Dear SBSC families,
Practice Schedule
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 and Group 2B-no practice on Tuesday. Group 2B's Thursday practice will start at 8:00 AM
Twyckenham Pool
The pool on Friday experienced some significant clouding. The board on Twyckenham brought in an outside expert to address the issues they were having. I have been told the pool was significantly better yesterday.
Swimmers Missing Practices
I fully understand we are in a unique time. Every sniffle, cough, or uneasy stomach your swimmer experience raises a red flag like never before. I say this knowing we are all rational adults and understand kids get sick and 99.9% of the time it is nothing to cause undue concern. Unless, of course that kid is yours and then our thoughts could go to worse case scenario. I do realize, and fully support, any sickness now should be taken very seriously. In the recent past, if a swimmer was a little under the weather I would still want them to attend practice. The current climate certainly negates any of those past thoughts or beliefs.
I also know I have the reputation (mostly deserved) that is hard to tell me any type of bad news. Bad news would include telling me about missing a practice. I would like to be clear. I will never be happy when a swimmer misses practice although I do understand there will be times for various reasons they will not be there. The expectation of swimmers, especially those old enough to own their phone, is they should be the one texting me when they miss practice.
Over the last two weeks I received text messages from 4 different parents informing me their athlete would be missing practice. I do appreciate the thoughtfulness of those parents making sure I knew. However, my belief is for swimming to fully belong to the athlete they need to take ownership of all aspects their swimming career. The simple little task of messaging me, especially when reinforced by their parents, helps teach our athletes responsibility and accountability. So parents, please fight the urge to send the message and have your swimmers text me when they will be missing a practice. Of course, remind them to include you on ALL electronic communication to me.
Meet Schedule
Indiana Swimming is holding a zoom meeting tomorrow evening to discuss their plans for the upcoming months for meets and what clubs should expect. I will share any pertinent information in next week's email.
Fall/Winter Season
As of today we still hope to start the fall and winter season the day after Labor Day, 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.
If you are a new family to our club this summer please send me a digital copy of your swimmers birth certificate. If you are able to scan it into a pdf that is the best, if not please take a pic and email that to me.
Social Distancing Protocols
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.
These are the protocols we have been and will continue to follow:
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
Lightning Safety
This is 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.
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.
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
--
John VanDriessche
Head Coach
South Bend Swim Club
South Bend Riley High School
(574)276-6057
www.southbendswimclub.com
#SBSCForLife
