2021 Socially-Distanced Swimming: Pre-Season Planning and Actions

Welcome to 2021! After many swim teams and leagues had to cancel their 2020 season, we’ve been hearing from most leagues that they’ll do everything within their power to try to have some kind of swim season in 2021, and we’re here to help.

We’ve put together some lists of things to consider for a modified season. While our lists are quite comprehensive, there will be other things to consider for your own team and league. We hope these lists can be a good launching pad for other considerations.

While this checklist may seem daunting, don't let it overwhelm you. Use the parts that you need, ignore what you don't, and add other sections that are relevant to your situation. With a Covid Planning committee and the proper planning and attention, you'll be on your way to a safe swim season in 2021!

Besides this list of Pre-Season Planning and Actions, take a look at:

Feel free to add your thoughts and questions about meet planning in the comments section below.

Getting started

Set up Covid Planning subcommittee
Talk to local year-round teams to gain insight on their best practices
Send survey to families - are you coming back?

How many kids
What ages

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Work with municipality for facility (HOA, city, club, etc.)

Days, hours for practices
Number of meets, hours available
Signage at the pool plus communication to residents ahead of time

Timing of season—Can season be shifted later if needed?
Allow any new swimmers? If so, what are the minimum requirements to join? (Only age 7+ or 8+? Or must be able to swim one length of the pool? Pre-season lessons available?)
Create Covid waivers

Liability
Agreement to comply with safety protocols

Decide if team will use screening quizzes
Illness Policies

If a swimmer has any illness symptoms - don’t come to practice
Who parents should report to if family member is sick
Team policy in case a swimmer gets Covid or is exposed to someone who is

Would any other swimmers be sent home?
Which swimmers would be sent home?

Lane mates?
Adjacent lanes?
Carpool mates?
Entire practice group?

Which coaches would be sent home?
For how long?

Contact tracing / outreach

Procedure for informing others who may have been exposed

If parents don’t come back this summer, would they have to be considered “new parents” the next year?
Create plan for practices (see below)
Create plan for meets (see below)
Plan modified social activities

Communication

Communication to returning families

Focus on safety:

During practices - for kids
During meets - for kids, volunteers, and parents

Communication to potential/new families

Same as above, +
Any requirements for new swimmers,

Communication to sponsors
New / all parent orientation - new messaging

Kids arrive ready to swim
Equipment parents need to order (kickboards, etc.)
Process for entering and exiting the pool area (video?)
How to put on a swim cap (!) (video)

How to sign up for practice groups -

SwimTopia merchandise item + limits
Athlete roster groups

Ask year round swimmers to keep swimming with their YR club
Coaches

Communicate protocols to coaches…

What about what they do outside of work?

How many coaches are needed?

Equipment/supplies

Should team purchase anything different?

Hand sanitizer dispensers
Extra face masks
Hooks to hang masks at lanes
Ways to mark spaces to wait

Chairs, buckets, cones?
Laminated signs with lane assignments?

Ropes to mark off queueing areas before practice/meets?
Plastic dividers between lanes?
More tents for meets?

Volunteers

Other volunteers needed at practices / meets?

Pool marshal
Bathroom monitor
Extra help at ready bench

Besides this list of Pre-Season Planning and Actions, take a look at:

Feel free to add your thoughts and questions about meet planning in the comments section below.

Other resources from USA Swimming

USA Swimming offers a Coronavirus Resource Guide, which includes guidelines from CDC and WHO, resources for year-round teams, and more. Especially helpful items for summer teams:

Tracy Nelson

January 22, 2021 22:50

From Donna Witt at Maverick Summer Swim League:

Does anyone have a league policy and Covid Waiver for parents to sign that they are willing to share with the group?

Does any league have an insurance company that will insure say 2 months instead of having to insure for an entire year? If so, will they share this insurer and contact with the group?