RUNNING MAN RECREATION ASSOCIATION
POOL RULES, REGULATIONS, POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Seventeenth Edition, Effective June 15, 2020
​
1. Pool Management/Lifeguards​
A) A Red Cross certified lifeguard is always on duty during normal operating hours.
​
B) The following whistle signals will be observed:
One Short Blast: BATHERS' ATTENTION
Two Short Blasts: OTHER PERSONNEL'S ATTENTION
Three Short Blasts: DANGER/EMERGENCY
One Long Blast: REST PERIOD STARTS & ENDS
C) Board members, pool manager, lifeguards and/or swim coach, hereafter referred to as Management Team, are the authority for all persons using the pool, clubhouse facilities, other buildings, parking lot and grounds. Persons using facilities shall abide by Management Team instructions per existing rules. If those instructions are not followed, the following actions will be taken as necessary to remedy the situation:
1). First incident: Warning from Management Team.
2). Second incident: (Same Day) Removal from pool for one full swim cycle (whistle after break to whistle for the next break). If that occurrence happens in the middle of the cycle, it will include the remainder of that cycle plus one full swim cycle.
3). Third incident: (Same Day) Ejection from the pool/facilities for the remainder of the day and report to the Board of Directors and parents will be notified if a minor.
4). Recurring Violations: (Minors ONLY) Minors violating the rules on a consistent basis will lose privileges to attend the pool without an adult.
D) Lifeguards on duty will report consistent violators (any level of incident) of the rules to the RMRA Board of Directors. The Board will intervene, if necessary, to correct any ongoing issues. Board member’s phone numbers are posted in the lifeguard office for pool manager and lifeguard staff use.
​
E) If any person acts in such a manner as to endanger himself or anyone else, or restrict any other person's rightful enjoyment of the facilities, they may be asked to leave the premises immediately. ABUSIVE LANGUAGE, DISRESPECT, ARGUING, FIGHTING OR HARASSMENT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. PERSONS DISPLAYING SUCH ACTIONS WILL BE SUBJECT TO EJECTION. THE MANAGEMENT TEAM AND PERSONS WILL ONLY CONSIDER REINSTATEMENT TO THE FACILITIES AFTER A REVIEW OF THE BEHAVIOR INVOLVED.
F) Any complaint made by a member regarding conduct of another member/guest or conduct or performance of any officer, committee member, or any employee of the association in regards to any phase of facility operation, should be submitted in writing to the Board for final decision and disposition.
​
2. Pool Hours
A) The pool will open on Memorial Day Weekend and be open on weekends until school ends. Following the end of school, the pool will open daily through Labor Day Weekend. Please check the pool bulletin board for the latest pool hours. The pool will be closed at 4:30 p.m. several times each summer for home swim meets.
B) There are certain instances when the pool hours may deviate from the posted schedule due to storms, pool chemical imbalances, emergencies, etc.
3. Pool Admittance/Identification
A) Any member that is not current in their financial responsibilities to the Association or release of liability will not be admitted. Pool pass ID cards will be required to gain entrance to the pool area. Each member/guest entering the pool must submit their pass to the lifeguard in the guardroom. Members are requested to pick up their passes before leaving the pool. Do not “store” your pass in the lifeguard office for future use.
B) Unattended children must be a minimum age of 10 years old and pass a swim test (1 length of the pool, continuous swim) given by the lifeguard staff. Parents must sign the test form giving their children permission to use the pool unsupervised. A record will be kept of those who have been tested as well as any guest. Children using the baby pool must be supervised by an adult at all times.
​​
4. Guest Policy
A) Non-members living in the Running Man community will generally not be admitted as guests to the pool. The following exceptions apply:
1). Non-member Running Man residents will be admitted to the pool as paying guests (with guest pass) when attending an RMRA member or RMRA sponsored event.
2). All Running Man residents are welcome during RMRA-sponsored open houses. A guest pass is not required for this event.
3). Families interested in becoming members may be granted a one-day pass from the Board to sample the facilities.
B) Greater Peninsula guests (Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, Va. Beach, Portsmouth, Smithfield, Suffolk, Nansemond Co., Williamsburg, James City Co., Gloucester Co., York Co., and Poquoson) must have a guest pass. An exception is made for immediate family members including parents, grandparents, children, and grandchildren. No charge will be required for children under the age of three (3) or guests in street clothes that are not swimming. Guest Passes may be purchased in the amount of $5/day or 10 visits for $40. Guest passes are numbered for accountability and purchasers and issuers must sign the Guest Pass Log at the time of purchase.
C) Members are limited to 5 guests per membership on holidays (Memorial Day, Juneteenth Day, 4th of July, & Labor Day), as well as special event days (End-of-the-school-year party).
D) Members must accompany their guests at the pool and register them upon entering the pool or clubhouse. Please enter the full name, age, mailing address and type of guest (i.e. overnight, long term, Greater Peninsula) on the sign-in form. Any guest who is admitted under fraudulent circumstances will not be permitted on the Association property for the remainder of the season. Furthermore, any member who signs in unauthorized guests will be suspended from the Association property for ten (10) days for the first offense, with a warning letter sent to the shareholder. A second offense will suspend the member for the remainder of the season.
E) Guests may not invite other guests.
F) Members are responsible for informing their guests of the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of our pool.
G) Members may request exceptions to these guest privileges by petitioning the Board for approval. Please contact the Board, as each situation must be handled on a case-by-case basis.
​
5. Child Care
​ A) Non-members who are gainfully employed by members as child care providers are required to purchase a $50 pass that will allow them to use the pool for the season. If the child care provider brings their own children to the pool while working as the caregiver, an additional $50 season pass for the children is required. These passes are only valid when providing childcare for member children and cannot be used under any other circumstance.
B) Members employing a non-member child care provider shall provide the name of the provider in writing to the RMRA board.
​
C) Childcare providers not exercising responsible control of their children will be asked to leave the pool.
​
D) Other childcare exceptions can be brought to the RMRA Board for consideration.
​​
6. Food & Refreshments
A) Vendors will not be allowed in the parking area or on Association property without Board approval.
​
B) Please do not eat or drink within four feet of the pool. Drinks in non-glass containers with lids are allowed at the edge of the pool but may not be taken into the pool. Glass containers or bottles are not allowed on the pool deck at any time.
C) Alcoholic beverages are allowed on the pool deck area. Members and guests must drink out of a secondary container. No open display is allowed. Again, glass containers or bottles are not allowed on the pool deck at any time. Individuals consuming alcoholic beverages must comply with all ABC laws in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Underage drinking is not allowed under any circumstances. Individuals appearing to be intoxicated or causing a disturbance will be asked to leave the premises by a member of the Management Team. In extreme cases, the proper authorities will be notified. ​
D) Please utilize trash receptacles and recycle whenever possible. Members shall pick up all dropped food and trash and properly dispose of it in the trash/recycle containers before leaving the pool area.
7. Responsibilities of Members & Guests
A) No person may use the Association’s facilities until their financial obligations have been met.
B) Members and guests are responsible for their own children. Children using the baby pool must be supervised by an adult care provider at all times. The lifeguards are not babysitters.
​
C) Each member is responsible for his/her actions, their children's, and their guest's actions.
​
D) Each member is responsible for keeping the pool enclosure, clubhouse and grounds clean.
​
E) Members having physical handicaps are requested to notify lifeguards for their safety.
​
F) The Association is not responsible for any loss of money or other property by members or guests.
​
G) The cost of any damage to Association property by a member or guest will be charged to the responsible member.
​
H) All persons using the pool do so at their own risk. The Association is not responsible for any accident or injury in connection with such use. Each family must read and sign the liability release. This release must be in the member's file before they will be admitted to the pool.
8. Pool Rental
A) Only RMRA members may rent the pool.
​
B) Rental coordination and application may be made through Clearwater Pool Management. Please email: amber@clearwaterpoolmgmt.com. They will be in contact with you for guard availibility, rental costs & payment, and the application process.
​
C) The same rules, regulations, policies and procedures that govern Clubhouse rentals apply to pool rentals.
D) The pool may not be rented during normal pool hours.
E) The pool rental rate is based on the required number of lifeguards to support the function. The pool rental rate is $45 per hour per lifeguard required. The minimum rental time is 2 hours.
F) Additional lifeguards will be needed if the number of attendees is over 25.
G) The following scale shall be used to determine lifeguards required for special events:
G) The following scale shall be used to determine lifeguards required for special events:
PEOPLE ATTENDING LIFEGUARDS REQUIRED
1-25 1
26-50 2
51-75 3
76-100 4
​
H) The Contractor requires one (1) adult chaperone per ten (10) children under the age of eighteen (18) attending the pool party. Responsible person for pool party must sign Clearwater Pool Management’s information and liability forms and attach required payment seven (7) days before the date of the party. Contractor will not allow lifeguards to guard events if proper forms have not been signed and payment is not received in advance.
I) In the event the Owner or the requesting agent does not inform the Contractor of request for additional lifeguards and Contractor is able to provide guard support, the Owner and/or responsible party will be billed at the “Emergency Guard” rate of $60 per hour, minimum of 2 hours.
​
9. General Rules, Health & Safety
A) Pets: Pets are not allowed in the pool, clubhouse or on the pool deck.
​
B) Smoking: There will be no smoking in the clubhouse facility or within the gated grounds, to include e-cigarettes and vapor. Smokeless tobacco is not allowed.
​
C) Drugs: Any member or guest, who appears to be using drugs or distributing such, will be asked to leave Association grounds and the proper authorities will be notified.
​
D) Parking/Gate Area: The gate area will be kept clear. NO LOITERING ALLOWED. Emergency vehicles are the only vehicles allowed to park in front of the gate. Please park only in allocated parking spaces. Do not park on Running Man Trail.
​
E) Motorized Bikes and Bicycles: Motorized bikes must be kept off Association property. Bicycles must be parked in the bike racks and should be locked.
​
F) Wheeled Vehicles: Wheel chairs, carriages, strollers or wagons are welcome inside the pool enclosure. Only wheel chairs are allowed in the Clubhouse.
​
G) Glass, Metal, Toys: No glass or sharp metal objects are allowed in the pool area. Small, soft plastic, unbreakable toys are allowed in the baby pool area. Soft nerf balls and basketball playing will be allowed at the discretion of the Management Team and will be limited to certain areas of the pool. Hard balls are not permitted in the pool area. Do not play ball or throw balls from the deck. Mermaid tails, dolphin fins and mono fins are not allowed in the pool due to safety concerns.
​
H) Bathing Suits: Only bathing suits are to be worn in the pool. No cut-off jeans, street clothing, towels, shoes (except Aqua shoes) buckles or belts are allowed in the pool. Exception: T-shirts will be allowed at lifeguard's discretion.
​
I) Showers: All bathers should shower before entering the pool.
​
J) Rest Period: At ten minutes before every hour, the guards will blow whistles to indicate the beginning of a ten-minute rest period. (When both lifeguards are up on lifeguard chairs, the break will be called at 15 minutes before every hour.) This is time for young swimmers to rest and remain back from the edge of the pool. These swimmers may not use the baby pool during rest periods. Adults (16 or older) are allowed to swim during this period and children under five (5) years of age may be taken in the pool by a parent during rest period.
​
K) Non-swimmers: Children who have not passed the swim test are considered non-swimmers and can go into the deep end of the pool as long as they remain within an arms-length of an adult. Non-swimmers in the deep end are strongly encouraged to wear a USCG approved flotation device/life jacket. A limited number of these are available to borrow in the lifeguard office for small children. Parents are encouraged to have their children take the swim test if they want them to swim unattended. Lifeguards will not make a child take the test without parental permission. Non-swimming children must be supervised by a responsible adult care provider. Care providers should be within one arm's reach of these children at all times. Non-swimmers are not bounded to stay within the roped area but must remain within the shallow end of the pool (the 3ft 6 in signs) unless accompanied by an adult who can touch the bottom Lifeguards have the authority to prevent anyone from entering the deep end of the pool if they deem it unsafe.
​
​ L) Swimming Lessons: The Board highly recommends swimming lessons for members, children or adults who are non-swimmers. Swim lessons are available from the Pool Management Company or members may hire private instructors. Members who hire Instructors who are not members of the RMRA are required to purchase a Guest Pass which will be used for each daily lesson. Only one punch of the Guest Pass is required for members who have multiple children within the same family receiving back-to-back instruction per day. However, if a back-to–back lesson involves another family, then the new family must use their Guest Pass for the follow-on lesson. Non-member instructors must be accompanied by the member while using the pool and must be recorded in the Member Sign-in Book. Instructors who are current RMRA members do not require a Guest Pass. Instructors must comply with all pool rules, to include scheduled breaks, and the lessons must be held during normal operating hours.
M) Lightning: The pool will be cleared and closed during any evidence of lightning. The pool will not reopen until there has been no lightning or thunder for 30 minutes, and if severe storms are predicted the pool may close for the day. Make emergency arrangements with your children if thunderstorms are predicted. Members' children should be instructed to follow the directions of the lifeguards during a storm.
​
N) Flotation Devices: Life Jackets and Coast Guard approved swimming aids will be allowed in the pool at the discretion of the lifeguards. Large flotation devices (large blow-up toys and floats) will be allowed in the pool on a case-by-case basis based upon the lifeguard’s ability to effectively see the entire pool area. Lifeguards have the authority to declare “floats out” if they cause a potential hazard. Other types of flotation devices and swimming aids must be approved by the guards and used at the guard discretion. Arm-worn floatation devices and noodles are not USCG approved. Inner tubes with closed centers or long valve stems will not be allowed. Do not stand on, hit, jump, or throw flotation devices from the side of the pool. A parent or responsible adult must be within one arm length reach of a non-swimming child at all times. Do not let a flotation device provide you with a false sense of security.
​
O) Baby Pool: Children using the Baby Pool must be supervised by a responsible care provider at all times. The lifeguards do not monitor the baby pool. The baby pool is for children ages 5 and under only.
​
P) Diving: Diving is only allowed from the deep end of the pool during supervised swim team practices and swim meets. In accordance with Red Cross and VA Health and Safety Department guidelines (where 9 feet of water is required for recreational diving), no diving is allowed during all other times (pool parties, normal pool operating hours, etc.).
​
Q) Horseplay: No running, hitting, throwing swimmers, flipping towels, sitting on shoulders, wrestling, dunking or grabbing heads or necks or any other unsafe disturbance will be allowed.
​
R) Grounds: Parents are advised to warn their children that the parking lot, woods and street are not Running Man playgrounds and they should exercise extreme caution in these areas, especially when vehicles are present.
​
S) Illness or Sickness: Admission may be refused to anyone with skin abrasions, infectious sores, colds, cough, inflamed eyes or wearing bandages at the discretion of the Management Team.
​
T) Pool Furniture: The Association provides some furniture for member/guest use. If you bring your own personal chair/lounge please mark it with your name. For safety do not rock or lean back in chairs. Do not stand in chairs or on benches and tables. Personal furniture will not be stored at the pool facility. Please do not gather pool furniture from different parts of the deck unless approved by the lifeguards.
​
U) Music: Music played at the pool must be at low volume and must be located a significant distance from the guards, so as not to distract or prevent them from hearing a cry for help. You will be asked to turn off music with abusive or profane language.
​
V) Lifeguards: Members should not engage in conversations with the guards while they are on duty. Unless there is an emergency, please ask questions during rest periods.
​
W) Office/Clubhouse: Swimmers are not allowed in the lifeguard office or clubhouse, except for the bathroom and water fountain areas.
​
X) Telephones: Cell phones are welcome. The office phone is for use of the Management Team and for emergency use only.
Y) Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is available in the clubhouse and pool area. The Wi-Fi password is posted on the bulletin board.