COMSA Open Water News - May 2016

COMSA Open Water Notice

To All COMSA Swimmers:

To comply with park, insurance, and safety requirements, changes have been made and new policies and procedures have been put in place for open water swimming at the Chatfield Gravel Pond. Below are details of the changes that must be followed to continue using the permit for COMSA/USMS membership to swim at the pond.
  • It is important to stress that the swimmer is still responsible to determine their capabilities of swimming in open water. These new guidelines are designed for helping keep swimmers safe.
  • COMSA will follow the National Lifesaving Association guidelines. If there is lightning seen and thunder heard within 50 seconds (5 miles) then the session is halted. The course will be reopened after 30 minutes of no lightning, and when the thunder is greater than 50 seconds following lightning. Monitors will have air horns. Two blasts will indicate that the session has been halted. Swimmers must exit the water at the closest and safest exit point and seek shelter until it clears.
  • Parking will be allowed in the Kingfisher parking lot and the picnic area parking lot only. No parking at the small parking lot near the starting area.
  • There will be two marked courses: a straight course and a triangular course. The straight course will be swum clockwise and the triangular course counterclockwise. (see map attachment ) Everyone must follow one of the courses; straying off course is not permitted.
  • Brightly colored caps must be worn.
     
  • This year six volunteer monitors will be required. If we do not get the volunteers to man this, we will need to start cancelling sessions. If enough sessions are being cancelled, then we will have to cancel the season. Our records show that 900 individuals use the pond under COMSA. If everyone volunteers, we will have more than enough to keep all sessions open.
    • We are required to have six volunteers per session- one check in/one check out, and four monitors.
    • Monitors will need to be placed in the following spots for the full session of 2 ½ hours.
    • One at the north end by the check in area, but they cannot be the check in/check out persons.
    • One at the island by the sand bar.
    • One at the side parking lot where the paddle boarders start from at the far end of the lake. This will be at the large tree near the end of the course on the east side of the pond.
    • All positions are indicated on the attached map.
    • Monitors will have access to air horns that will be kept in the locked box in the starting area.
    • Monitors are responsible for watching the swimmers to make sure no one is in trouble.
    • Monitors are responsible for monitoring weather. If any lightning is seen with thunder less than 50 seconds, then the air horns are used. Blowing 2 blasts to indicate the session is halted. It will reopen 30 minutes after the last lightning and thunder under 50 seconds.
    • If a monitor would like to swim at some point during the session, it is that person's responsibility to have someone cover for them. The position is not to be left empty at any time.
    • If a monitor is to split a session with someone. The monitor is to be there at the beginning and the other person can take over after starting the session.
  •  Check in/Check out:
    • It is the swimmers responsibility to check in and check out.
    • We will be requiring each swimmer to read the new rules and regulations before their first swim.
    • With their acceptance, the volunteer will add a check to that person's name in the check in app indicating they have read and understood the policy and procedures.
       
  • In case of emergency:
    • Each swimmer is swimming at their own risk.
    • If a swimmer is in trouble, try to get the attention of the closest monitor.
    • Swim to the nearest shore which will usually be to the side.
    • The monitor can try to help in any way they can, but THEY ARE NOT LIFEGUARDS. They will have phones and can call 911 if needed.
  • If we do have a problem with getting volunteers, or volunteers not showing up, the following will occur:
    • If we do not have all the volunteers identified 48 hours out, the session will be   cancelled.
    • If that happens an e-mail blast will be sent out to the membership informing them of the cancellation. We will not rescind if we get volunteers after that blast.
    • If we do not have the volunteers that signed up at the start time, the session will be cancelled. At that late timing, there will be no e-mail notification. If there is no one doing the check in/check out, then that means the session has cancelled.
    • To help we will have a sign posted at the check in area that will have a sliding panel with open/closed. If it indicates it is closed, the session is cancelled.
    • Anyone swimming when the session is cancelled is risking a fine from the state.
  • Volunteering:
    • We use Sign Up Genius for volunteer signup
    • We need six volunteers per session
    • We will be swimming Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from Memorial Day Weekend until the end of September

Thank you in advance for everyone's hard work in volunteering. Please help get the word out for the need of volunteers to keep this great opportunity to have open water swimming in our back yard in Denver. If there are any questions, please feel free to contact Chris Nolte at 720-308-8176 or Susan Nolte at 303-596-3359.  

 

The sign up genius will be sent out shortly.
 

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