us

Aquatics

Phone: (910) 962-7946

2swim@uncw.edu

Find Us
5070 Price Drive
Wilmington, NC, 28403

Indoor, Outdoor, & Patio Deck - Summer 2025 Hours:

Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. 
Friday: 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Saturday: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.  
Sunday: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

*All modified hours are listed on our Facility Hours page

Outdoor Alert System

Aquatics Online Store