With new pool regulations due to the coronavirus pandemic come a new normal for the California Stingrays swimming team.
The Stingrays have seen some changes to how their practices work due to COVID-19 and the new rules at the California city pool, which opened midway through the month after discussions among the California City Council and the next phase of Missouri's statewide recovery plan combined to pave the way for its doors to open.
Besides being limited to 15 swimmers in the pool at one time, Stingrays head coach Jamie Johnston said the swimmers have worked to adhere to social distancing in other ways.
"We have also put into place standard social distancing and COVID considerations, such as a designated entrance and exit, limiting spectators on the pool deck during practices, swimmers all bring their own water bottle and we are limiting the use of the locker rooms. We also practice social distancing during practices," Johnston said.
A limit on participants in the pool at one time means practice groups are staggered, Johnston said. Not being able to have everyone in the team at the same practices has made for some challenges when it comes to getting ready for any events that aren't individual, she said.
"In order to only have 15 swimmers in the pool at one time, we had to assign swimmers to practices for morning practices and have a sign up for evening practices," Johnston said. "This means we don't ever have all swimmers together. That makes it challenging to practice team events such as relays."
The Stingrays started practicing June 17 and will continue through their last practice July 10. Johnston said the team will only have two meets this season, one yesterday in Jefferson City and one next week July 6 at Eldon. Despite the abbreviated season and circumstances, she said she thinks everyone is glad to be swimming.
"Everyone understands that following the new procedures allow us to be able to (swim)," Johnston said.
So far, practices have gone well, Johnston said.
"Our practices have gone well. One nice thing about fewer swimmers in the pool is that we get to give each swimmer a little more individual attention, which is nice," Johnston said.