Swimming & Boating

• Swimming for patrons is permitted in the designated, buoyed areas and only when a Hale lifeguard is on duty.

• Flotation devices are allowed only in the first and second shallow bins with the permission of the staff. 

• Running on or swimming under the docks is not permitted; non-swimmers are not allowed on the docks unsupervised. Swimmers should use the ramps to walk onto the dock; stepping onto the side of the ramps is not permitted.

• All swimmers are required to wear swimsuits; babies must wear plastic pants over their diapers.

• Fishing is permitted in designated areas and prohibited from swimming areas. We encourage catch and release. We also ask that you do not use food as bait. 

• When swimming lessons are in session, other swimmers may not interrupt or interfere with classes. If disruptive, lifeguards may ask free swimmers to leave the class’ vicinity.

• Diving is only allowed on the raft or on the back dock when supervised by a swim instructor during a lesson.

Outside of boating lessons offered, neighbors are permitted to take out the boats on a first-come, first-served basis. Boats open 30 minutes after the gate opens and close 30 minutes before the gate closes. 

To Borrow a Boat:

• Head over to the boating area, speak to the boating attendant (or a staff member), and tell them what kind of boat you would like to take out. Staff will sign you out so that we know who is out in the boats. 

• Grab a correctly sized PFD. Everyone in a boat must be wearing a buckled, snug, and well-fit PFD (no exceptions). PFDs from home must be coastguard-approved type I, II, or III. Children are welcome to wear puddle jumpers from home. 

• Staff will give you the tools needed (paddles, oars, etc.) and bring your boat to the water’s edge for launch

• When you are back, please pull your boat up on the shore and bring paddles back to the guard shack. Please hang up PFDs. 

Who can take out a boat?

• Adults and children over 13 years old may take out any boat consistent with their ability.

• Children 12 years old or younger must pass a swim test to take out boats alone. If they have not yet passed the swim test, they may go out on a boat with an adult who is over 18 years old. For SUPs or single kayaks, an adult over 18 must be within ten feet of the child who has not passed 

• Sailboats can only be taken out by those who are able to rig and de-rig the boat and are able to show that they can sail a short distance. 

Boating Rules:

• Lifejackets must fit correctly and must be worn the entire time you are in the boat. 

• Because boats can carry invasive algae and bacteria from outside waters, we only allow Hale-owned boats on any of Hale's ponds.

• Please stay at least 100 feet away from the swimming area so as to avoid hitting a swimmer. 

• Boats must return immediately to South Beach if three whistles are heard or at the first sign of thunder or lightning. If there is a sudden storm and you cannot get to shore quickly, park your boat at any shore. If you know where you are and can hike around back to South Beach, or if you see Hale staff with another program, you may leave the boat behind. Otherwise, please stay near the boat and wait out the storm. 

• Please do not beach or dock boats anywhere but the South Beach boating area except in an emergency.

• Remain seated at all times, and resist rocking the boat or ramming into other boats. 

• Remain in your boat at all times. Noanet Pond was once a wetland with tree stumps and boulders. Jumping out of the boat may cause injury if you hit a hidden obstacle. 

• If a boat tips over, stay with it. Reposition your body to the beachside of the boat, and signal for help by yelling and waving your arms. 

• On busy days, please be considerate of others by limiting the time you use the boats. 

How many people can you have in your boat?

• Canoe - Max. 4 humans (Max. 2 adults)

• Rowboat - Max 5 humans

• Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) - Max 2 humans (Max 1 adult)

• Kayak - Max 1 human

• Double Kayak - Max 2 humans

• Sailboat - Max 4 humans (Max 2 adults)