AusLeisure

The Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA) and Swim Australia have released new best practice guidelines for operators, managers and owners restarting swim schools and learn to swim programs.

Developed to assist with reopening swimming facilities across Australia, the information results from ASCTA/Swim Australia having participated in calls, meetings, research and discussions with industry bodies and representatives that have seen the sharing recommended best practice to reopen safely.

Outlining its activities, ASCTA Chief Executive, Brendon Ward advises "we have been lobbying and communicating with Federal and State Ministers in a variety of portfolios including health, education, sport, small business and treasury. 

"We have also communicated and lobbied local representatives to make sure we are able to open at an appropriate time (and have) worked vigorously to ensure we did not get lumped into stages that would not allow pools and swim schools to reopen.

"Based on available information, we believe it is time to share the steps we recommend to safely open. 

"This best practice document and resources are shared as a guideline only (as) we recognise that individual situations will be different and swim schools do not have to open if they are not ready or do not feel comfortable to open or it is not financially viable."

Ward (pictured) goes on to state that ASCTA/Swim Australia recommends the “get in, swim/have lesson, get out” philosophy to reduce time and exposure.

He also emphasises that "according to the scientific literature, there is no increased risk of contracting COVID-19 from swimming in chlorinated pools, and pool operators adhering to previously set guidelines will control risk from waterborne COVID-191.”

Expanding on this, he notes that the US based Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to people through water in pools, but that “individuals need to continue to protect themselves and others both in and out of the water through following appropriate social distancing measures and good hand hygiene practices.

“We recognise that for all swim schools there will be stages of opening.

“Conditions that exist on day one may be different three months later. We also recognise each State and Territory will be in different stages of opening and may have different restrictions based on their situation.”

The guidance used resources from City Venue Management, Kirby Swim, Royal Life Saving Society – Australia, Swimming Australia and the United States Swim School Association and was compiled under the guidance of the ASCTA board: (Tony Shaw, Lynn Elliott, Brian Stehr, Bill Kirby, Chris Myers, David Lush, Emma Lawrence, Haydn Belshaw and Joanne Love) and the Swim Australia Advisory Committee: (Darren Lange, DLSA; Narelle Simpson, NS Swim School; Debby Tattoli, 5 Star Swim School; Nancy Shaw of Holsworthy Aquatic and Simon Watkins of Swim Am Byth.)

Click here to view the guidelines.

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