Pool Rules

All persons on the pool deck, and/or swimming in the pool, are required to wear proper swim attire. All swimwear bottoms must have a liner. All swimwear must be clean. All infants/toddlers must wear swim diapers and proper swimwear.

PERMITTED SWIM ATTIRE: Clean cotton t-shirts and sarongs. Patrons on the deck MUST have on proper swim attire under these items.

PROHIBITED SWIM ATTIRE: Brazil/French-cut, thong style and/or revealing swim wear is prohibited. “Street clothes”, cut-off jeans, jeans, skirts, shorts, sport bras, leotards, leggings, dri-fit wear, compression shorts and compression shirts. Underwear and undergarments are not allowed to be worn under swimsuits.

Why is proper swimwear required?

1. Street clothes (especially cotton) can transport airborne and ultimately water borne contaminants into the pool.

2. Lycra and Nylon are the best non-absorbent material for swimming and are the best fabrics for proper swim attire.

a. Other absorbent materials (such as cotton) can break down in the water and cause fibers to clog filters.

b. Any “colored” material (unless specifically made for swimming) can bleed into the pool, effecting water chemistry and balance. This is also a reason for turbidity in pools.

3. Cotton and similar materials can absorb the chemicals in the water, causing the water to become less effective at maintaining the proper chemical balance or may cloud the water. 

Arlington County Department of Parks and recreation reserves the right to deny use of Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness center pool and/or spa facilities for non-approved swimwear. If you are unsure if your swimwear meets our guidelines, please check with facility management. 703-228-3338

• Patrons are not permitted in the pool area unless a lifeguard is on duty. 
• Children under the age of 13 must always be under direct supervision by a responsible person 16 years or older (Daily Admission fee or Membership required). 
  • For children under the age of 5 or children wearing personal floatation devices, supervision must be from in the water within arms-reach. 
  • For children between 5 and 12 years of age, supervision may be from the pool deck. 
• Coast Guard approved flotation devices are permitted in shallow water at the discretion of Long Bridge Aquatic & Fitness Center staff. 
• Inflatable floatation devices are not permitted. 
• Anyone entering water deeper than their shoulders must be able to pass the swim test (swim 25 yards on their front unassisted and tread water for 1 minute). 
• Running, pushing, causing undue disturbance or any conduct that may endanger the welfare of self or other patrons is not permitted. 
• Appropriate and non-transparent swimming attire is required. Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center reserves the right to restrict the use of any apparel deemed unsafe or inappropriate for use in the pool area. 
• Shower before entering the pool. 
• No headfirst diving in less than six feet of water. 
• Lap lanes are to be used for lap swimming or water exercise only. 
• Ball playing is not permitted on the pool deck. Approved provided balls may be used during instruction and at the discretion of Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center staff. 
• Glass containers or breakable objects of any kind are not permitted in the pool area, locker rooms/changeroom or spectator area. 
• Food and drink are not permitted on pool deck and in changerooms/locker rooms. Beverages in a spill-proof container are permitted. 
• Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center staff may instruct patrons to evacuate the pool for a variety of safety reasons. When instructed, pool patrons must exit the pool immediately and await further instructions. 
• If an electrical storm is reported within six miles as determined by the Person in Charge or Head Lifeguard and the safety of patrons becomes a concern, the pool may be evacuated, and remain closed for 30 minutes after the storm moves away from the area. 
• Unless approved by Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center management, swimmers must refrain from prolonged breath holding or prolonged underwater swimming. 
• All equipment (kickboards, pull buoys, jogging belts, etc.) must only be used for their intended purpose. Kickboards and pull buoys may be used while lap swimming only. 
• Masks, snorkels and fins are permitted for lap swimming or during instruction. Fins must be training fins (constructed of soft material and not wider than eight inches). 
• Encourage children to use the bathroom before entering the pool and take them on frequent bathroom breaks. 
• Patrons who have or have had diarrhea in the past two weeks should not use the pools. 
• Incontinent patrons must use swim diapers or snug plastic pants under bathing suits. Diapers that are cloth or non-swim diapers are not permitted. 
• Do not change diapers on the pool deck. 
• Do not drink pool water. 
• Spitting, nose-blowing, vomiting, urinating or defecating into the pool or onto the deck is not permitted. 
• Persons with skin infections, open wounds or nasal or ear discharges are not permitted in the pool. 
• Socializing with or distracting any lifeguard on surveillance duty is not permitted. 
• Starting blocks are restricted to approved swim practices, swim meets and instruction. 
• Strollers must remain on the deck with brakes locked at the shallow end of the pool and at least 4 ft. from water’s edge.  

• Prior to joining a lane, be sure to pick a lane that is best suited to your swimming pace. 
• When joining a lane, do not dive or jump into a lap swimming lane that contains another swimmer. Communicate with others in the lane to begin circular swim. 
• Stay to the right side of the black line on the bottom of the pool in your lane. 
• Be aware of other swimmers in the lane. Try to maintain a 6 ft. distance between yourself and the swimmer in front of you. 
• Refrain from doing strokes with wide kicks or wide arm strokes such as Butterfly or Breaststroke. 

• Pass at the end of each lap, after tapping the foot of the swimmer in front. The swimmer being passed should wait on the right side of the lane. 
• If the left side of lane is clear, pass swimmer on the left. Be sure there are at least five yards of clear water to the wall before passing. 
• Cut over into the lane going in the opposite direction with no turn. Be sure there is at least 10 ft. between you and another swimmer headed in that direction. 

• The diving area is available by reservation only. Reservations requests must be made by a certified diving coach and proof of certification will be required to reserve the diving area.
• A Certified Diving Coach must be present to use diving platforms. 
• If the access gate to the diving platform is closed, platforms are not available for use. 
• 1-meter springboards are not available when in the upright position. 
• Adjustments of the diving board fulcrum may only be made at the discretion of the lifeguard or coach. 
• One user at a time is allowed on the diving platform/board. 
• Divers must wait at the bottom of the diving platform/board ladder until the previous diver has reached the side of the pool. 
• Only one bounce per dive is permitted, except during instructional activity, under the supervision of an approved instructor.  
• Front dives and flips are allowed straight off the end of the board. Cartwheels and handstands off the springboards are not permitted. Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center staff may restrict dives based on safety concerns. 
• Immediately after surfacing, divers must swim to the ladder and exit the pool. 
• Swimming under and hanging off the end of the diving board is not permitted. 
• Goggles, masks or floatation devices may not be worn when diving off the board. 
• Running dives are not permitted. Diving approach and hurdle are permitted. 

• Children under the age of 13 are not permitted in the spa.
• Use should be limited to 15 minutes. Longer exposure may result in nausea, dehydration, dizziness or fainting. 
• Bather load must not exceed posted capacity. 
• Appropriate and non-transparent swimming attire is required. Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center reserves the right to restrict the use of any apparel deemed unsafe or inappropriate for use in the spa area. 
• Pregnant women, elderly persons or participants with a history of heart condition, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, circulatory or respiratory problems, and those taking medication under a physician’s care should not use the spa. 
• Shower before entering. 
• Do not use body lotions or oils before entering. 
• Persons with skin infections, open wounds and nasal or ear discharges are not permitted in. 
• Do not use the spa while under the influence of alcohol, tranquilizers or other drugs that may cause drowsiness, alter blood pressure or put the patron at risk. 
• Do no submerge to the bottom of the spa. Hair may be entangled in the bottom drain. 
• Spitting, nose-blowing, vomiting, urinating or defecating is not permitted. 
• Kickboards or floatation devices are not permitted. 

• Patrons are not permitted in the pool area unless a lifeguard is on duty. 
• Children under the age of 13 must always be under direct supervision  by a responsible person 16 years or older (Daily Admission fee or Membership required). 
  • Children under the age of 5 or children wearing personal floatation devices must be supervised within arms-reach. 
  • Children between 5 and 12 years of age must be supervised from the pool deck. 
• Anyone entering water deeper than their shoulders must be able to pass the swim test showing a person can swim 25 yards on their front unassisted and tread water for 1 minute. 
• For the safety of all patrons, noodles are not allowed in the lazy river. Children under the age of 13 must be supervised by a responsible person 16 years or older.
• Coast Guard approved flotation devices are permitted in shallow water at the discretion of Long Bridge Aquatic & Fitness Center staff. 
• Inflatable floatation devices are not permitted. 
• Appropriate and non-transparent swimming attire is required. Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center reserves the right to restrict the use of any apparel deemed unsafe or inappropriate for use in the pool area. 
• Shower before entering the pool. 
• No headfirst diving in any part of the leisure pool is permitted. 
• No climbing or walking on interior pool walls or railings.  
• Lap lanes are to be used for lap swimming or water exercise only. 
• Glass containers or breakable objects of any kind are not permitted in the pool area, changerooms, or spectator area. 
• Food and drink are not permitted on pool deck and in changerooms. Beverages in a spill-proof container are permitted. 
• Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center staff may instruct patrons to evacuate the pool for a variety of safety reasons. When instructed, pool patrons must exit the pool immediately and await further instructions. 
• If an electrical storm is reported within six mile as determined by the Person in Charge or Head Lifeguard, the pool may be evacuated and remain closed for 30 minutes after the storm moves away from the area. 
• Unless approved by Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center management, swimmers must refrain from prolonged breath holding or prolonged underwater swimming. 
• All equipment (kickboards, pull buoys, jogging belts, etc.) must only be used for its intended purpose. Kickboards and pull buoys may be used while lap swimming only. 
• Masks, snorkels and fins are permitted for lap swimming or during instruction. Fins must be training fins (constructed of soft material and not wider than eight inches). 
• Running, pushing, causing undue disturbance, or any conduct that may endanger the welfare of self or other patrons is not permitted. 
• Children must use the bathroom before entering the pool and be taken on frequent bathroom breaks. 
• Patrons who have or have had diarrhea in the past two weeks should not use the pools. 
• Incontinent patrons must use swim diapers or snug plastic pants under bathing suits. Diapers that are cloth or non-swim diapers are not permitted. 
• Changing of diapers is not permitted on the pool deck.  
• Do not drink pool water. 
• Spitting, nose-blowing, vomiting, urinating or defecating into the pool or onto the deck is not permitted. 
• Persons with skin infections, open wounds and nasal or ear discharges are not permitted in the pool. 
• Socializing with or distracting any lifeguard on surveillance duty is not permitted. 
• Ball playing is not permitted on the pool deck. Approved balls provided may be used during instruction and at the discretion of Center staff. 
• Strollers must remain on the deck with brakes locked at the shallow end of the pool and at least 4 ft. from water’s edge. 

• The water slide is open during designated hours determined by Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center staff. 
• If the access gate to the slide is closed, the water slide is not available for use. 
• Staff must be stationed at the top platform entrance of the water slide before use. 
• Only one rider at a time. 
• All riders must be at least 48” tall. 
• No rider may weigh more than 300 pounds. 
• Non-swimmers are not permitted. 
• All riders must ride feet first while lying on their back with arms across their chest. Do not go down the slide head-first. Do not sit up while riding the slide. 
• Riders must wait for instructions from the Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center staff stationed at the top platform entrance. 
• No running, standing, kneeling, rotating, tumbling or stopping in the flume. Arms and hands must always remain inside the flume. Riders should remain in proper riding position until forward movement has stopped. At no time should the rider attempt to stand up while on the slide or prior to coming to a complete stop in the splash-out area. 
• No tubes, mats or life jackets are permitted on the waterslide. 
• No combs or foreign objects are allowed in pockets and no jewelry can be worn while riding the slide. No cutoff jeans or swim wear with exposed zippers, buckles, rivets, or metal ornamentation; only approved swimsuits allowed. 
• The line should form on the deck with one rider on each landing and one rider in the starter tub. Wait until landing area is clear before entering. 
• Riders must be in good health. Elderly persons, those suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, epilepsy, or persons using prescription medication should consult their physician before using the slide. Individuals with medical conditions including, but not limited to, pregnancy, heart, or back problems should not ride. 
• Do not use the slide while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 
• No diving from the slide.