Are swimming classes safe?

[FeelingJittery1]

I’ve got to sign my daughter for the upcoming term/ the usual swimming classes were where one or both parents sit and watch the children in the pool- there are 60/70 people at a given point due to various classes

Is this now deemed safe?

Obviously no social distancing or ventilation

Are they letting people watch still?

DDs are doing an intensive course this week, only one (masked) parent allowed to watch and the changing rooms are closed.

For god sake of course it's fine!!! Move on!!! You can't stay in forever!

Yes, of course! Wear a mask if it makes you feel better and obviously have yourself a vaccination.

We've been going to swimming lessons since April and we're all fine. I do have to get in the pool though given my sons age so there isn't 60 people at the side. I wouldn't be bothered if that was the case though, we're all in the changing rooms after, there's a public swim and lane swim using the same changing rooms.

We were at a holiday park last week with a pool - there was no spectating allowed so may be worth checking? I know lots of leisure centres are taking different approaches depending on their size etc

@trilbydoll no email etc advising what tenge safety measures are- I have emailed them today morning so until I receive a response I don’t know

The doorways in and out to the pool are quite narrow and you brush against each other when going in- not to mention breathing all over each other without masks

Swimming pools are very well ventilated so if your in the actual pool area you're pretty safe compared anywhere else.

Also chlorine kills covid in under 30 seconds.

You can’t say for certain about anything but mine will be going as it’s impossible to get into swim normally atm without hassle and they need their lessons it’s been over a year

It’s not a community pool, it’s a school one. Never noticed any big ventilation points-
Chlorine might kill Covid on the surface but what about the scores of parents/teachers chatting while waiting for the kids? That’s aerosol transmission isn’t it?

@Nicknacky why are you so worked up? I’m asking if swimming is safe..it’s a public forum

@FeelingJittery1 What makes you think I’m worked up at all? Quite the opposite and it’s YOU that is worked up.

What does “safe” even mean to you anyway? Absolutely nothing in life is “safe” but you genuinely need some help to get you through this.

Well, nothing is "safe". Life is a risk itself. You have to decide whether it's a risk you are happy to take. We can't decide that for you.

No-one here can guarantee that you won't catch covid (or any bug/virus) at the pool. In my view, you're no more likely to catch it there than anyone else.

For me, the risks involved in not learning to swim are far greater than the risk of catching covid.

I dont think the spectator part sounds very safe and i have never noticed pools being well ventilated. Would be very concerned in my area as cases are high

@RaininSummer yes that’s why I asked- cases are high and I cannot recall seeing any ventilation points- it’s always boiling in there

Is your DD at school? If so, then there’s far more risk there I would imagine than in the pool.
We are avoiding indoor activities for a while longer still, especially as people no longer have to isolate so could have family members at home with covid whilst they are out and about.

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss yes she is- will be in year 3 next month. I’m fully expecting to be ill with Covid at some point from September but trying to minimise risk where possible

You could always wait in the car instead of watching and just go back in wearing a mask to help them change at the end of the session. My ds swimming started back in April , no spectating allowed that's what we did. Spectating is now allowed, mask at own preference, some still continue not watch, some watch wearing a mask, some watch mask less, do what you feel most comfortable with

@Wellbythebloodyhell there is the whole palaver around taking them to the loo mid class when required. Not sure if I’m in the car that would work - I did think of this option

OP you seriously need to get off the covid board on here, it won’t be helping your anxiety at all. Why are you expecting to be seriously ill off covid? I’ve had it twice and had barley any symptoms both times.

[quote FeelingJittery1]@Wellbythebloodyhell there is the whole palaver around taking them to the loo mid class when required. Not sure if I’m in the car that would work - I did think of this option[/quote]
This was the case for my ds swimming class before restrictions were lifted, just make sure they go beforehand and they know they'll have to wait until its over to go again. I've no idea how the swimming instructors managed this when there was no one to take them as obviously I was sat in the car unable to watch.

I’ve been going to pools with my children since they reopened in (I think) June. Realistically there is only so much that can be done about masks and distancing and the benefits of swimming outweigh the risks for my family

Learning to swim reduces the risk of drowning, so yes, it is by definition a safe thing!