Recommendations for the 2021 Swim Season

CDC Guidelines “The CDC is not aware of any scientific reports of the virus that causes COVID-19 spreading to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, water playgrounds, or other treated aquatic venues”. The CDC recommends the following for attending sporting events such as swimming:

Wearing PPE (face masks) • Social distancing (keep 6ft apart) • Enhanced hygiene / sanitation NWAL recommendations are directly based upon the above proactive measures which are in turn customized to apply to the summer league swimming environment, as well as deemed sufficiently practical to be adopted by NWAL teams.

Self-Screen Prior to coming to the pool for any NWAL activity, everyone (swimmers, parents, guardians, volunteers….anyone) should self-screen by answering the following questions. If you answered YES to ANY question below, you should not come to the pool. • Do I feel sick in any way, dizzy, have a cough, have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing? • Do I have a fever, sore throat, chills, headache, loss of tase or smell or diarrhea? • Have I been in close contact with anyone known to have tested positive for COVID-19?

Swim Practice➢PPE • Masks to be worn by all coaches and volunteers during practices when not social distancing. This will primarily be when swimmers are coming in and out of practice. Coaches giving direction from the poolside 6 feet or more from the swimmers will not be masked. • Masks to be worn by all swimmers when not in the water or conducting dryland exercises ➢Practice Group Size Determination • Current swimming best practice of 4 swimmers per lane • For a 25 yd, 6 lane pool, that would be a practice group size of no more than 24

Swim Practice➢Parents / Guardians • To aid with social distancing, it is recommended that the number of individuals in the area directly around the pool be minimized. Parents should be therefore outside of this area as much as is possible. • Temperatures will be taken as swimmers enter the pool area • Swimmers will be given 10 minutes to “cool down” if they are elevated due to heat or play upon arrival • Only the playground gate will be used for practical arrival. Only the clubhouse gate will be used for practice exit.

Dual Meets➢The Age Group Split-Alternate Weekends modifications were made to and voted upon by the full NWAL board for the NWAL 2021 swim season. 10&unders and 11&ups will be split every other weekend. See schedule. Social Distancing Recommendations • Reduced Volunteers • Recommend 2 timers pers lane and no scribes. The heat turnover rate is slow and 2 timers can easily keep up. Times will be the average of the 2 watch times • Recommend minimizing number of officials on deck at once. Consider only 4 stroke and turn officials operating from the quadrant positions and no stroke officials. Consider several rotations for officials if you have a large number to utilize. • Recommend reducing computer and other volunteers in any indoor area (such as the club house) reduced to the absolute minimum. • Recommend each family be responsible for their own tent or setup. 11&up will not have a traditional ready bench. Swimmers will be asked to locate their event and heat number and “check in” but not necessarily line up.

Spectators and Entrance/Exit • There will be no bleachers for swim meets this year.• Spectators will be asked to enter through the playground gate and exit through the clubhouse gate and encouraged to gather for their swimmers’ races only.

PPE Recommendations • Face Masks • Please wear a mask at your discretion when not social distancing. The board will not force anyone to wear a mask. • Swimmers wearing a mask will hand their mask to a parent prior to swimming and parent will walk it to the other side.

Enhanced Hygiene Recommendations • Each team should provide sanitizing liquid & sanitizing wipes at locations around the pool deck for use by swimmers and / or volunteers • A volunteer should be posted to provide periodic (perhaps hourly) restroom sanitation visits throughout the meet with special attention to cleaning frequently touched surfaces such a door handles, commode flush handle, taps etc. • Frequent handwashing should be encouraged for all participants and it important a sufficient supply of soap and / or sanitizing liquid be available within restrooms. • Encourage everybody to bring their own supply of hand sanitizer, especially volunteers.

Concessions • Recommendations • Provide pre-packaged food only • No shared items – condiments, sauces, serving silverware etc. • No community ice chests for drinks storage. Bring own water / soft drinks • Manage serving lines to avoid being too close 

NWAL COVID-19 Disclaimer

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and individuals with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. The Northwest Aquatics League (NWAL) and the Deerfield Dolphins cannot prevent you (or your child(ren)) from becoming exposed to, contracting, or spreading COVID-19 while participating in NWAL sanctioned events. It is not possible to prevent against the presence of the disease. Therefore, if you choose to participate in an NWAL sanctioned event, you may be exposing yourself to and/or increasing your risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19. BY ATTENDING OR PARTICIPATING IN ANY NWAL SANCTIONED EVENT, YOU VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO COVID-19 AND FOREVER RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS NWAL, the Deerfield Dolphins. AND THE POOL FACILITY OWNERS AND EACH OF THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AGENTS, EMPLOYEES OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM ANY LIABILITY OR CLAIMS INCLUDING FOR PERSONAL INJURIES, DEATH, DISEASE OR PROPERTY LOSSES, OR ANY OTHER LOSS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CLAIMS OF NEGLIGENCE AND GIVE UP ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE TO SEEK DAMAGES, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, FORESEEN OR UNFORESEEN, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.