Weekly Announcements for Week of 6/28-7/4

Dear SBSC families,


Practice Schedule

Group 1 Tuesday and Friday 9:15-10:00 AM Twyckenham Pool

Group 1 Elite Monday 8:00:8:55 AM Twyckenham Pool

Group 2A Monday, 8:00-8:55 AM, Tuesday 8:00-9:15 AM, Wednesday and Thursday 8:00-8:55 AM Twyckenham Pool

Group 2B Monday, Wednesday Thursday 9:05-10:00 AM, and Friday 8:00-9:15 AM Twyckenham Pool

Group 3A Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 7:00-8:25 AM Arlington Pool

Group 3B Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:35-10:00 AM Arlington Pool

PRACTICE NOTES: Group 2A-no practice on Friday and Group 2B-no practice on Tuesday.  Group 2B's Friday practice will start at 8:00 AM

July and Beyond Schedule

I was informed on Friday we would not have access to the Riley pool until after August 15th.  This is part of the multi-step process of restarting high school athletics being instituted by the school corporation.  Our club, while not a high school team, is required to follow the guidelines of facility use.  I was more then a little disappointed with the decision and disagree on making us wait especially since we have shown we can practice safely.  Although, I do understand it would be hard to justify letting an outside organization such as ours use the school's pools but not any high school team. 

NPHS is available to use at the end of July, however we will be waiting until our fall season starts before resuming practices at this facility.  I realize this may not be a popular decision but it made the most sense for financial reasons and our coaches availability.

Our hope is to continue using the outdoor facilities as long as we are welcome and they are open.  Typically, at the end of the summer season we take a break for a few weeks in August. If we are able to find pool time, and since we took a 3 month break this spring, my hope is we continue practice through the end of August.  I would like to take off the first week in September and begin our fall/winter season the Tuesday after Labor Day, September 8.  Of course this will all depend on pool availability.

Fall/Winter Season

As mentioned will begin Tuesday September 8 at both NPHS and RHS. If you registered for the first time this summer you will not be required to register for the fall and winter season.  All other members will be required to do so.  Fall and winter registration will be open starting the week of August 2nd.

Billing

Accounts were charged for the June training fee on the 15th.  Moving forward monthly training fees will be billed/charged the first of each month.  This season we have not been charging families the monthly family technology fee.  We will not be bringing this fee back.  This fee was an attempt to help recoup some of the annual costs of our website and to eliminate the need for billing families the credit card finance charges.  Our Swim-A-Thon has been able to cover the costs of our website.  Starting in September the club will no longer be covering the finance charges on credit card transactions. These fees will be billed to families. 

Social Distancing Protocols

These are the protocols we have been following and will continue to for the immediate future:

• Divide groups where necessary to limit the number of swimmers in the pool at any one time
• Coming to and leaving the pool without using the locker rooms, be ready to swim when you arrive.
• Athletes must bring their own filled water bottles.  Use of drinking fountains is strongly discouraged.
• Bathroom use only in an emergency, athletes will be required to wipe down/disinfect the area after use
• Where feasible entering and exiting using different doors or gates to avoid contact with incoming/outgoing swimmers.
• No team issued equipment (exception would be snorkels for Group 2 and Group 3).
• Limit the number of athletes in each lane with appropriate spacing.  See attached sheet from USA Swimming
• Coaches will be required to wear masks while at practice.
• Coaches will wipe down areas swimmers were between and after practice groups.
• No parents or spectators on deck.  Swimmers, coaches, and lifeguards only.

We are also asking all families to take the temperature of their athlete prior to leaving for practice.  If your athlete has an elevated temperature, is feeling ill, or anyone in the home is ill they are NOT to attend practice that day.  If parents choose to wait for their swimmer at the pool we ask they remain in their vehicles or maintain/follow appropriate social distancing guidelines.

Lightning Safety

Since we are practicing outdoors for the time being I would like to share what our protocol will be for inclement weather. If it is raining only (no thunder or lightning) we will practice.  If we hear thunder or see lightning we will clear the pool immediately and the facility if possible.  We will return to practice when there has not been any sighting for 30 minutes. If it is possible, whenever thunderstorms are forecast we would like the parents to remain at the facility in their vehicles.  This will provide the safest place for our swimmers to wait out the storm while observing social distancing guidelines.

USA Swimming Guidelines-MAAPPUSA
USA Swimming issued a directive with regards to electronic communication and social media contact between coaches and athletes.  Most of what is being implemented is common sense and falls in line with our club's policies.  One new requirement we will need to adhere to is how your minor child communicates with me.  For several years I have asked swimmers in Group 2 and Group 3 to text/email me if they would be missing practice.  Moving forward, swimmers will be instructed to include a parent on all communication with me.

If you are the parent of a Group 2 or Group 3 swimmer, and have never sent me a text before, please text me so I have your contact info in my phone.  This way if I need to contact your swimmer about missing practice I can be sure to include you.  My cell phone number is 574-276-6057.
  I encourage all parents and swimmers to read the full policy.  We are required to keep this policy on our website, here is the link.

Summer Meet Schedule
Indiana swimming announced it will not be sanctioning any meets until after July 13. At this point we have nothing on our schedule until Indiana Swimming releases an update.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
--
John VanDriessche
Head Coach
South Bend Swim Club
South Bend Riley High School
(574)276-6057
www.southbendswimclub.com

#SBSCForLife

Weekly Announcement for Week of 6/21-6/27

Dear SBSC families,


Practice Schedule

Group 1 Tuesday and Thursday 9:15-10:00 AM Twyckenham Pool

Group 1 Elite Monday 8:00:8:55 AM Twyckenham Pool

Group 2A Monday, 8:00-8:55 AM, Tuesday 8:00-9:15 AM, Wednesday and Friday 8:00-8:55 AM Twyckenham Pool

Group 2B Monday, Wednesday 9:05-10:00 AM, Thursday 8:00-9:15 AM, and Friday 9:05-10:00 AM Twyckenham Pool

Group 3A Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 7:00-8:25 AM Arlington Pool

Group 3B Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:35-10:00 AM Arlington Pool

PRACTICE NOTES: Group 2A-no practice on Thursday.  Group 2B-no practice on Tuesday

Billing

Accounts were charged for the June training fee on the 15th.  Moving forward monthly training fees will be billed/charged the first of each month.  This season we have not been charging families the monthly family technology fee.  We will not be bringing this fee back.  This fee was an attempt to help recoup some of the annual costs of our website and to eliminate the need for billing families the credit card finance charges.  Our Swim-A-Thon has been able to cover the costs of our website.  Starting in September the club will no longer be covering the finance charges on credit card transactions. These fees will be billed to families. 

Social Distancing Protocols

These are the protocols we have been following and will continue to for the immediate future:

• Divide groups where necessary to limit the number of swimmers in the pool at any one time
• Coming to and leaving the pool without using the locker rooms, be ready to swim when you arrive.
• Athletes must bring their own filled water bottles.  Use of drinking fountains is strongly discouraged.
• Bathroom use only in an emergency, athletes will be required to wipe down/disinfect the area after use
• Where feasible entering and exiting using different doors or gates to avoid contact with incoming/outgoing swimmers.
• No team issued equipment (exception would be snorkels for Group 2 and Group 3).
• Limit the number of athletes in each lane with appropriate spacing.  See attached sheet from USA Swimming
• Coaches will be required to wear masks while at practice.
• Coaches will wipe down areas swimmers were between and after practice groups.
• No parents or spectators on deck.  Swimmers, coaches, and lifeguards only.

We are also asking all families to take the temperature of their athlete prior to leaving for practice.  If your athlete has an elevated temperature, is feeling ill, or anyone in the home is ill they are NOT to attend practice that day.  If parents choose to wait for their swimmer at the pool we ask they remain in their vehicles or maintain/follow appropriate social distancing guidelines.

Lightning Safety

Since we are practicing outdoors for the time being I would like to share what our protocol will be for inclement weather. If it is raining only (no thunder or lightning) we will practice.  If we hear thunder or see lightning we will clear the pool immediately and the facility if possible.  We will return to practice when there has not been any sighting for 30 minutes. If it is possible, whenever thunderstorms are forecast we would like the parents to remain at the facility in their vehicles.  This will provide the safest place for our swimmers to wait out the storm while observing social distancing guidelines.

New USA Swimming Guidelines-MAAPPUSA
Swimming issued a directive with regards to electronic communication and social media contact between coaches and athletes.  Most of what is being implemented is common sense and falls in line with our club's policies.  One new requirement we will need to adhere to is how your minor child communicates with me.  For several years I have asked swimmers in Group 2 and Group 3 to text/email me if they would be missing practice.  Moving forward, swimmers will be instructed to include a parent on all communication with me.

If you are the parent of a Group 2 or Group 3 swimmer, and have never sent me a text before, please text me so I have your contact info in my phone.  This way if I need to contact your swimmer about missing practice I can be sure to include you.  My cell phone number is 574-276-6057.
  I encourage all parents and swimmers to read the full policy.  We are required to keep this policy on our website, here is the link.

Summer Meet Schedule
Indiana swimming announced it will not be sanctioning any meets until after July 13. At this point we have nothing on our schedule until Indiana Swimming releases an update.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
--
John VanDriessche
Head Coach
South Bend Swim Club
South Bend Riley High School
(574)276-6057
www.southbendswimclub.com

#SBSCForLife

Weekly Announcements for Week of 6/14-6/20

Dear SBSC families,


Practice Schedule

Group 1 Tuesday and Thursday 9:15-10:00 AM Twyckenham Pool

Group 1 Elite Monday 8:00:8:55 AM Twyckenham Pool

Group 2A Monday, 8:00-8:55 AM, Tuesday 8:00-9:15 AM, Wednesday and Friday 8:00-8:55 AM Twyckenham Pool

Group 2B Monday, Wednesday 9:05-10:00 AM, Thursday 8:00-9:15 AM, and Friday 9:05-10:00 AM Twyckenham Pool

Group 3A Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 7:00-8:25 AM Arlington Pool

Group 3B Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:35-10:00 AM Arlington Pool

PRACTICE NOTES: Group 2A-no practice on Thursday.  Group 2B-no practice on Tuesday

Training

Our athletes should still be following the dry-land program on the Train Heroic app.  I apologize for not making this more clear.  The club purchased this program to be an addition to what we were doing in the pool and not solely serve as a replacement for swimming when we were being quarantined.  It certainly served that purpose since there were obvious limits to what we could do for the previous three months.  Now that we are back in the water the intention of this program, and all the dry-land we have ever done, is to improve on our performances in the pool.  Our dry-land coach is well aware of our pool situation and training plans and is making our program to supplement what we are doing in the water.  Since we have very limited pool/practice time we want to use every minute of it in the water. Parents, please encourage your athlete to complete this program every day at home.  Our club has invested a considerable amount with this company and if it is effective (i.e. we can measure it's validity) we will gladly do it again.  We have a 12 month commitment dating back to April 13th so we do have time but we need our athletes to participate. 

Water Bottles

Athletes need to have filled water bottles at every practice.  For logistical and safety reasons we are not supplying water for swimmers at practice.  Ideally they should be drinking anywhere from 5 to 9 ounces every 20 minutes.  Help your swimmer have the best practice they can and make sure they leave the house with their water bottle(s) filled with cold water.

Social Distancing Protocols

These are the protocols we have been following and will continue to for the immediate future:

• Divide groups where necessary to limit the number of swimmers in the pool at any one time
• Coming to and leaving the pool without using the locker rooms, be ready to swim when you arrive.
• Athletes must bring their own filled water bottles.  Use of drinking fountains is strongly discouraged.
• Bathroom use only in an emergency, athletes will be required to wipe down/disinfect the area after use
• Where feasible entering and exiting using different doors or gates to avoid contact with incoming/outgoing swimmers.
• No team issued equipment (exception would be snorkels for Group 2 and Group 3).
• Limit the number of athletes in each lane with appropriate spacing.  See attached sheet from USA Swimming
• Coaches will be required to wear masks while at practice.
• Coaches will wipe down areas swimmers were between and after practice groups.
• No parents or spectators on deck.  Swimmers, coaches, and lifeguards only.

We are also asking all families to take the temperature of their athlete prior to leaving for practice.  If your athlete has an elevated temperature, is feeling ill, or anyone in the home is ill they are NOT to attend practice that day.  If parents choose to wait for their swimmer at the pool we ask they remain in their vehicles or maintain/follow appropriate social distancing guidelines.

Lightning Safety

Since we are practicing outdoors for the time being I would like to share what our protocol will be for inclement weather. If it is raining only (no thunder or lightning) we will practice.  If we hear thunder or see lightning we will clear the pool immediately and the facility if possible.  We will return to practice when there has not been any sighting for 30 minutes. If it is possible, whenever thunderstorms are forecast we would like the parents to remain at the facility in their vehicles.  This will provide the safest place for our swimmers to wait out the storm while observing social distancing guidelines.

Billing

Typically training fees are billed the first of each month.  Being that we are living in very unique times I assumed we may have some families commit to returning and possibly change their minds last minute so June's billing was not automatic. The training fees have been added or will be added to your account and your cards charged on the 15th.  

New USA Swimming Guidelines-MAAPPUSA
Swimming issued a directive with regards to electronic communication and social media contact between coaches and athletes.  Most of what is being implemented is common sense and falls in line with our club's policies.  One new requirement we will need to adhere to is how your minor child communicates with me.  For several years I have asked swimmers in Group 2 and Group 3 to text/email me if they would be missing practice.  Moving forward, swimmers will be instructed to include a parent on all communication with me.

If you are the parent of a Group 2 or Group 3 swimmer, and have never sent me a text before, please text me so I have your contact info in my phone.  This way if I need to contact your swimmer about missing practice I can be sure to include you.  My cell phone number is 574-276-6057.
  I encourage all parents and swimmers to read the full policy.  We are required to keep this policy on our website, here is the link.

Summer Meet Schedule
Indiana swimming announced it will not be sanctioning any meets until after July 13. At this point we have nothing on our schedule until Indiana Swimming releases an update.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
--
John VanDriessche
Head Coach
South Bend Swim Club
South Bend Riley High School
(574)276-6057
www.southbendswimclub.com

#SBSCForLife