BCSS Swim Commission - 2020/21 Cancelled
Message from Commission President - Mrs. Jenn Girard
Hello BCSS Aquatics Zone Reps,
We hope everyone had a restful summer!
With the ever changing tides due to Covid-19, we wanted to take a moment and clarify that there will not be a 2020 Aquatics Season.
This is because it would be impossible to run any inter-school swim meet, never mind a provincial championship with 1000+ athletes, under the current restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemic.
While some have suggested a time trial/virtual competition, this is not feasible for the following reasons:
Our Aquatics Commission is still waiting on guidance from BCSS as to whether schools can continue practicing if there is no BCSS Aquatics season (as long as athletes are in the same cohort), as well as if schools and/or Zones can hold virtual swim meets if they so choose. As soon as we receive clarification, we will send it along!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Although please know that most questions will likely be directed back to BCSS for additional guidance as we are following their direction for our next steps.
- Mrs. Jenn Girard
Hello BCSS Aquatics Zone Reps,
We hope everyone had a restful summer!
With the ever changing tides due to Covid-19, we wanted to take a moment and clarify that there will not be a 2020 Aquatics Season.
This is because it would be impossible to run any inter-school swim meet, never mind a provincial championship with 1000+ athletes, under the current restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemic.
While some have suggested a time trial/virtual competition, this is not feasible for the following reasons:
- Until facilities are fully open without restrictions in all regions, opportunities for practices and competitions will likely be unequal due to pool access.
- The financial impact of reduced number of swimmers per lane will impact schools negatively. It may make rental time for practices and competitions challenging and near impossible as all user groups compete for limited space and time.
- There is a financial impact to make accommodations for events that must be taken into account in budgeting for the sport and events.
- Many families and athletes may face the realities of an economic downturn. By holding a season we would disproportionately disadvantage those athletes.
Our Aquatics Commission is still waiting on guidance from BCSS as to whether schools can continue practicing if there is no BCSS Aquatics season (as long as athletes are in the same cohort), as well as if schools and/or Zones can hold virtual swim meets if they so choose. As soon as we receive clarification, we will send it along!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Although please know that most questions will likely be directed back to BCSS for additional guidance as we are following their direction for our next steps.
- Mrs. Jenn Girard