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Rec and Aquatic Center Rules

This page lists the general guidelines pertaining to the Rec and Aquatic Center facilities

Assumption of Risk

Individuals are encouraged to have a physical examination and obtain adequate health and accident insurance prior to participation in any Recreation and Wellness activity. UWF does not provide insurance coverage for participants. Individuals who participate in Recreation and Wellness activities will be doing so at their own risk. Participation is voluntary, and The University of West Florida is not responsible for injuries that may occur to individuals.

UWF Sport Club Liability Waiver

This UWF Sport Club Liability form is for teams or individuals participating in UWF Sport Club practices or events. 

Membership Policy

The facility is subject to closure for special events, maintenance and training. Effective September 2024, extensions of membership will be issued when an unexpected closure arises during the first seven days of the membership period. Recreation can suspend or discontinue memberships with notice. UWF does not provide insurance coverage, and individuals who participate in recreational activities do so at their own risk.

Rules and Regulations

  • Entry into the Rec Facilities requires a valid Nautilus Card or scanning in via the UWF RECWELL app.
  • Scheduled University activities take precedence.
  • Inappropriate behavior may result in the termination of facility use with no refund. As a university patron, you will be expected to abide by all university policies.
  • Proper, non-marking athletic shoes are required.
  • No food, gum or drink, with the exception of water, is allowed in the facility.
  • No use of photographic equipment without prior approval is allowed in the facility. For approval, please contact recreation@uwf.edu.
  • UWF Recreation and Wellness is not responsible for any lost and/or stolen items.

Fitness Center Rules

  • Participants must be at least 16 years of age.
  • Top, bottom, and closed-toe, closed-heel athletic shoes are required.
  • Jeans or clothing with zippers or exposed metal are not permitted.
  • Equipment must be used for the manner in which it is designed.
  • Equipment may not be altered or removed from the Fitness Center.
  • Slamming, dropping of weights or loose chalk is prohibited.
  • Weight collars are required on all free bar lifts with plates.
  • Unauthorized personal training is prohibited. No solicitation is allowed.
  • Fitness staff have complete authority. Please respect the enforcement of rules and regulations.

Pool Rules

  • No food and only water are permitted on the wet deck.
  • Lifeguards are on duty for your safety. Follow their directions at all times.
  • Shower with soap before entering the pool.
  • Swimming is permitted only when a lifeguard is on duty in the designated swimming area.
  • Running, shoving, pushing and horseplay are prohibited.
  • Diving is not allowed in the shallow end.
  • Non-swimmers must stay in the shallow area; this includes those wearing life jackets.
  • Patrons must stay off lane lines.
  • Only Coast Guard Approved Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs, aka life jackets) are allowed; inflatables/pool floats are not.
  • Only joggers, water walkers and rehab patients are allowed in the lanes with PFDs.
  • Starting blocks may be used only by swim team members during a scheduled practice time when coaches are on deck. 

Diving Area Rules–Think Safety First!

To ensure patrons are capable of swimming and using the diving boards, a 25-yard swim test must be administered in the shallow end.

  • The diving well must be entered only from the diving boards.
  • Only one person at a time is allowed on the diving board and ladder.
  • Only skilled or trained divers may adjust the fulcrum. Lifeguards may restrict fulcrum usage.
  • Make sure the person in front of you has passed the blue and white flags before entering the water.
  • Goggles and fins are not permitted on the diving boards.
  • No running on the diving board.
  • Only feet may touch the diving board.
  • Only one bounce is allowed on the diving board.
  • Jump or dive from the front of the diving board, not from the sides.
  • Swimming under the diving board is prohibited.
  • High dive users must be at least as tall as the yellow line on the wall behind the diving boards.
  • Flipping, back dives and inwards may be discontinued by the diving area lifeguard.
  • High board divers exit at the left ladder; low board divers exit at the right ladder.
  • All dive team members must obey the diving area rules when not at practice.

Sauna and Whirlpool Rules

  • Patrons must be at least 16 years old to enter the sauna and whirlpool area.
  • A ten-minute maximum is the established safety time limit.
  • A shower is required before entering the whirlpool.
  • The whirlpool is maintained at a temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Pregnant women are restricted from this area unless they have a note from their doctor*.
  • Do not put water or oil on the dry sauna rocks.
  • Food and beverages are not permitted in the sauna and whirlpool area.

*Guidelines established by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists discourage competitive exercise and working out in hot and humid weather and recommend that pregnant women not exercise strenuously for more than 15 minutes. Their heart rate should not exceed 140 beats per minute, and their body temperature should not rise above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Since the whirlpool and sauna both exceed 100.4 degrees, they are off-limits during pregnancy.

 

Registration for Group Swim Lessons

Registration will begin one month before the start of the Swim Lesson. To Register, contact our Aquatic Center or visit during open hours. All swim classes accommodate a range of skills. Instructors have the skills and training to handle each student's needs within the same class setting. 

If you need assistance selecting the right level for your child, please call the Aquatic Center at 850.474.2497.

Low Enrollment

When there are less than 3 students in a class, you may be required to switch to a different class time offering. If you prefer to stay in the time slot after being notified of the change, the private or semi-private lesson rate will apply.

Prepayment, Make-up Lessons and Refund

Payment is made at the time of registration. We accept cash, checks and credit cards. 

For participant cancellation or withdrawal requests received seven (7) days or more in advance of the session start date, payment will be applied as a credit to the family account and honored in full minus a $25 administration fee and any deposits, convenience or registration fees.

No make-up classes are offered for lessons missed by participants. Cancellations of lessons due to inclement weather or other circumstances beyond our control will be made up through an open swim credit. If the UWF Administration requires the Aquatic Center to close and cancel a lesson, official information about university closings and re-openings will be available from the campus radio station, WUWF 88.1FM., or via the UWF Newsroom or the official UWF Twitter account. Families of children currently enrolled in lessons will be provided a rainy-day pass, which will allow them a one-time free admission to the facility to practice their skills during family recreational swim hours. Instructors will not be available during this time. Parents should come prepared to enter the water and must stay within arm's reach of their child.

Observing Swim Lessons

Weekday entry is through the Main Lobby entrance on the north side of the facility. Check in with the Front Desk Attendant. Saturday morning entry is through the Courtyard entrance on the east side of the facility. A door will be propped open for entry. Check-in with your instructor. Please wait on the bleachers for your instructor's signal that they are ready to begin the lesson. 

Before entering the pool water, please have your child(ren) remove gum or candy from their mouth, remove all adhesive bandages, and use the restroom. All swimmers should stay out of the water when they are ill with diarrhea, even if they are wearing swim diapers or swim pants. The risk of contaminating the pool with feces and germs can make others sick.

Although we encourage parents to be active and knowledgeable about their swimmer’s learning experience to provide the best learning environment, family members are not allowed on the pool wet deck during lessons. They may observe swim lessons from the bleachers located on the east side of the pool deck or opt to enter the water with their child to participate in the lesson. This allows for fewer distractions for all students. For parents who choose to remain in the bleachers, if you find your child continually trying to interact with you during their class, we encourage you to move out of the immediate area so that their attention remains focused on their instructor.

Parents should remain available (no matter the age of the participant) in order to escort children safely to and from the restroom or to be available in cases of emergencies, inclement weather, or questions. After each lesson, please be available for the instructor to give you verbal progress updates and feedback on your swimmer’s progress.

Swim Diapers/Swim Pants Policy

Children in diapers or those who are not completely toilet trained may use disposable or reusable swim diapers or swim pants. Parents should be aware that even though swim diapers and swim pants might hold in some solid feces, they are not leakproof and must be checked frequently. 

 

Individual Sports' Rules

Sport Club Membership and Organization

Membership in a sport club is open to any fee-paying UWF student. Faculty and staff members may become involved in accordance with the Club’s constitution or as advisors/instructors. Find more information about Sport Club Membership and Organization in our Confluence page. 

Outdoor Adventures Trip Information

Payment

Full payment is required at registration unless otherwise specified on the trip’s registration page. If unpaid within two weeks of the trip/event start date, your spot will be bumped (with prior notification). Waitlisted individuals receive priority for open spots.

Trip Preparation

Check the registration page and itinerary for meeting locations and special instructions.

Refund Policy

A 7% University fee applies to all personal refunds. Requests must be submitted by the deadline, typically 14 days before the trip/event. If a trip is canceled due to weather or low participation, participants may either retain their spot for a rescheduled date or receive a full refund.

Guest Policy

Each participant may sponsor one guest, requiring a separate registration and full payment. Sponsors are responsible for their guests and must accompany them. OA trips follow the Rec Facility guest policy—see our policies page for details.

OA trip participation honors the Rec Facility guest policy—see our Rec Center Rules page for details.