1 week to go! Eeek!! Find out about our COVID-19 adaptations
Training starts next Saturday! I don’t know about you, but there was a time when it seemed like forever until training started and now, suddenly, the time is upon us and I can’t wait!!
Have you sorted membership & training? Have you signed the annual disclaimer? There’s no time like the present if you haven’t. If you’re not sure, or you need help working it out, let me know and we’ll get it sorted together.
This countdown communication aims to give you the information you need to work with us in this COVID-19 environment.
I’ll start with the graphic that I created when the route out of lockdown was first shared, it’s our interpretation of the key points (nothing has changed since this was created).
I have created a special page on our website that we can update as guidelines change, so that is the best place to look in order to get the latest information.
In just the same way as we did last year, we have reviewed what we do and where the risks are with what we do. Unlike swimming, the risk is on the beach. We have a large swim zone, but a small beach.
Our review identified the need to make (or continue) changes in the following areas:
Booking in advance
Signing in process
Safety briefing
PPE
Vaseline / suncream application
Handling your crocs
Feeding
On the beach
Payment for shop items
Certificate signing
A recap on the need to change
Last year, COVID-19 was all new to us and we had to get used to a new world with a host of changing restrictions and laws aimed to protect us from this seemingly invisible threat.
Lockdowns and social distancing were all a bit new then. Most of us were able to be a bit naive and believe that we’ve find out way out of lockdown and back to ‘normal’
A year later and as we emerge from our second lockdown, it’s becoming clearer that we’ll be living with this ‘new normal’ for some time yet. Perhaps the 5 litres of hand sanitiser wasn’t such a bad buy after all!
In the same way as I did last year, I have looked at the Government’s path out of lockdown and interpreted what impact it has on our training approach. To be clear, I want to be compliant with both the letter and the spirit of the law and also be considerate to the local residents and other beach users.
Our approach
Before we could work out what adaptations were required, we needed to complete a risk assessment. For once, the time we’re in the water is low risk in this context. The main risks come when we are on or near the beach in areas such as:
Activities that involve physical contact
Activities where multiple parties touch the same objects
Times when there are large numbers of people in the same location or when social distancing is challenging
Socialising
Overnight stays
Assuming that the Government’s plan remains in line with their original dates, the season can be broken into the following time periods:
1st May - 17th May
17th May - 21st June
21st June onwards
The web page explains the background to each of the changes we are making and why. Please ensure that you are familiar with what we will be doing.
Key points to be aware of
These are our early adaptations and some may be relaxed as the rules change:
All swims must be booked online and in advance
Each swimmer must have completed an online disclaimer long before the first training session
Multiple signing-in points. Sign in with your pod leader and if you are pay as you go, you can sign in with any pod leader
Wristbands instead of hand numbers. This will remain in place until social distancing rules are relaxed
Please read the online safety briefing on the website before attending training
Please ensure you apply suncream before arriving.
Bring a glove and apply your own vaseline if required.
Ensure your footwear is ok to be left in water with disinfectant in
Feeding will be from sanitised bottles or disposable cups
Please maintain social distancing at feed times
No treats at feed times
Be mindful of social distancing when on the beach
Please ensure that any groups are within the legal limits between swims and after training
Please give priority to those who struggle with the cold on the beach so that the beach crew can observe and support them
Find alternative space if necessary when not in the water
Cashless beach for shop purchases
Bring a pen to fill out your qualifying certificates / forms and we’ll use our pens to sign
We are a large group and we all have a role to play to ensure that we remain compliant with the rules and minimise our impact on others. I appreciate your support in these challenging times so that we can all enjoy training.
If you have any questions on these adaptations and what they mean to you, please get in touch.
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