On behalf of Pacific Northwest Swimming and in full support of aquatic communities throughout the State of Washington, we respectfully request the Honorable Governor Jay Inslee OPEN ALL POOLS as soon as possible and no later than Phase 2 of Safe Start Washington.  Aquatics reaches every one of us to provide abundant health and wellness benefits.  We all agree, learning to swim is an ESSENTIAL life skill.  As leaders in aquatics, we come together to recognize the challenges ahead and commit to helping to provide a SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE to our pools.

IMPACT ON YOUTH
With summer approaching, it is imperative that we prepare our youth for increased aquatic activities—and critical that we resume learn to swim programming so vital to drowning prevention. (New CPSC Report Finds Steady Rise in Fatal Child Drownings 6/3/20)

A PHASED APPROACH
We believe a phased approach with a restricted initial opening provides facility operators and program directors a protected and regulated return to programming.  Opening safely under restricted usage and expanding in correspondence with each phase, pools can open right away and move forward in a carefully measured progression.  Aquatic activities more suited to an immediate resumption would start first with appropriate safety measures in place in accordance with local and state requirements.

RESUMING FITNESS AND TRAINING
We also respectfully request that “aquatics fitness and training” be included in the recent signed proclamation (Resuming Fitness and Training – Proclamation 20-25) to allow for all water activities similarly supported and mandated by the memorandum.  This would allow for swim teams, summer clubs, lap swimmers and others involved in aquatic fitness to resume training in a controlled and safe environment with training group capacity contingent upon utilized lanes in the pool.

USA SWIMMING
We believe swimming, like walking, hiking, running and cycling, is a critical healthy activity within our communities.  Swimming does not require direct contact between teammates or coaches and social distancing can be maintained throughout practice.  We can create safe plans for using aquatic facilities to promote physical and mental health opportunities compliant with public health directives. The CDC has indicated that there is no evidence the disease spreads through treated water.

CDC GUIDANCE
Water Transmission & Coronavirus
Considerations for Public Pools

To the HONORABLE GOVERNOR INSLEE, we thank you for your continued leadership and appreciate your prudent attention to the essential activities of aquatics and the importance of opening pools.

To our wonderful SWIM FAMILIES far and wide, with your support we can provide a healthy and safe return to all aquatics in Washington—and it starts with OPENING THE POOLS.

THANK YOU on behalf of all our friends in aquatics.

For questions or more information, please contact: togetherweswim@pns.org.