Lifeguarding outside of a professionally controlled environment presents some challenges for property owners, their guests and lifeguards. Before finalizing payment for your event, please read the following policies carefully so you know what you can expect from our professional lifeguards in order to keep your event safe and running smoothly.

​

1. Payment

Bookings are confirmed upon receipt of full payment. If payment has not been received and no alternative arrangements have been made in writing, lifeguards will not attend your event.

Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations are 50% refundable up to 24 hours before your event start, effective immediately after booking. Rescheduling may be subject to a $50 re-booking fee. If lifeguards are not available to reschedule, the booking is 50% refundable. Cancellations within 24 hours are non-refundable. See No. 4 Weather Policy for details on weather cancellations.

​

2. Pool Requirements

The booking party (which may differ from the pool owner) is responsible for ensuring the following conditions are met:

• Water Clarity: The pool’s bottom drain must be clearly visible from the deck;

• Water Cleanliness: The pool must be free from algae, foam, and other debris;

• Water Sanitation: Filtration systems must be operational. Clients are strongly encouraged to check chlorine levels as part of party preparation (including saltwater pools); and

• Pool Deck: Free from any debris, clutter, damage, construction, etc.

Failure to Comply:
Lifeguards will not supervise pools that are unsafe or unsanitary. If conditions are not met, lifeguards will leave the premises, and all fees paid will be forfeited.

​

3. Supervision Requirements

Notifying your guests that lifeguards are present for the safety of ALL guests is a great idea. For those who will be attending with non-swimmers, they should be prepared to have a parent/guardian present with them IN the water so that lifeguards can effectively watch all swimmers. All non-swimmers, including adults, should remain in the shallow end.​ A visual barrier (i.e. rope/buoy-line) separating the shallow from deep end is highly recommended.

​

If lifeguards arrive and the guest count is higher than expected and supersedes the supervision criteria above, they will do their best to recruit the appropriate number of lifeguards, at the organizer's expense. If this is not possible, the guest count will need to be amended immediately or lifeguards will leave the property, and Marlin Swim Academy Inc. will not be held liable for guest safety thereafter. Parents remain responsible for their children and all fees paid will be forfeited.

​

If the behaviour of organizers and/or guests results in an unsafe environment for lifeguards, including but not limited to abuse of any kind, whether influenced by alcohol or other illicit drug use or not, lifeguards will leave the property, and all fees will be forfeited. Marlin Swim Academy Inc. will not be held liable for guest safety thereafter. 

​

4. Weather Policy

Outdoor events carry an inherent weather risk. Lifeguards will continue to supervise during rain until visibility is impaired, at which point the pool will be cleared.

• At the first sound of thunder, lifeguards will clear the pool immediately.

• Swimming will not resume until 30 minutes have passed since the last sound of thunder.

Failure to Comply:
If guests or the event organizer refuse to follow lifeguard instructions, this will be considered an unsafe work environment. Lifeguards will leave the property, and all fees paid will be forfeited. Marlin Swim Academy Inc. will not be held liable for guest safety thereafter. Parents remain responsible for their children.

Rain Date Rescheduling:
Clients may reschedule their booking with at least 24 hours’ notice, subject to lifeguard availability.
Same-day cancellations, prior to arrival, due to weather are 50% refundable. The booking fee is non-refundable once the party has started and lifeguards are on-site.

​

5. First Aid

If two or more lifeguards are on duty, basic first aid can be administered without interrupting pool supervision. If only one lifeguard is present, or first aid requires both lifeguards, the pool will be cleared before first aid is provided to ensure continued safety for all guests.

​

6. Pool Rules

Lifeguards are happy to enforce any custom house rules in addition to the following standard safety rules. Please inform the team upon arrival if you have specific requests.

Standard Safety Rules Enforced:

• No running on the pool deck

• No breath-holding games

• No diving unless a designated safe zone is established

• No roughhousing or excessive horseplay

• Non-swimmers must remain in shallow areas and/or wear a lifejacket

• Children under 6 are strongly encouraged to have a parent in the water with them
   

7. Emergencies

In the event of a critical emergency, lifeguards are required to call 911 immediately. This includes but is not limited to:

• Severe head injuries

• Suspected spinal injuries

• Loss of consciousness (even briefly)

• Seizures

• Loss of limb

• Cardiac arrest or suspected drowning

If a guest has a known medical condition, please notify the lifeguards upon arrival. Another guest familiar with the condition should remain on-site throughout the duration of the event. If a lifeguard determines emergency services are required—even if the guest disagrees—911 will be called. The guest may decline treatment upon paramedic arrival. The individual will not be permitted to re-enter the pool while awaiting medical attention.

​

8. Arrival and Departure

Lifeguards will arrive at the scheduled booking time, ready to begin supervision. Please ensure someone is available to greet the lifeguard upon arrival to review any specific house rules or expectations for the event.

​

Lifeguards will end their supervision at the scheduled end time, regardless of whether the party is still ongoing. Once the booking period has ended and the lifeguard has left, pool supervision becomes the sole responsibility of the host.

​

If you require lifeguards to show up early, or stay late, this time will need to be booked and paid for in advance. It is sometimes a good idea to have the lifeguards arrive before your guests so you can greet everyone appropriately. It is also a good idea to have them leave a bit later, or before the party officially ends, so they don't need to interrupt you while leaving.

​

**These policies are subject to change without notice.