Hello DCC Dolphins!

Thank you for your patience as we have been putting together a plan for summer swim team at DCC. We are receiving information from the Atlanta Swim Association (ASA), as well as reviewing the guidelines from the federal and state governments, Georgia Department of Public Health, and the CDC. While there are still a few details yet to be determined we are ready to communicate the bulk of information related to this summer. What follows is a long email with lots of info that is subject to adjustment based on changing dynamics beyond the control of DCC coaches or other pool staff. Any changes will be communicated via email as information becomes available. Please read the entire email to familiarize yourself with the modifications related to summer 2020. Here are the details of what the swim season looks like as of 6/5/20. Look for another email with specific info relating to dive team soon.

Summer 2020 DCC Swim Practice Schedule –

• 4 days per week, Tuesday – Friday.
• Season starts on Tuesday, 6/16.
• Season ends on Friday, 7/17 or Friday, 7/24. Waiting on ASA for final season calendar.
• 4 practice groups divided by times below.
  • 8:30am-8:55am
  • 9:00am-9:25am
  • 9:30am-9:55am
  • 10:00am-10:25am
• We will work to keep overall numbers low for each practice session to provide appropriate social distancing.
• Practice times for entire season will be assigned to swimmers by coaches.
• Swim team members will be notified via email of their season long practice time slot no later than Friday, 6/12.
• Swimmers will be assigned the same practice time/group for entire season.
• Effort will be made to keep families together in same practice group, but this cannot be guaranteed.
  • There will be multiple coaches at each practice to differentiate instruction.
• Swim and dive coaches will work together to try limiting conflicts between these two practices.

DCC Swim Practice Participation Requirements –

• Swimmers experiencing symptoms of any type of illness should not attend practice.
• Swimmers with a family member experiencing symptoms of any type of illness should not attend practice.
• This season all participants must be able to swim an entire length of the pool without assistance.
• All participants must be able to enter and exit the pool without assistance.
  • The above may prove challenging to some younger swimmers. The first day of practice will be used to evaluate if swimmers meet these requirements.
• All coaching instruction will be provided from the pool deck within social distancing guidelines.
  • Coaches will not assist children with any hands-on activities this season.
  • No coaches in the water or hands on instruction.
• Coaches will not have any physical contact with swimmers.
  • No hugs, high fives, fist bumps, goggle help, etc.
• If a child needs help with caps/goggles, parents need to send child to practice with them already on.
• Swimmers and coaches will engage in social distancing during practice. This includes entering and exiting the pool area.
• Social distancing markings will be visible on deck to help coaches guide swimmers in this effort.

DCC Swim Practice Procedures –

• Swimmers should arrive ready to practice with swimsuits, caps, and goggles already on.
  • Swimmers will enter pool deck at the front entrance of pool by office.
  • Swimmers should not enter pool area until instructed to do so by a coach or lifeguard.
  • Swimmers will not be allowed to congregate on deck before assigned practice time.
• No food or any drinks besides water on deck during practice.
  • All water bottles should be clearly labeled with a name to avoid cross contamination.
  • Swimmers should only bring essential items with them to practice, i.e. towel, cap/goggles, sweats/shorts to wear over swimsuit.
• Swimmers will exit pool deck at rear gate near the pavilion.
• Parents/caregivers must be on time or early for practice pick up but will not be allowed on deck.
• Coaches will clear the pool deck between each practice session.
• Once practice is over swimmers will get out of pool, grab belongings, and immediately exit pool deck.
• Swimmers will not be permitted to change or shower in DCC pool locker rooms after practice.
• Sharing of goggles, caps, towels, and other personal items is prohibited.
• No extra equipment used at practices. No kickboards, fins, noodles, buoys, dive sticks, etc.
• Only swim practice participants will be allowed on deck for their session. No parents, friends, siblings, babysitters, or anyone else not participating in practice allowed on deck.

Swim Meets –

• Possibility of virtual meets.
  • Record times of swimmers at practice then compare via computer with an opposing team.
• Specifics related to virtual meets depends on guidance from ASA. Hopefully more details coming soon.

This season will be different in practice and feel than past seasons. As with everything else during this pandemic, the impact on summer league swimming is without precedence. While our main goal is to provide a chance for the DCC community to have a meaningful children’s activity in a safe and healthy environment, the program described above may not work for everyone. We understand if summer 2020 is not a fit for your family, no hard feelings at all. We are all hopeful that next summer will allow a return to normal. Thank you again for the grace and flexibility offered during these uncertain times. We will look to continue the season with the same spirit. Further communication about specific assignments for practice times will be sent soon. Congratulations, you have made it to the end!

Kevin Kadzis
Class of 2021 Boys’ Grade Chair | Head Swim & Dive Coach
Wesleyan School
E: [email protected]
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