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WAVE Update on COVID-19 (coronavirus)

UPDATE 6/18/2020

WAVE Aquatics will resume limited-capacity swimming activities at Juanita Aquatics Center, on the Juanita High School Campus, according to recommendations outlined in Governor Inslee’s Safe Start Washington: A Phased Approach to Recovery. Limited programming will resume at 25% capacity starting on June 18, 2020.


On June 9 Governor Inslee issued guidance for the reopening of Staffed Water Recreation Facilities. In Phase 2, authorized operations include appointment-only lap swimming, one-on-one lessons, and small group classes (groups of 5 or less) at any water recreation facility. The facility must limit capacity to 25 percent of the normal building occupancy or less.


At this time WAVE Aquatics programming is limited to the Swim Team, Water Polo Team, and Lake Washington Masters Team to comply with safety and capacity guidelines. Lap swim will be added on July 6 with online reservations opening on July 3 through the WAVE Aquatics website. Swim lessons will be added when capacity restrictions increase to 50 percent or greater during Phase 3 of reopening. More information can be found in the WAVE Aquatics Reopening Plan.




Health and Safety FAQ's

  • Swimmers will need to arrive and leave in their swim suits.

  • All swimmers must wear a mask from the time they arrive at the facility until they get ready to enter the pool. All swimmers must wear a mask as the exit the pool until they leave the facility.

  • Locker Room use will only be allowed for bathroom breaks, and staff will only allow one swimmer at a time to use the locker rooms.

  • We will lock up all equipment (kickboards, pull buoys, etc.) during this period. Equipment must be brought by the swimmer themselves.

  • Swimmers arriving LATE (after their 15-minute Check In time) will NOT be allowed to practice that day.

  • The balcony viewing area will not be available during practice.

  • Swimmers and staff will complete a Symptom Screening Form upon entering the building to report temperature and symptoms.

  • Staff must wear a mask at all times.

  • In the event of an emergency or water rescue, first responder standards of care supersede physical distance and face covering requirements.

  • The facility will be cleaned every 90 minutes throughout the day.

Currently registered swimmers should contact their program lead for more specific information. For general questions email Executive Director Steven Freygang at stevenfreygang@waveaquatics.org.




UPDATE 3/16/2020

Dear Wave Aquatics Members and Families,

WAVE has been following public health guidance in an effort to stay open and operational as long as possible. In light of the current information shared today, Monday March 16th by Gov. Jay Inslee, as of today (March 16th) all aquatics facilities are closed through the end of March in accordance with the emergency declaration by the Governor.


What does this mean for WAVE?

  • WAVE sponsored programs have been suspended at all pools. This includes swim team, swim lessons, water polo, and masters.

  • The Juanita Aquatic Center and Strattonwood pools will be closed to all activities

We will be evaluating dues and make up time for each of our programs, Program Leads will share more details in the coming days.


We will continue to publish on our website new information or updates as the situation and our responses to it evolves.


Finally, we want to thank everyone in the WAVE family for their level of support, collaboration and understanding in the wake of this situation. We are confident that when this is all behind us, the stability of the WAVE organization and our commitment to serving the community will be stronger than ever.


As usual, please feel free to reach out directly to me, any other WAVE Aquatics Board Members, or Staff with any questions or concerns.


Best regards,

Kfir Ami-ad

President, Wave Aquatics Governing Board



UPDATE 3/8/2020

Dear Wave Aquatics Members and Families,

I am writing to provide you with an update on the planning and contingency measures that WAVE Aquatics is taking given the outbreak of the Coronavirus.

WAVE Aquatics is committed to the health and safety of all of our members and staff, as well as to their families and friends. The situation in regards to the Coronavirus is rapidly evolving, and WAVE Aquatics has prepared a plan to both proactively and reactively respond to various situations with the primary goal of keeping employees and team members safe and healthy while providing on-going operations for the benefit of all those that participate in WAVE sponsored activities.

As a key operating tenet, WAVE will follow all CDC, Health Department, King County and Lake Washington School District guidelines in regards to proceeding with or cancelling events, lessons, practices and meets or closing facilities in the event that it is necessary. WAVE will also align with PNS when decisions are made on proceeding with or adjusting meets and other team events. WAVE of course reserves the right to increase pre-cautions (such as the cancellation of activities), if it deems them to be in the best interest of the health and safety of its team members and employees.


As of today, Sunday, March 8th, all Wave Aquatics programs are operating on the regular schedule. At this time the Dept. of Public Health – Seattle & King County is not currently recommending the closure of aquatics facilities. Lake Washington School District announced on Thursday March 5th the cancellation of after school events and non-LWSD building use. However, Juanita Aquatics Center is not affected by this cancellation. After school activities are on, including sports practices.


Following are some of the actions that have already been implemented:

  • The high touch points (door knobs/handles, bathroom stalls, faucets, etc.) at all facilities are now being disinfected once a day, and at least twice a day at the Juanita Aquatics Center

  • Swimming Pool chlorine levels have been increased where possible, while remaining in line with all aquatic safety guidelines

  • New signage has been posted at the various facilities to promote cleanliness and other precautionary measures

  • Additional bottles of hand sanitizer has been placed in all facilities

  • Specific guidance on precautionary measures and responses is being provided to all WAVE staff members

  • The WAVE Aquatics Board has established direct contact with public agencies and swimming governing bodies in respect to the Coronavirus preparedness

  • Contingency planning in line with Public Agency recommendations

By now most of you will have received updates from Programs Leads on the status of lessons, meets, training schedules and other activities (most of which have not changed at this time). Program Leads will remain the primary contact for all operations, and keep everyone updated on any changes to existing schedules. While WAVE has taken a number of pro-active steps to prepare for an expanded outbreak, we know that we can never be over prepared when it comes to the health and safety of the WAVE family and so will continue to assess our planning and communicate out to the community on a regular basis.


We also encourage everyone to be extra cautious with program participants, anyone sick must be held completely from the pool until they are not showing signs of illness for at least 72 hours.



3/2/2020

Dear WAVE Members

The situation regarding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to rapidly evolve in our region, and we are hearing from members seeking guidance. WAVE is well aware of those concerns and are closely following the situation. Above all else, the health and safety of our members and staff is our top priority.


WAVE is directly following all CDC, Health Departments, King County and Lake Washington School District guidelines, and will follow their direction on cancelling events, lessons, practices and meets or closing facilities in the event that it is necessary. This is an evolving situation, with more news all the time, and we will make the best decision based on protecting our members, their families and our staff’s safety and health.


During this time we encourage everyone to follow their own judgement. If you have concerns about attending lessons, practices, meets or other events, the WAVE Staff will understand and support your decision.


We also encourage everyone to be extra cautious with program participants that are already under the weather and hold them out completely from the pool until they are not showing signs of illness for at least 24 hours.


We appreciate your patience and support during this ever evolving situation and will keep you informed on what is going on with WAVE in a timely manner.


If you are seeking more information on this, please check out these links:


We will continue to publish on this page new information or updates as the situation and our response to it evolves

Best regards,

Kfir Ami-ad

President, Wave Aquatics Governing Board



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