Laura Huchzermeyer

Review of CYPRESS CREEK YMCA

UPDATE: The nice folks responded immediately after...

UPDATE: The nice folks responded immediately after I sent them a friendly email about the situation. while they can t change the swim test requirement (it s a national YMCA rule) they did offer to set us up with help from their swimming instructor in order to help my son with his swimming skills. They were prompt and courteous and I can tell they want to figure this out.

What a nice family pool! Sadly we were unable to fully enjoy it. I would like to suggest that the YMCA rethink their super strict swim test policy and to accommodate children with special needs. My son is 7 and is on the autism spectrum. He loves swimming and slides and I thought this would be a great place to take him on a hot summer afternoon. This YMCA has two gentle looking taller slides and a kiddy splash pad with a small slide. In order to be allowed to use the taller slides you have to swim about 20 feet in the deep end and then float on your stomach and back for Five seconds each. We gave it a shot and my son was able to doggie paddle the 20 feet but didn t quite understand the command to float. So he failed. Was given a red tape wristband and we were told he could not use the slides. So we proceeded to the kiddy area to try to use the smaller slide. But were informed my son was too tall to use that slide. His heart was broken and he just didn t understand. I asked the lifeguards if there was anything we could do? As the slide dump out area is only 3feet 8 inches a depth that my son can easily just stand up in, no back floating or paddling needed. Plus there is life guard stationed there at all times. No we re we re told... no slide for you. Needless to say this was an unpleasant swimming experience and my son cried the entire time we were there. Won t be coming back for a long time... I guess until we can meet those overly strict requirements.