Scottsdale Aquatic Club (SAC) is the latest large club team in the United States to get back up and running with workouts during the coronavirus pandemic, publishing practice schedules up until June 20 on its website and releasing a “COVID-19 Reopening Plan” document with guidelines.
SAC’s restrictions for returning to practice fall in line with the guidelines released by USA Swimming, including maintaining six feet apart at all times, arriving ready to go in your swimsuit, and there will be a 10-minute buffer between practices.
Similar to what we saw in Nation’s Capital’s operating procedures, Scottsdale will require everyone entering to practice to wear a mask.
“Swimmers, coaches, and parents are expected to wear face coverings when entering the facility,” the document says.
While there won’t be daily temperature checks like NCAP has instituted, SAC will require swimmers to complete a “Self-Check Health Screen” prior to arriving at the pool.
Another notable inclusion in the guidelines are multiple maps of the team’s training layout and the assigned areas for each athlete — both in the pool and where they can place their bags on deck.
Diagrams are included for two of the team’s four facilities, the Cactus Aquatic & Fitness Center and McDowell Mountain Ranch (MMR). Both facilities have four designated areas for groups, labelled A-D, and up to 16 athletes in each group. Each swimmer is assigned a number so they know where to keep their bag and what lane/starting point they have in the water. You can check out the facility maps here.
The club also requests swimmers don’t bring any equipment to the pool initially, telling them to leave their gear bags at home until instructed by their coach to bring them.
For more information on SACs guidelines for reopening, visit their website here.
With over 400 athletes, Scottsdale Aquatic Club is home to several rising young swimmers including Aaron Apel, Ashley Strouse and Greer Pattison, and multi-time NCAA champion Amy Bilquist is also back training there in preparation for the 2021 Olympic Trials.
