Oxford Aquatic Center

We absolutely had a blast the two times we have been. We will be back in 2024 many times

I visited Oxford Aquatic Center on 8/8/23 with my teenager, my 2 year old, and my 2 month old. My 2 year old had a Swimways swim trainer that was coast guard approved and was allowed to use it in any pool at the facility. I brought along a foam (non-inflatable, non-popable) infant float with a canopy to spend time in the shallow pool with my 2 month old but I was not permitted to use it as it was not coast guard approved.

As a previous swimmer for many years, I do understand the importance of proper equipment when swimming with young children. However there is a very, very small (nearly nonexistent) number of floatation devices for very small infants. Oxford Aquatic Center's policy is telling parents they'd rather them hold their infant in their arms (which are wet and maybe slippery) around other kids (who may not be that parent's kids, and not respectful) and increase the odds of a baby slipping from their grasp, because apparently that is better than just having a lifeguard inspect/test the floatation device and approve it based on condition and proven effectiveness.

I wanted to introduce my baby to water early in her life to help her gain a love and respect for it, but OAC didn't want to help with this goal.

We recently went to a birthday party here and the staff and facility were great. It was a great place for both kids and adults to relax and have fun. I was a bit caught off guard by the fact that you had to take a swim test in order to use some of the equipment. We don’t typically go to public pools so this may be the norm and I just didn’t realize it.

I'm not sure if I want to encourage people to come here because I want it to myself. I would much rather be here than any big water park. It's a great place to be