Swim Ulster: Chlorine in pools kills coronavirus, so why can’t we open?

Swimming’s governing body in the Province says it put forward a strict set of protocols which would ensure swimmer safety, yet they have been frustrated the Executive has put off the reopening of swimming pools until August 7.

Swim Ulster operations manager Stephen Cuddy said: “We are disappointed that we’ll be the last sport back when we feel with our protocols we could have been one of the first.”

Pools in the Republic have been open since June 29 while those in England were told they could restart operations on July 25.

Swim Ireland, which includes Swim Ulster, submitted protocols for its members and also sent guidance to pools as to how those protocols could be implemented. They included swimmers not using changing rooms or showers, limiting the number of people in lanes and the appointment of a Covid officer.

Mr Cuddy said: “Our protocols were developed along with England, Scotland, Wales and obviously the Republic. I would say our protocols would be industry leading because we’ve so much that we have to take into consideration.”

Swim Ireland said that chlorine used in swimming pools has been proven to kill the virus and pointed out that expert opinion was that the primary risk to swimming pool users comes from the time spent outside of the water rather than in it.

Mr Cuddy said: “We’re recommending that changing rooms aren’t open to begin with as that’s where the greater risk is. Swimmers would arrive the same as they would if they were going to the beach.

“It’s frustrating that you can go on an airplane but you can’t go for a socially distanced swim in chlorinated water which kills the virus.”

He added: “We’re conscious that it’s been a long time since anyone has been in the water. People haven’t been learning how to swim. There’s dangers associated with that. We believe swimming is a life skill people need to learn.”

Some of Swim Ulster’s elite swimmers have restarted training: “We have 16 swimmers back at the moment, they’ve been back in Bangor (Aurora) two weeks. They are potential Olympians, Paralympians or Commonwealth Games athletes. They were back in Dublin six weeks ago so we’re a month behind.

“Our swimmers were either having to drive to Dublin or they were training in inflatables in their back garden. That’s not performance sport – especially when the people we’re expecting them to compete against in Tokyo next year and in Birmingham in 2022, those people haven’t had to go through that.

“We have some athletes who have been out of the water 130 days, that’s a long time in swimming.”

A Department for Communities spokesperson said: “Government officials are continuing to work on plans for the safe reopening of swimming pools on or before August 7.”