We're Back!

Miami Country Day Aquatics

TEAM UPDATE

Hello All,

WE’RE BACK!  I am happy to announce that we will begin to get back to normal next week.  Starting Monday, June 29th we will start to have regular practice times available for our swimmers.  I would like to express my gratitude for your patience and support over the past three months.  It takes a village to make MCDA a special place and it’s great to have you on our team.

Please understand that this will be a slow process as we re-open and start practices again.  There are going to be all kinds of new protocols about getting on to campus as well as in and around the pool.  I know everyone will be understanding and considerate of our new “normals”, as they are in place for the well-being of everyone on campus.  Over the next few weeks we will be doing a lot of trial and error – and any and all feedback will be welcomed and necessary.  With that being said, please make sure that you are patient and courteous with all staff members as we continue to update and make our protocols as safe and as effective as possible for our entire community.

 

The MCDA Relaunch

PHASE 1 – Week 1

  • Starting Monday, the 29th, we will be offing two different practice times for 15 and over swimmers ONLY. 
    • 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
    • 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
  • Only 10 swimmers will be allowed per practice.  On a first come first serve basis.
  • Only swimmers will be allowed on campus, no parents will be allowed.
  • Parents can drop off and pick up on 107th only.
  • Swimmers will have to reserve there spot.  No swimmer will be allowed on campus if they are not pre-registered for the specific practice time.
  • All swimmers will need to fill out and submit two forms back to us by Friday morning.
  • All forms and reservations should be coordinated with Coach Zoe.

When a swimmer arrives on campus, he or she will be met by a Health Team Monitor at the security gate.  The Health Team Members will be checking temperatures, and asking a series of questions.  Please answer them directly and honestly.  The questions asked will be yes or no questions, for example: do you feel fatigue, do you have the chills, do you have a stuffy nose, etc.  Everyone’s temperature will be taken.  The threshold temperature is 99.5, and it will be taken 3 times.  If the swimmers temperature is over the 99.5 threshold three times, the swimmer will not be allowed on campus.  If the swimmer is part of a family of swimmers, then all members of that family will be denied access to campus.  If a swimmer(s) are sent home, there will be follow up email on how to return to campus. 

  • While on campus face masks must be worn at all times, except for when swimmers get into the water. 
  • We will have a specific walk way to and from the pool.
  • On the pool deck there will be a hand washing station that everyone must use.
  • All athletes will be asked to come to the pool already dressed in their suits. 
    • The locker rooms will be off limits for changing.
  • Once at the pool athletes will be asked to walk up to the balcony into 1 of 10 pre-determined areas to put down their personal belongings.
  • Once ready, swimmers will go to their pre-assigned lane with their personal training gear.
  • All spacing of 6 feet apart will be spaced out around the pool, for athletes and coaches.
  • Bathroom rooms will be propped open so athletes/coaches do not have to touch the doors.
  • One person will be allowed to use the bathroom at a time.
  • At the end of practice we will stagger the exit of swimmers to dry off and head to where their personal possessions are located.
  • Athletes will be required to change clothes and shower at home.
  • Athletes will be asked to exit from the side gate by the water fountain and head to the South Gate.
  • Athletes and families who travel will need to stay away from team practice (self-isolate) for 14 days before returning to practice.
  • We will not require athletes to attend.  To be clear there is no penalty for missing practice and that if an athlete, or any member of their family does not feel well, they should stay home. 

I want to be 100% clear and consistent about expectations and enforce policies. 

Anyone not following the policies will be asked to leave practice and be suspended from returning for 1 week.

 

PHASE 2 – Week 2

  • Starting Monday, the 6th, we will be offing three different practice times for 11 and over swimmers ONLY. (Times are subject to change)
    • 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
    • 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
    • 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
  • Only 12 swimmers will be allowed per practice

 

PHASE 3 – Week 3

  • Starting Monday, the 13th we will be offing four different practice times for 8 and over swimmers ONLY. (Times are subject to change)
    • 8:30 am – 10:00 am
    • 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
    • 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
    • 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
  • Only 12 swimmers will be allowed per practice.

 

Swimming Safely

PREPARING TO SWIM - Protect against infections:

  • Swimmers will not share equipment.  Each athletes has and will have their own personal training equipment.
  • Athletes should bring a full water bottle.  
  • Swimmers should arrive as close as possible to when activity begins.
  • Athletes should avoid touching gates, fences, benches, etc. if possible.

WHEN SWIMMING

  • Swimmers MUST follow directions for spacing and stay at least six feet apart from others.
  • No-one should make physical contact with others, such as shaking hands or giving a high five.
  • There will be NO sharing of drinks or towels.
  • All swimmers must maintain appropriate social distancing from other athletes when taking a break.

AFTER SWIMMING

  • All athletes will be required to leave the facility as soon as reasonably possible after practice.
  • Swimmers should wash their hands thoroughly or use a hand sanitizer after leaving the pool.
  • Locker Rooms will not be allowed as a changing area.
  • Swimmers should shower at home, and wear their suit to and from practice
  • No extra-curricular or social activity should take place.
  • No congregation after swimming.

 

I am very excited to see everyone again.  I want to make sure that we understand how important it is to follow the protocols.  The last thing we want is to shut down again due to the spread of the virus.  If you have been following the news you know that the number of cases in the state of Florida have spiked.  You might also know that Major League Baseball has suspended all Spring Training facilities due to the rise in number of cases.  The NBA and the NFL also have teams that needed to suspend their relaunch due to multiple cases of Covid-19.  So it is very, very important to make sure we do our very best to keep everyone safe and to not spread the virus. 

I look forward to see you on the pool deck soon!

Best,

Coach Eric

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”