If NSW Health have relaxed nearly all their restrictions, why can’t Duck and Dive?
Well, we like to do things “Duck and Dive style” which is generally why we are such a sought after swim school and why you chose to swim with us, right? We do most things differently (and better) than other schools and we know this because we have been told!  Think things like teacher training, lesson programming and pool maintenance right through to change room layouts and client communication……

There is one fundamental objective: the welfare of all who come to Duck and Dive be they baby, carer or teacher and we have to balance the risk for all equally. Without teachers there are no lessons and feedback from the majority of clients is that they feel safe and protected in the Duck and Dive environment we have created.

Nearly all the yukky stuff (chicken pox, hand foot & mouth, gastro etc) is perpetuated at child care and transmits largely  through contact. Consequently some Covid enhancements that minimise transmission will be here to stay:
– socially distanced “own” table for duration of lesson
– hand sanny stations
– change room disinfectant sprays
– sterilised toy buckets
– vaccination

A big one is social distancing within the building. For those that want to do away with this, please know that a large part of our swimming community still want to remain socially distanced so please respect personal space. It’s free and thankfully we have the floor space to allow for this!

Do I have to mask up?
– Not any longer but it is a recommendation.

Do I have to social distance?
– Yes, at all times please.

Can I come to lessons if bub is under the weather or has a runny nose now?
– No, No, No! We will ask you to go home! But we still offer 5 make ups per term (but you need to mark yourself absent for the system to work).

Are spectators allowed yet?
Here’s the thing, 10 people waiting to get in to class becomes 20. And these 20 are waiting for 20 to exit the pool hall which cuts even more in to your lesson time. Other factors to consider are that there is insufficient space for large numbers of spectators pool side and then there is the noise, it can be unsettling for the babies and makes it very difficult for the teacher to be heard who is often teaching all morning and all afternoon.

With spectators inevitably comes photography and we are powerless to prevent the inadvertent capture of you (with “that” mascara face) or your child being shared on social media, this despite repeated pleas on our part in the past. Pre Covid there were countless “interventions” required where a teacher had to deal with complaints in class and then ask bystanders to delete footage and then stand over them to ensure it had been done. All of which is a bit embarrassing for all and again eats significantly in to the lesson time to the annoyance of the other 9 carers in the pool.

A fundamental of our programme is that we are teaching YOU to teach YOUR baby and also empowering you to share the knowledge and techniques with your partner so that you can swim recreationally together. In doing so you can take your own photos and baby gets some extra practice in to the bargain!

So, for the time being at least and certainly whilst Covid is still virulent in the community which may result in the cancellation of lessons, changes made by NSW Health will selectively be passed on ?.