This past October, a small group of Quebec private learn-to-swim (LTS) organizations successfully lobbied the provincial government to lift the restrictions prohibiting swim instruction. Thanks to a unified and fact-based approach, this group of small but resolved organizations accomplished what no other sports industry was able to.
This is their story.
Back in March, during the initial stages of the pandemic, all non-essential businesses were shut down. For the next 4 months, the private LTS industry floundered. Many offered new or modified services in compliance with stay-at-home requirements, like bathtub swim lessons, at virtual fitness classes for elite swimmers. Alas, while these measures did allow most of these clubs to stay open, teaching swimming can only be accomplished in a pool.
Fortunately, in late June some of the restrictions were lifted and most of these clubs returned to the pool, albeit at significantly reduced capacity, and under the restriction of offering only non-contact swim lessons. On the whole, revenues plummeted an average of 65%, a fraction of employees were able to return to work, and the future of the industry remained shrouded in uncertainty.
Then, as LTS clubs were finally starting to re-establish consistency with more clients coming back to the pool, another worst-case-scenario unfolded, as the provincial government again imposed severe restrictions to limit the spread of covid-19 but again shutting down the sports and recreation industry. This time, it appeared that support was on the way as the government announced $70M in funds for sports & recreation. However, frustration and anger quickly replaced relief when it was discovered that not a single dollar of this support package was to be destined for the private LTS industry.
And these clubs had a right to be frustrated. They had diligently adapted to the new protocols, and had demonstrated from June to October that they could safely run their LTS programs within a covid world. This frustration was further compounded by the fact that drownings had spiked over the past summer (up over 51%), and LTS clubs – one of the provinces main drowning-prevention industries – was unable to do anything about it.
This realization brought about one of the most historic moments in the history of the private LTS industry. For the first time, competitors and sworn rivals united behind the common goal of petitioning the provincial government to find a solution.
These clubs devised a multi-pronged strategy to accomplish its goal. They developed fact-based arguments, based on expert insights and endorsements, including from infectious disease specialists and Olympians. This was put together into an official report which was sent to various levels of government, aquatic federations, and persons of influence. Simultaneously, an aggressive media campaign was launched, leveraging media relationships developed by these clubs. Finally, an online petition was created and an all-out advertising campaign was initiated buy these clubs to leverage their client bases and their overall sphere of influence in their respective communities.
The key to the entire strategy was the fact-based arguments supporting a return-to-swim:
Drownings increased significantly this summer
Quebec drownings have increased significantly since the start of the pandemic. According to the Lifesaving Society1 of Quebec, as of mid-October there had been 88 drownings in 2020, compared with 58 in total in 2019, and 57 in 2018. This increase of 51.7% is a significant increase. Among children, there had been 12 drowning deaths of children 6 years and younger, another significant increase from prior years.
The American Academy of Pediatrics2 has produced documentation highlighting the risk of increased drownings being linked to covid, due to many factors, such as less children having access to swim lessons; less availability at supervised bodies of water, leading to more people swimming at non-supervised areas; and more work-from-home parents, leading to more distracted supervision when children are swimming.
Mental & physical health benefits of swimming
Canada’s own Red Cross strongly encourages3 swimming to maintain mental and physical health. In addition to the obvious physical benefits, swimming is fun and can save lives.
Learn-to-Swim programs CAN run safely
Following the initial reopening of pools back in June, many swimming schools reopened their doors as well. In addition to the standard covid safety protocols (health checks, distancing, capacity, masks, etc), the majority swim schools reduced their class capacity in tandem with these other measures. Specifically, low-ratio classes were proven to be especially effective (private 1:1, or semi-private 1:2).
The result was the ability to safely operate swim classes, without any recorded outbreaks at Quebec swim schools. This was further validated by epidemiologist Kate Zinszer, who supported a return-to-swim6 in an October TV interview.
The CDC4 had already stated that covid cannot transmit through the water, and the risk lies in the congregating of individuals in or around swimming pools, and the sharing of common surfaces. However, these risks could be mitigated by implementing the protocols already outlined by the provincial government.
Given that health authorities had already permitted certain personal services to remain open (hairdressers, massage therapists) in industries where direct contact is permitted, the same reasonable consideration should have been extended to swim schools.
Other provinces & real examples of running learn-to-swim programs
At the time the campaign was launched, all other provinces were running their learn-to-swim programs, in full or a modified version. The lack of documented outbreaks, combined with the keen interest of families to sign up their kids further reinforces the notion that swim programs can operate safely, and that families trust their programs to operate safely.
Recommended protocols
Can more be done to enhance the safety of learn-to-swim programs?
In Quebec, the Montreal Institute of Swimming Inc. operated from June 29 until October 8, teaching over 8000 classes in the process, within the guidelines and protocols established by the provincial health authorities. There was not a single documented case of covid infection or outbreak among their operations.
We recommended maintaining the existing guidelines5 provided.
As an additional measure, low-ratio classes can be implemented to start (1:1, 2:1), and ratios increased gradually as the situation continues to improve.
Financial, employment & other challenges faced by private aquatic programs
Please find attached letters written by the owners of some of the largest individual swim programs in Quebec, sharing their story and financial challenges. On behalf of the private aquatic sector, we are asking for the sum of $25,000 per swim program, to be used to support modifications to our businesses to be able to adapt and comply with the new protocols (ex: program structure, training staff or additional PPE) and maintain staff beyond the CEWS.
Why the private aquatic industry deserves financial support:
- Private programs contribute to the circular economy: the majority of private swim programs rent pool space from existing pools, maximizing the efficiency and use of these pools
- Swim instruction saves lives
- Private swim programs are essential breeding grounds for swimmer development
- These funds will allow programs to sustain their operations, and adapt to the ever-changing post-pandemic world
- Sports like hockey are receiving massive sums, and while hockey is a major sport is Quebec, it does not save lives
Please find in attachment letters of endorsement from the major private learn-to-swim aquatic schools in Quebec. Each have indicated the number of classes taught since the initial restart. Some relevant statistics:
- Over 10,000 private & semi-private swim classes taught with zero outbreaks or positive covid cases
- Average revenue loss of 65%
- On average, 65% of staff laid off or on temporary leave
This campaign was launched on October 22. Within 5 days, by October, the alliance of swim clubs received word that the government was lifting restrictions on private swim classes. While physical contact and group lessons were still restricted, it was an important victory and a positive step in the right direction for the LTS industry and drowning-prevention.
References
1- http://societedesauvetage.org/qui-sommes-nous/la-noyade-au-quebec/
3- https://www.redcross.ca/crc/documents/What-We-Do/Swimming-Water-Safety/rcsnews1_2014.pdf
5- http://www.araq.net/uploads/Guide-RpIA_Version-4.3.pdf
