Where can we lap it up?
One of the most popular questions asked on Facebook during #MySummerPoolTour2024 (second only to queries about accessible pool entry) was whether there were dedicated lap lanes in each public pool. The sad answer is “No,” at least in most cases.
This is so very sad in light of the historical significance of Philadelphia swim teams like the one coached by JIm Ellis. Without the ability to practice, where will Philly’s next generations of champions practice without having to pay?
Where can lap swimmers work out in philly pools?
Francisville, Cruz, Max Myers and Vogt have extended deeper water areas that naturally attract lap swimmers, although there are not roped off lanes or even necesarily lane lines in those locations.
In the 2024 season these were the observed options for lap swimming
1. O’Connor Pool has a roped off lane for laps that is stays roped off even during free swims, although kids jump into that lane freely without correction.
2. Lee Pool added a lap lane (at least for adult swim periods) in Jul 2024.
3 Francisville, Cruz, has an elongated deep end that is favored by lap swimmer and seems to naturally select for that although it is not part of the planning.
4.Kelly Pool has multiple dedicated lap lanes at all times, a system that should serve as a model for other Philly public pools

Kelly Pool as a system model laps swimming at other pools
In the Olympic sized Kelly Pool there are three ingeniously planned permanent swimming lanes dedicated exclusively to laps swimming. These three lanes account for a vertical half of the pool- one fast swimming lane, one medium speed lane and one slow swimming lane. This plan focused on-duty lifeguards in a more organized fashion- , one guard monitors the lap swimmers and the remaining on-duty guards monitored free swimmers, game players and splashing families in the other half of the pool during free swim.. This System could easily be copied in other pools, especially large pools like Hunting Park, Cobbs Creek , Finnegan and even Gathers as well the L-shaped T-shaped pools with a longer deeper water section like Francisville, Cruz, Max Myers and Vogt
Ask your pool to provide dedicated lap lane swimming because of the benefits:
1. Increasing the safety focus on beginners by separating advanced swimmers
2. Providing space for athletic practice of amateur and professional swimmers
3. Allowing adults / advanced swimmers move freely without interacting with or bumping beginners
4. Encouraging stamina practice for a generation of much needed potential lifeguards of all ages to assuage the current national shortage of lifeguards.

Kelly Pool as a system model laps swimming at other pools
In the Olympic sized Kelly Pool there are three ingeniously planned permanent swimming lanes dedicated exclusively to laps swimming. These three lanes account for a vertical half of the pool- one fast swimming lane, one medium speed lane and one slow swimming lane. This plan focused on-duty lifeguards in a more organized fashion- , one guard monitors the lap swimmers and the remaining on-duty guards monitored free swimmers, game players and splashing families in the other half of the pool during free swim.. This System could easily be copied in other pools, especially large pools like Hunting Park, Cobbs Creek , Finnegan and even Gathers as well the L-shaped T-shaped pools with a longer deeper water section like Francisville, Cruz, Max Myers and Vogt
Ask your pool to provide dedicated lap lane swimming because of the benefits:
1. Increasing the safety focus on beginners by separating advanced swimmers
2. Providing space for athletic practice of amateur and professional swimmers
3. Allowing adults / advanced swimmers move freely without interacting with or bumping beginners
4. Encouraging stamina practice for a generation of much needed potential lifeguards of all ages to assuage the current national shortage of lifeguards.

The basics- learning to swim

All Philadelphia pools offer children’s swim lessons (and offer swim teams for advanced youth swimmers) . These basic programs are a vital resource given that children who do not receive swimming instruction are much more likely to die of accidental drowning than children who have been taught to hold their breath and swim.

In addition to widely available youth swim instruction, it turns out that and some Philly playground pools offer (less commonly publicized) adult swim lessons (often during adult swim hours) , so make sure to ask your lifeguard.
Unfortunately, there is no central listing of all swim lessons, but virtually individual pool has time allotted for kids swim lessons during their weekday schedules, sometimes through day camp programs. Therefore, you must contact/visit/reach out to your individual pool to find out what lessons are on the schedule and register for classes.

Lifeguard Training for Career Opportunities

Philadelphia is not immune from the nationwide shortage of lifeguards, and short staffing is often the reason cited for seasonal or even temporary pool closures. The City of Philadelphia has done extensive fundraising to hire additional guards. This funding has allowed the City government to enhance recruitment efforts with bonus compensation and free training offers specifically aimed at youth ages 16-24.
Lifeguarding is a great first job and an awesome summer job for students and theses opportunities are potentially quite sweet. However these recruiting efforts could benefit from Philadelphia City government widening the scope of their recruitment search.
According to newer lifeguards who fall outside of this age range, the offered cash bonus incentives are available to anyone who applies for the job (which is only fair), so why not actively advertise these offers to a larger audience that includes Philadelphia’s unemployed (up to 5% of residents in June- August 2024) as well under employed Millennial and Gen X folks or athletically inclined retired adults many of whom could benefit from a seasonal full time job with bonuses and training. There are many Philadelphian’s older than 16-24 who could consider this as a potent gig with the training that provides opportunity to improve strength and overall wellness. Included bonuses should rightfully include free certification even for applicants over the age of 24 (which is contrary to the advertised procedure.
Additionally, the overall City procedure for applying to train and become a guard (or even a pool attendant) could be streamlined and the process made more transparent and inviting. . Although the physical qualifications for the job description are clearly spelled out with certification fees waived for youth, if you look at the page off-season there is no clear direction regarding how to sign up for the free training mentioned.
In 2025 I was inspired to apply and went to Lincoln High School pre-season to see if I could be trained to be a lifeguard (I can dive and swim in deep water but don’t know the specific strokes and the ad offered training for applicants). I was met by a kind woman at least my age who just kinda shook her head and told me to look online and learn the strokes and come back to apply when I could do 20 laps. I struggled just to do three laps in everything except swimming on my back and I did look up some youtube videos but I just couldn’t get the hang of it. I went back a total of four or five times and I asked if there were adult swim lessons available but nobody seemed to know.
There is a link to a form to fill out in the off season on the City website which promises email updates, but there does not appear to be any time-table for when applications and training are scheduled that is made visible year round so at least people who sign up for email notifications will have an idea when to expect a response. If one wanted to learn how to apply the only options are to sign up for an email list or to contact the aquatics director.
Finally, wouldn’t it greatly expand the talent pool, so to speak, if each neighborhood pool prioritized and encouraged lap swimming and lifeguard training? In 2024 there were only three Philly public pools with dedicated lap lanes (Kelly Pool had the only dedicated lap lanes with Olympic length that would meet the published lap swimming requirements). How can potential applicants train for the required abilities when there are no public pools with 12 foot depth or lap lanes where it is convenient or even possible to practice? Without advertised adult swim lessons, how would young adults aged 18-24 train and prepare to screen for a lifeguard position?