Hello Gator Families – we hope the message finds you all safe and healthy!!!!

Due to Covid-19, NorthWest Aquatic League (NWAL) has made changes to the upcoming 2021 swim season. The goal is to get the kids in the water for a socially distanced swim season. As we begin planning for the season we need to share some important information with prospective swimmers and their families to gauge a realistic level of participation. Please understand that the plans are subject to change based on NWAL, state and CDC guidelines.

At the bottom of this email, we have included the link to a Google Form. Please respond to that form no later than Saturday, March 6th. This survey will allow the Gator Board to make informed decisions on the upcoming season.

Practice

• Masks covering the mouth and nose will be MANDATORY on the pool deck by everyone inside the pool gates when not in the pool.
• Plastic shields are NOT an acceptable face covering.
• ONLY swimmers and coaches will be allowed inside the pool gates for all practices.
• The number of swimmers that will be allowed per lane during practices will be limited to a maximum of 4 swimmers per lane – 24 total swimmers per practice group.

Meets

• Meets will look very different for the 2021 season.
• To reduce the total number of people at each meet, NWAL has divided meets into two age groups: 10 & under (10U) and 11-18 (11+).
• Each team will have 6 total meets, but only 3 meets per age group (3 for 10U and 3 for 11+).
• 10U meets will be 5/15, 5/29, and 6/12.
• 11+ meets will be 5/22, 6/5, and 6/19.
• All swimmers will be required to wear a mask over their nose and mouth at all times. The ONLY time a swimmer will be allowed to remove his/her mask will be at the starting block prior to the start of a race.
• There will be NO spectator tents or chairs set up next to the pool or inside the pool gates.
• The availability of concessions is TBD.
• Heat ribbons will not be distributed.
• It is very likely that spectators will NOT be allowed on deck during meets – volunteers and swimmers ONLY.
• Volunteer help is going to be more critical than ever to run meets with fewer people.

This is a fluid situation, and NWAL is continuing to work on COVID-19 guidelines for teams to follow.

Please let us know by Saturday, March 6th if you expect to sign up for the Trailwood Gators’ 2021 swim season by completing the survey at:

2021 Trailwood Gator Season Survey

Your response will help the swimmers who are interested in participating in the 2021 summer swim season.

The Gator Board wants to be 100% transparent so you can make the best decision for your family. We understand that these restrictions may be too much for some swimmers and families and that the 2021 swim season might not be right for everyone. However we also know there are some swimmers who are eager to get in the water and compete despite the changes, so we want to work together to give them a successful season.