Photo: Colin Purrington

Membership Options:
Family Membership, Associate Membership, Senior Membership - Membership Rules

Memberships are available, we welcome new members from all local communities.
The Swarthmore Swim Club does not have a residency requirement.
Contact Membership@SwarthmoreSwimClub.org for more information to join us for the season.

2012 Membership Fees
NEW Single Membership Option

Membership Types:
Family Membership
Membership in the Swarthmore Swim Club is available to both Swarthmore and non-Swarthmore residents. Members are required to pay a $150 initiation fee and purchase a share of stock in the club, presently $480, which is redeemable when the member leaves the club.

All members are required to pay all dues annually to remain in good standing. The only exception is a "summer away option" in which a member requests a leave status for one year and pays a fee of $100 for the season. This "summer away" option is limited to five families per year and is available on a first-come first serve basis. Single adult members are entitled to receive a season guest pass with a paid membership.

Associate Membership:
This option may be offered once to prospective members for a fee of $100 (the "Associate Membership Fee") plus payment of annual dues, dependent dues, and all current fees and expenses, but not the payment of the par value of a share of stock. Upon the payment of such dues, expenses, and the Associate Membership Fee, an Associate Member has all usage rights for 1 year, but may not vote. The following season, Associate Members must purchase a share of stock at par value, or forfeit the Associate Membership Fee.

If the Associate Member purchases a share of stock the following season, the Associate Membership Fee will be credited toward that purchase. If the Associate Member does not purchase a share of stock the next season, the Associate Membership fee then is forfeited.

Senior Membership: UPDATED SPRING 2011
a) Members who wish to continue as "senior option" members (viz they have relinquished their share of stock to the club) will be billed annually $100 plus all fees in full (e.g. maintenance fee).

b) Senior members who wish to reinstitute their membership can do so by repurchasing a share of stock in the SSC at the present par value. The initiation fee will be waived. The annual charge these members pay will be identical to new senior members as specified in
(c) below. These members will again have full voting rights in the SSC

c) Senior members will be available to any member who meets the following conditions:
a. One member of the household is 65 years or older on the opening day of the swim season (Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend)
b. One, and only one other member of the household must be at least 55 years of age by the opening day of the season will be issued a membership card under this share of stock.

Senior members will retain all rights, including voting in the SSC.
At age 70, (for one member of the household on opening day of the swim season with all other conditions remaining the same, annual dues will be $100 plus all fees in full.

Any questions relating to membership should be directed to: Membership@SwarthmoreSwimClub.org.

Membership Rules:
These rules and regulations are intended to promote the enjoyment of the club facilities and to protect the health and safety of the members and our guests. Please understand that the Manager on Duty has the authority to limit the use of the facilities of any member or guest behaving in a disorderly or unsafe manner.

ADMITTANCE: No one will be admitted into the club without a membership card or a guest pass.  Staff will make every effort to verify the status of members seeking admission without a membership card; however the failure to have a valid membership card may delay or otherwise limit your ability to use the club facilities. Members who do not show cards on three occasions will not be permitted to enter.

LEAVE:  Upon written application after dues notices are sent, members may request leave status for the year.  Fee is $100 in lieu of dues.  For membership questions contact the Membership Committee of the Board.

GUESTS: All guests must have a pass purchased and signed by an adult member. Members may purchase daily guest passes at the office.

COURTEOUS BEHAVIOR: Loud, rude, vulgar or dangerous behavior is not permitted.  Dangerous behaviors include wrestling, running on the pool deck, dunking or inappropriate use of the club facilities.  Radios or other audio devices must be used with earphones. Smoking is not permitted in the pool area.

SWIM DIAPERS: Children who are NOT COMPLETELY TOILET TRAINED MAY NOT USE THE L-POOL OR THE LAP POOL.  Failure to follow this rule may (under worst case conditions) require the closure of the pool for extended periods due to the need to increase chemical levels.  Please be considerate of other members.

PERSONAL PROPERTY: The club accepts no responsibility for personal property at the pool.  Articles left on pool property must be claimed at the office within 1 week.  Unclaimed items will be sold at monthly Lost and Found Sales.

PARKING: Park only in designated spaces. Handicapped parking is available on either side of the front entrance.  During special events, overflow parking is available in the lot adjacent to the club driveway on Riverview Road.
SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN: Children under 12 must be supervised by a member, guest or babysitter at least 14 years old, unless attending club-sponsored practice for the swim team, dive team, or water show, or while taking swim lessons.  Such exceptions are limited to the duration of the club-sponsored event.

DISTRACTING LIFEGUARDS: Our lifeguards have an important and difficult job, and their number one priority is your safety.  Please do not distract them with general conversation when they are on the guard stand. 

FOOD AND BEVERAGES:  With the exception of water in plastic bottles, no food or beverages are permitted within the pool area except at Board-sponsored events (please use the picnic grove). No alcoholic beverages are allowed on pool property, except at specified Board sponsored events.

SKILL TESTING: Members and guests may be required to demonstrate minimum acceptable swimming skills prior to using certain portions of the club facilities.  Children under 13 years old, and others at the discretion of the manager, must pass the following tests prior to being permitted unsupervised use of the Lap Pool and the deeper sections of the L Pool:

RED BRACELET: In the shallow end of the L Pool, close to the rope, use freestyle stroke across and back breathing to the side; no stopping or standing; no doggy-paddle. Children must have a red bracelet to use the slide. Children who have not passed their red bracelet test may be in the long part of the L pool with a parent or other adult during Family Time.

WHITE BRACELET: In the diving area near the rope, use freestyle stroke across and back; dive down to the bottom of the pool to retrieve an object in deep water; tread water for 1 minute.

BLUE BRACLET: In the lap pool, swim two lengths of the pool, using strong freestyle stroke; tread water for 1 minute.  Children must pass this test to participate on the swim and dive teams.

Tests will be administered by a Manager or Senior Guard as requested, or by the Swim Team Coach to allow children to attend team practices.  Children must have bracelets on their at all times, except when participating in club sponsored events.

BABY POOL: Parents are responsible for the safety and conduct of their children in the baby pool. This pool is intended for use by children younger than age 5.

DIVING WELL: The deepest end of the L Pool is the only area where diving is permitted.  A White Bracelet is required to use the diving well.  Only one person should be on a diving board at a time. The diving well will be closed for all home dive meets.

LAP POOL: The lap pool is to be used for swimming laps only, no jumping or diving. A Blue Braclet is required to use the lap pool. Swimmers are expected to share lanes during periods of peak demand. Two swimmers may choose to swim on sides; circle swimming should be used when three or four swimmers are sharing a lane.

During busy periods the Manager on Duty may reasonably limit the duration members and guests can swim laps or may open part of the L pool for lap swimming.  The lap pool will be closed for all home swim meets.

FAMILY TIME: All children younger than age 14 are to be out of the pool area, unless they are with an adult family member.

ATTIRE: All members and guests who are swimming must be in swim wear; cut-offs are not permitted.