Pandemic Swimming: June Updates
FFH updates - June 13, 2020
Greetings--
We just came from a packed Wednesday night practice with Coach Dan Taylor-- lights, new swimmers, blue sky-- a visiting duck.... it was lovely.
We are really up and running! We have a lot of new faces -- please welcome them! Some are homeless/poolless for now-- traveling from all over to join us; others are new to swimming and we have a bunch of graduating seniors from FCHS who are going to be joining us-- please gently smack them when they claim that they are "out of shape."
Business items for FFH (whether temporarily or permanently identifying with us)
More than ever we have to work with the team that is your lane.
This includes the 5 second rule (pushing off 5 seconds after the last person)-- if things aren't working, if someone is getting lapped-- communicate with your lanemates. If 5 people cannot figure out how to all get the most out of practice and cohabitate a 50 yard space--- likely there is no hope for the world.... We know you can do it. Call a lane time out-- get your s^&% together-- and have a great workout.
If you need to take an extra masters minute-- get out of the way, stay in the corner, be mindful of everyone else.
COMMUNICATE with your lanemates and if you have issues-- reach out to your coach and/or Cory and I. If your Coach AND Cory and I are your problem... I don't know what to tell you.
Sunday 6/14 will now be 1 1/4 hours-- 2 practices. The early session will be 7:15-8:30 *(coached by Libby, workout by Coach John who will be leaving to summer in Colorado after he coaches the second practice); Second session 8:30-9:45 coached by Coach John!
Practices from Monday 6/15-- through the rest summer: Regular and monthly members will get to sign up on Wednesdays via Goggle docs. Cory will email you. Friday everyone else gets a shot. If you want to drop in please email cory@jacquesandjacques.com
For those of you new to FFH as drop ins or still considering membership you must be
a USMS member. Join here for 60 $ which extends through December 2021. If you register with FFH-- I get a notification the second that you join, if you are a 2020 member elsewhere- simply send Cory and your USMS member number and team.
Paying drop in fees $10 per swim. We ask you pay using the ZELLE app. Here are some instructions to start using Zelle:
Either download the Zelle app or your mobile banking app.
Complete the registration with your mobile number and debit card number.
Email danielle.miceli@yahoo.com and she will give you her number and follow up with your drop in payment
Sign and bring a pledge (if you don't have it please email Cory and I) to your first practice
Rules of summer swimming
Sign in before swimming each and every time; we will use it for contact tracing should we have exposure to COVID 19
Don’t swim sick; don't swim if something is "running through your family"
Bring your own equipment and take it when you leave
Bathroom use only for emergencies
DO NOT pull in the doors at the locker rooms in the mornings, it sets off the alarm at the club manager’s house (VERY BAD)
Be out of the pool by the end of practice in the mornings, the next club must start their practices on time, do not try to squeeze in just one more set or then start your cool down.
Check email/social media for weather cancellations
Enjoy swimming, be nice to your lane mates, take it easy getting back into the pool!
Cancellation policies? We have so much interest and now so many opportunities to swim. We ask that if you cannot make it to a practice that is full (Google docs) that you erase yourself from the practice AND email Cory. She has wait lists. At this point, we will not fine you for not showing, but if you continue to sign up and not show up-- we might have to deal with you. I do not anticipate being able to relax the sign in policies this summer. Please honor our WORK (you know this is a TON of work and we VOLUNTEER to do it) and do this. I do not want to be a "Cluster" but if we are, we will at least be able to identify who was in each lane, who might need to consider being tested etc. It is NOT the coaches job to chase you down--- it is the SWIMMERS job to sign in. The coach then tries to figure out who is in which lane and document it- Cory and I keep these records.
COVID-19 in Allegheny County remains low. However with the protesting, the going Green and the days of summer-- we don't know what will happen. Remain vigilant. PROTECT OUR HERD. I know-- it is my favorite phrase. But I take the honor of being able to swim seriously, we need to be mindful of those in our herd who are on immunosuppressive medications, over the age of 65... As always-- Don't lick anything.
Cheers to summer-- hoping to offer happy hour after a Wednesday Night Swim one of these nights. Will send out emails.
Libby & Cory
