Rockaway YMCA,

207 Beach 73rd Street, Queens, NY 11692

"Pool manager is very rude. I have been swimming at the YMCA for years and have never had an issue until this manager came in, yelling at me for taking small breaks at the wall, and talking to fellow swimmers— neither of which are explicitly listed as against the rules. I am proficient in all four strokes, swimming competitively from the time I was 4, yet every single time I am asked my age and kicked out— even if the pool is empty. To make it worse, there’s only 5 1-hour time slots per week for swimmers 13-17 years old. At that time, adults are STILL allowed to swim, and the lanes are completely packed with young swimmers— primarily lifeguards training to keep our beaches safe in the Summer. Unbelievable."

"I am 16, training to be a lifeguard, and when I swim when the rude manager is there, she makes me get out of the pool even if no one else is there because of “adult swim.” Meanwhile, many members of the YMCA are under 18, and if they only get 1.5 hours of swim time, something is very wrong. I am a very good swimmer, who doesn’t take many breaks, while there an are adults practically stopping every few seconds. something needs to change."

"Very disheartening and scary to enter and see the huge” black lives matter “ banner displayed upon entering. Especially with the recent depiction by blm showing Hamas hang gliders on the same banner at their headquarters. An establishment like this ( or any) isn’t a place for political banners."

"Though very clean, the staff is not that great including the life guards, many of which are rude or prejudice. I will say that the Aquatic Director is very helpful and friendly but she can’t represent the entire staff by herself. So I wish I could rate this YMCA based on her alone but I can’t."