While there is still no definitive date for a restart in the aquatic community, there have been enough small splashes of information to start putting the picture together. Two weeks ago I speculated about this same topic and the situation has evolved. Confidence is indeed building in the industry as we approach an inevitable restart.
In case you haven’t followed my recent blogs, I’ve been examining the industry from different perspectives and asking questions. With lots of new news being announced recently it’s time to have a talk again about what the new swimming reality will look like. Let’s dive right in, shall we?
When will pools reopen?
There is still no definitive decision on when pools will reopen. But I am optimistic that some pools (possibly most?) will reopen at some point this summer. I would keep an eye on dates around the end of June or early July; think June 20-21 (best case), June 27-28, or July 4-5 (likely case).
Why am I optimistic pools will reopen this summer? The government does want pools open this summer, as they have said on several occasions, so people can refresh themselves. There is an ever-growing concern about drownings this summer, as pools have been closed for over 2 months and people (namely young kids) have not been practicing swimming. As it gets warmer, authorities do not want people seeking out unsupervised swimming areas if pools aren’t an option for refreshment on a hot day.
Another important point is that the different aquatic federations are currently united like never before, streamlining their efforts and working closely with heath authorities to prepare for a restart. Their progress combined with trends in the restarting economy further reinforce that a pools will open this summer.
Will all pools and open-water venues reopen?
Currently, the trend with restarting sports is starting with the least risky ones, and loosening from there. For riskier activities, they are being re-imagined and will reopen under less-risky policies. Thus, the common ‘first wave’ sports and activities include mostly non-contact, outdoor, individual sports like running, kayaking. Worth note that individual open water swimming made most lists.
With pools, you can expect with some level of certainty that if pools reopen, it will be outdoor pools. Open-water, like beaches and lakes, are likely to be included in this wave as well.
Can you catch covid19 through pool water?
There has been good research on this topic, and fortunately catching covid19 while swimming has been deemed low risk. The main risk of contracting covid19 at a swimming pool is through person to person contact, thus social distancing and other measures will be in place (see next paragraph)
What will covid-related measures look like at a pool
There will be many, and like the rest of the world, they will change the experience. When pools open, expect it initially to be only for free swim or lap swim, as these would be easiest to enforced social distancing. Only 20-25% of usual swimmers will be permitted, and you will likely have to make an appointment beforehand; the ‘how’ of this will be up to individual pools to determine.
Expect high-traffic areas like changing rooms, bathrooms, spectator areas to be closed off or tightly managed. Anticipate new policies like entering the premises through one door and exiting through another, hand washing or sanitizing checkpoints, wearing a mask when not swimming, no contact with other swimmers.
Will swimming lessons be offered this summer?
Swimming lessons will hopefully be one of the other aquatic activities to resume after pools open. The government recognizes that drownings happen too much in Quebec. Current restart trends are favoring outdoor, individual, non-contact sports. Swimming, under the right circumstances, could meet these criteria. Combined with the low risk of covid19 transmission through water, and you have a scenario where swimming lessons could be permitted.
There will be many options for parents when swim lessons resume, some safer than others. Expect at-home swim lessons to become a much sought-after service once lessons are given the green light. Having a private class in your own home removes a lot of the risk, and becomes especially attractive since they are only slightly more expensive than private lessons at a aquatic facility.
How are aquatic athletes staying motivated?
Elite athletes are staying very fit, thanks for asking. At the club level, it seems almost all disciplines are having group and individuals remote training sessions. While you simply cannot replicate the swimming movements without a pool, athletes everywhere are working on other aspects of their craft.
The elite athletes are truly remarkable. There is simply no give, no hesitation, absolutely no excuses. The habits and traits that made them successful in their sport continue to make them successful as they adapt their training methods to their temporary new situations.
While everyone will likely be rusty swimmers when they get back in the pool, they are by no means out of shape.
Should lifeguards and other seasonal-pool workers be concerned
I mean, yes there should be concern considering we’re in a pandemic and there is still uncertainty regarding your summer job.
But I would remain optimistic. If pools do reopen, they will likely retain most if not all their staff. Why is this needed if there will be less patrons? Because there will be additional tasks (like increasing cleaning measures) and the need for having extra staff on hand in the event another staff member falls ill or is quarantined.
Aquatic employees will need to be prepared for their new reality. There will likely be thorough retraining, with specific focus on sanitization and how to give person-to-person first aid in a post-covid world.
How is the private sector holding up?
It’s been tough. Pools are unilaterally closed across the country. Private clubs, from pool owners to pool renters, have been high and dry for over 2 months. In Quebec only 15% swimming pools and clubs are privately run. While municipal and public sectors, who make up the majority (68%) of the industry, remain funded by taxpayer dollars, private clubs are being stretched to the brink financially. But most seem to have rode it out well enough, and with a possible return on the horizon, the revenues will start to flow again soon. This opens the conversation into how long the aquatic industry will take recover, but that is a whole other article.
In summary, optimism reigns for the moment across the swim industry. Summer is almost here, and recent announcements and trends seem to favor a swimming pool restart within the next 6-8 weeks. All key stakeholders have adapted but are clearly all eager to return to a new normal. I think we can remain hopeful that we will be splashing around at our favorite watering hole at some point this summer.
