IMPORTANT: Hot Tub Use, Showers, and Genesis Entry & Exit Updates

Hello Swim Families!

I am writing you today regarding safety standards and best practices that we are going to begin implementing as a team to make our training environment safer for all.

We will begin the following initiatives on Monday, January 20th as a team. This email will address three topics in particular:

1.Showering before swimming.

2.No Marlins swimmers using the hot tub.

3.All swimmers, coaches, and parents utilizing the front door only.

Let’s get to it.

First and foremost, the primary complaint I have received from our members this season has been regarding water quality. I can confidently say that the water is clean, and chemicals balanced. Genesis is doing everything they are supposed to do to keep the water and surrounding deck areas clean. They were visited by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and cleared to continue operations. Additionally, they have hired more maintenance staff dedicated to keeping the pool and its various mechanics in top shape.

As Genesis is doing their part to ensure a safe environment, we must also do the same.

All swimmers will now be required to take a shower before practice to rinse off before entering the pool.

Contaminants such as body lotion, deodorant, cologne, perfumes, hair gels, etc. make the chemicals in the pool work extra hard thereby depleting them at a faster rate. To help maintain a clean environment, we must also follow these guidelines.

Ever seen those signs at public pools that say all swimmers must shower before entering the pool? This is why.

Next, I must address the hot tub.

I have received complaints from Genesis about our swimmers swarming the hot tub and disrupting other members. Our contract states that we are not to be in the hot tub before, during, or after swim practice, and we must uphold this agreement.

For reference, Manhattan High School swimmers do NOT use the hot tub before or after practice.

Furthermore, there is scientific evidence of dangerous physiological effects for children when exposed to the extreme temperatures of hot tubs. The hot tub at Genesis is kept at 104 degrees Fahrenheit—for reference, the swim instructors at Genesis are told by their manager not to take their lessons into the hot tub before, during, or after lessons.

Per a study by Bruce D. Becker, MD, MS, and Clinical Professor at the University of Washington in August 2021 in Clinical Case Reports, published by Wiley Online Library:

“Hyperthermia in children is quite common, potentially occurring post-exercise, and environmentally […] at a [body] temperature of 34°C, the only effective means of body cooling is through the evaporation of perspiration, and within a hot water environment, there is no evaporative loss. Since there are no effective biologic means of temperature reduction, hot water immersion poses a substantial potential physiologic risk for both children and adults.”

Coach Myles and I have witnessed an adult male collapse unconscious after leaving the hot tub, which caused us to temporarily halt practice, and both provide support to the patron while also summoning EMS personnel.

We understand the relief that emerging in the warmth of the hot tub can bring after swimming for 1-2 hours; however, it acts as a physiological impairment to swimmers’ abilities to recover from workouts, is extremely inadvisable they day before a swim meet, and is in violation of our contract with Genesis.

The health and safety of our members is our first and foremost priority. To ensure that our team may continue training in the City of Manhattan and not commute to another community, we must maintain a good relationship with Genesis and comply by their rules.

Finally, all members must start using the front doors of Genesis when entering and leaving the facility.

Coaches will no longer let swimmers or parents into the facility through the back door. Genesis has even put an alarm on that door—they clearly do not want it used unless there is an emergency.

Furthermore, it is vital for Genesis to scan every member’s card as they enter the facility. This is primarily to comply with insurance policies that keep all parties safe and ensured in case an emergency should occur

For reference, Manhattan High School swimmers do NOT use the backdoor and instead always enter and exit through the front doors.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

-Coach Reid