Finally. After 3 long months, the pools are open. Swimmers, athletes, lifeguards, instructors, parents seem fairly excited to return. Much has been decided recently about the new normals that would now exist in swimming pools and aquatic programs. In addition to standard health guidelines, specific aquatic guidelines include
- reduced capacity
- swimming-by-appointment
- limited or no access to changing rooms and bathrooms
- separate entrance & exit, traffic flow control
- limited aquatic programming & equipment
- health check requirements
- 2m social distancing at all times
- sanitize hands entrance and exit
- lots of signage
So what will the swim lesson experience be like now?
Well let’s start with your options. This is a great article discussing the different swim lesson programs that will be possible post-covid, ranging from at-home swim lessons (safest, less risky) to outdoor private swim lessons, outdoor group lessons, then indoor private and indoor group lessons (still safe, more risky). We’ll explore the first two options which are the only ones available this summer, but first..
What is a Contactless Lesson?
Contactless lessons are now required under the current phase of most provinces’ Economic Reopening Plan. In
Quebec for example, the aquatic industry was just recently permitted to restart under very limited conditions, and outdoor swim lessons were only just recently given the green light as long as they follow strict guidelines put forth by the ARAQ group, which represents the aquatic industry in Quebec. The key condition is maintaining a 2m distance between instructors and swimmers, thus the notion of a “no contact” swim lesson. Read this great article for an in-depth explanation on how classes will be adapted to provide no contact instruction.
The At Home Swim Lesson Experience
This premium service is definitely the safest option, and the most convenient. Instructors come right to your house, in your pool, you hardly have to lift a finger. Indeed, as convenient as it comes. Here’s a full play-by-play of what you can expect..
Let’s start with the instructor side of things. Your instructor’s day prior to teaching your swim lessons will start with a mandatory company health check which is screened by management. Before leaving for their lessons, your instructor will prepare their safety kit (which includes PPEs, sanitizer, sunscreen, whistle etc). Once they arrive at your house they will sanitize their hands, put on PPEs as needed, and come to the door. After a pleasant introduction they will go around your house and into the backyard. At all times the instructors will maintain a 2m distance, and wear their mask or shield if they must come closer. Including during the lesson. They will follow strict protocols and favor teaching techniques that are more effective at a distance.
On the client side of things, it is important that the host is providing a safe environment for the instructor to come teach in. Thus, parents will have to ensure that they can provide around-the-house access to the backyard, that pool chemistry is maintained at recommended levels (thus neutralizing any potentially harmful virus), and that swim lesson equipment is properly disinfected before the instructor arrives. Finally, and most importantly host families must perform a health check before their lesson. Here is an excellent online self health-check tool provided by the federal government.
During the lesson, the instructor will maintain a safe distance, and use proper protection if they come within 2m of your swimmer. Though hands-on teaching techniques will be avoided, through visual, audio and mirroring teaching techniques your child will still get a challenging and fun swim lesson. Following the lesson, the instructor will quickly exit your backyard, sanitize their hands and report the A-OK to their supervisor.
Outdoor Public Pool Private Swim Lessons
For those who do not have their own pool, another great low-risk option is a private lesson at an outdoor pool. While there aren’t many pools that are offering this service, the few that are will be stringently employing the mandated health & safety requirements listed at the top of this article.
Remember that on-site there will be limited or no access to bathrooms and changing rooms, so be sure your swimmer goes to the bathroom and changes into their bathing suit before leaving. Similarly, it will be recommended to show up just before your lesson starts, so there is less lounging and waiting around before your class, thus reducing the congestion around the pool. Lastly, only 1 parent per swimmer will be encouraged to limit the number of people on site, so plan accordingly.
Once you arrive at the pool, expect an employee to greet you at the gate and ask you the usual health-check questions. If there is a line to get in, please respect the 2m distance between people. Assuming you all pass this check, you will be offered hand sanitizer and instructed to follow the signage to the designated waiting area.
When it is your lesson time, your instructor will come get you and guide into the pool at the designated entry points. Rest assured equipment is being sterilized between lessons, so any swim tools will be safe and ready for your child. Your instructor, once again avoiding any hands-on instruction, will be utilizing visual, audio and mirroring techniques to teach your child a very effective and awesome swim lesson.
After your lesson, the instructor will ensure your child returns to you right away, and does not lounge unnecessarily in the pool. An on-site supervisor will provide new equipment for the next lesson and sanitize any equipment used during your child’s class. You will be encouraged to either deck-change your child or to dry off as best as possible and exit the premises right away, through a separate exit.
How’s that for a new normal? It’s a lot to take in, and it will take some getting used to. But one thing is for certain: people are eager to get back into the pool, and they are willing to do what it takes, and be as safe as possible while doing it. These measures are only temporary until authorities determine that the situation has improved sufficiently to allow a return to a ‘more normal’ swim environment. Hopefully that day will come soon, and as long as we all keep working together and being as safe as possible, it may come sooner than we think.
