Aquatics Coalition - Community Resources
Aquatics Coalition - Community Resources
Aquatics Coalition - Community Resources
Aquatics Coalition - Community Resources

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

The Aquatics Coalition is comprised of more than 20 water safety and competitive water sports organizations spanning from learn-to-swim programs, health and rehabilitation groups to competitive aquatics organizations. This diverse group joined together with one aim: advocate for a return to purpose-driven instructional aquatics by developing tools to guide a safer return to water. The Coalition is not advocating to open pools for unrestricted recreational use but rather solely for purposeful aquatics activity under the four tenets detailed below.

Purposeful Aquatics

1 | Purposeful Aquatics

Purpose-driven, coached, aquatic activity—swim lessons, pool-based physical therapy, and competitive swimming—are essential to public safety and health. Therefore, it is vital that these activities be allowed to resume immediately with continued availability for local communities. Each of these aquatic activities can recommence in a way that minimizes the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Learn to Swim

2 | Learn to Swim

Swim lessons are a critical resource given that drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children under the age of four. Yet the closing of aquatic venues has abruptly halted learn-to-swim programs for months, denying children the opportunity to acquire this life-saving skill. People should be aware that swim lessons can be safely administered with proper protective equipment and protocols.

Safer Facilities

3 | Safer Facilities

According to the CDC, there is no evidence that COVID-19 can spread to people through chlorinated water. Aquatics facilities can allow purpose-driven swimming to take place by following strict safety protocols in and around the pool, maintaining proper water sanitation levels and air quality measures, performing frequent cleaning and sanitization, and conducting regular health checks of staff and participants.

Community Health

4 | Community Health

Exercise done in water such as physical therapy, lap swimming, competitive swimming, water aerobics, and other aquatic instruction are essential for mental and physical health. Further, regular exercise can reduce risk factors for severe COVID-19. Facilitating a safer return to water can only elevate social and fitness well-being in our communities.

TOOLS TO ENGAGE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

The following documents have been generously offered to assist others in advocacy efforts.

GMA Lack of Swim Lessons Puts Kids at Risk

GMA Lack of Swim Lessons Puts Kids at Risk

Watch

Lifeguards are Needed, and for More Reasons Than You Might Realize!

Lifeguards are Needed, and for More Reasons Than You Might Realize!

Download

USSSA announces Learning to Swim Deemed Essential in California

USSSA announces Learning to Swim Deemed Essential in California

Download

Letter from Aquatics Coalition to advocate for Safer Return to Water

Letter from Aquatics Coalition to advocate for Safer Return to Water

Download

Letter to Florida Governor regarding swim lessons

Letter to Florida Governor regarding swim lessons

Download

Missouri Valley: click and then scroll down to Letters to Public Officia...

Missouri Valley: click and then scroll down to Letters to Public Officia...

Resources

Ohio Swimming Letter to Governor

Ohio Swimming Letter to Governor

Download

Waterworks Aquatics letter to Essential Services Department

Waterworks Aquatics letter to Essential Services Department

Download

National Swim School Industry Letter

National Swim School Industry Letter

Download

NYS Swim School Industry Letter to Gov

NYS Swim School Industry Letter to Gov

Download

Swim Australia letter to Minister of Health

Swim Australia letter to Minister of Health

Download

ASCA letter Re: Coach Safety

ASCA letter Re: Coach Safety

Download

Connecticut: Letter to Governor Lamont & CT State Legislators

Connecticut: Letter to Governor Lamont & CT State Legislators

Download

Impact of Cancellations on the Health of Wisconsin Adolescent Athletes

Impact of Cancellations on the Health of Wisconsin Adolescent Athletes

Download

New Jersey: Letter to NJ Medical Director regarding Youth Competitive Sw...

New Jersey: Letter to NJ Medical Director regarding Youth Competitive Sw...

Download

Aquatics Coalition Letter from Dr. Tara Kirk Sell and Dr. Lisa Ann Black...

Aquatics Coalition Letter from Dr. Tara Kirk Sell and Dr. Lisa Ann Black...

Download

SAFTEY PROTOCOLS

The following documents have been developed by experienced aquatics organizations to outline proper safety protocols for a return to the water.

USA Swimming Facility Reopening Plan Guidelines

USA Swimming Facility Reopening Plan Guidelines

Download

Recommended COVID-19 Positive Test Protocols

Recommended COVID-19 Positive Test Protocols

Download

United States Swim School Association Action Plan for Reopening

United States Swim School Association Action Plan for Reopening

Download

Swimming Canada: Open Water Safety Considerations

Swimming Canada: Open Water Safety Considerations

Download

Saratoga Star Aquatics/Milipitas Star Aquatics Strategic Plan

Saratoga Star Aquatics/Milipitas Star Aquatics Strategic Plan

Visit

Counsilman Hunsaker: Parental Supervision at Aquatic Venues

Counsilman Hunsaker: Parental Supervision at Aquatic Venues

Visit

American Red Cross: Water Safety for Kids

American Red Cross: Water Safety for Kids

Visit

Palm Beach County: Social Distancing

Palm Beach County: Social Distancing

Read

Palm Beach County: Shower guidance

Palm Beach County: Shower guidance

Download

CPR with COVID considerations

CPR with COVID considerations

Download

California Fitness Facilities Guidance

California Fitness Facilities Guidance

Download

NFHS guidance for opening high school athletics

NFHS guidance for opening high school athletics

Download

USA Diving return to training guidelines

USA Diving return to training guidelines

Visit

The YMCA and AEA has jointly released a considerations document for Aqua...

The YMCA and AEA has jointly released a considerations document for Aqua...

Visit

Safety in Water Exercise Classes

Safety in Water Exercise Classes

Download

ASCTA Swim Australia: Best Practices for Restarting Swim Schools and Lea...

ASCTA Swim Australia: Best Practices for Restarting Swim Schools and Lea...

Visit

John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Sports Safety During COV...

John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Sports Safety During COV...

Watch

AQUATICS COALITION MEMBERS