Restarting Swim Training
27 Jul 2020
To all members of Dursley Dolphins,
RESTARTING SWIM TRAINING
We are delighted to be able to let you know that we are in a position to resume swim training next Friday (31 July). Obviously, given the current situation with COVID 19, things will be very different to what we are used to. In order to keep all swimmers, coaches and volunteers safe, we have to adhere closely to Swim England guidance, to our own risk assessments and to the rules laid down by The Pulse. It is, therefore, vitally important that you read all the information in this email very carefully.
Sessions until end of August 2020
For now, the only pool time we can get is at The Pulse, Dursley on Fridays between 7.15 - 10 pm. We can have a maximum of 20 swimmers per session. All swimmers are welcome to attend these, regardless of their ‘normal’ sessions.
For the next five Fridays (up to and including 28 August) the situation will be as follows. Each week, anyone wishing to swim needs to inform the club no later than 12 noon on the Wednesday of that week. We will then liaise with the Pulse as to how many sessions we will run that week – obviously sessions may be run with mixed ages and abilities but they will be differentiated on ability. We will then inform those swimmers of the exact timing of their session We cannot confirm timings of sessions until we have confirmed numbers - some weeks may run with only an earlier session, whilst others may have 2.
The cost for all will be £7 per session and you will only pay for the sessions, which the swimmer books in for by Wednesday. Details of how we will ask for payment will be sent after the Committee ‘meets’ on Monday evening.
Before you return to swimming
Thank you to all who have returned the COVID survey – if you have not done so, please do – or just send an email to let us know whether your swimmer(s) would like to return to training immediately/later/or not at all.
Rest assured that if you would like to return to swimming, but cannot do so yet (for whatever reason) that you will be more than welcome to return to training with Dursley Dolphins when the time is right for you. Just keep in touch and let us know when you are ready!
In order to comply with the current guidelines all swimmers are required to complete a health survey and all swimmers, coaches and volunteers must complete a COVID 19 declaration. We need to have an actual signature on these (you can complete and send us a photograph or scan of the forms). These need to be returned by email before you attend a swimming session we will not be able to allow the swimmer into the building if we do not have their forms on file. We will not be handling pieces of paper at swim sessions. **If we have not received these forms before your first session you will not be allowed to join the session**
Please read the declaration carefully, as you are agreeing that by attending all sessions you are agreeing that you are symptom free.
These forms are both attached to this email – if you have already returned your health form you do not need to send it again.
What will happen when you attend swim sessions
With regard to what will actually happen before during and after sessions please read the following information carefully. We, as a committee, have been working hard during lockdown, we have been in close contact with Swim England regarding the latest government guidelines. On Friday the Chair and Welfare Officer met with the manager at the Pulse. We have now finalised our COVID 19 risk assessment, this is available to anyone who would like to read it. The Pulse have their own risk assessments and procedures which you should read on their website. They are also in the process of producing a video walk through of what to expect, which will also be on their website in the next few days.
The Committee will act as COVID lead for the club, which means we will liaise with all necessary parties and be responsible for ensuring that we all adhere to all guidelines regarding COVID-19.
All swimmers should remain outside and socially distanced until 5 minutes before the start of their session (in line with government guidance Dursley Dolphins recommends against sharing lifts with members of other households). A Dursley Dolphins volunteer will be outside the door to ensure social distancing is observed and that all swimmers have completed the necessary declarations before they enter. They will also register each swimmer (via Swim Club Manager, as we will not be handling pieces of paper).
Please note that absolutely no spectators will be allowed. The only people permitted on poolside are our coaches and The Pulse staff (who will provide lifeguarding/first aid/ and will be responsible for ensuring that social distancing measures are maintained by all at all times.
Swimmers will be directed, via the one-way system to the changing rooms. They then change for swimming before following the one-way system to poolside – clothes/bags can be left in the cubicle as no-one else will be in the building.
Each swimmer will have a space on poolside to leave their water bottle and any equipment. This will be 2m from the next swimmer and will be where they return to between sets and to drink or fetch equipment.
After the session swimmers will leave poolside via the one way system and return to their changing rooms. They then have 5 minutes to change so that the pool staff can clean all surfaces before the swimmers enter for the next session. The volunteer outside will ensure that swimmers leave one by one and that those under 14 are collected by their responsible adult.
Parents are discouraged from entering the building, but if they choose to do so they must remain in their child’s changing room for the whole session. All parents must be contactable at all times during a session in case of emergency and may wish to remain in the car park.
The situation for Dursley Dolphins moving forward
This is a totally new situation for all of us and things are likely to change over the coming weeks and months. It is very important that we keep in touch. If and when things change we will keep all swimmers informed by email, so please look out for and read any messages which we send. Hopefully we will be able to increase sessions - there is a possibility of more time at the Pulse and we are talking to Wycliffe and other providers, trying to get more pool time.
As you have seen from the survey, we are asking for any parent/carer who is willing to volunteer to let us know. Now, more than ever, it would be great to have as many people as possible involved with helping us to run the club in these challenging times.
Please be assured that we are taking all possible measures to keep our swimmers, staff and volunteers safe in the current climate. If you have any questions or concerns please do get in touch with the committee by replying to this email. If you prefer you can contact the Welfare Officer in confidence via [email protected]
From
Dursley Dolphins Committee
