Anonymous wrote:As our temperatures consistently stay above average for several days, the pool water has become excessively hot, making it uncomfortable and unsafe for swimming. We have had to splash cold water on our kids to ensure safety during practice.
We are almost at the end of NVSL's regular swim season. There is one more A meet, followed by Divisionals and All-Stars. As a community, we have to ensure the safety of our children, so it is imperative that NVSL develop safety standards.
One thing is to brave unusually high temperatures; another is to expect our children to swim in such overheated pools.
What are the standards? How can we make it safe?
Step 1 is whether any pool is meeting health and safety metrics for the entire community. Only if the water is a safe temperature and quality for recreation do you even have the luxury to start interrogating swim team.
So let's assume that the pool is legitimate for recreation but that it might be on the hot side for exertion. Let's also assume that we are interested in temperature only, not contamination or chemical balance (which is a whole separate set of problems).
Yes, ice, water cannons, or water intakes can cool things down temporarily, but as others have noted, cooler weather is going to be a lot more efficient, and there is only so much that anyone can do. Outdoor sports take place under less-than-ideal conditions all the time, and athletes, coaches, staff, and spectators deal as best they can. It is important that everyone knows their individual limits, because no policy can protect someone from the needs and limitations of their own personal physiology. Some athletes may have to drop out in temperatures where others can win without damaging themselves, because no two human beings are the same.
Now, kids are minors, and parents and guardians have to make decisions that are best for their children. If a kid is going to push themselves past the point of health and safety, the parent or guardian has to be the one to draw the line and say, "No practice today - it's just too hot."
Those who are worried about their individual kids should withdraw them as needed. But it seems very hard to expect NVSL or any umbrella organization to just hold off an event until it is cool enough in the water for everyone to not be concerned. Meets involve very little actual swimming anyway! And no one has to practice if they don't want to.