Renegade Aquatics

We are back! Add your mask and sanitizer to your equipment bag, and we will see you at Baker pool later today. Remember: social distancing and enter from the side gate.

Day 1 in the books, post lockdown. Wonderful to see all of swimmers together again, happy swimming with their friends! So proud that everyone mastered social distancing so quickly. Awesome job RAQ!

We are back! Add your mask and sanitizer to your equipment bag, and we will see you at Baker pool later today. Remember: social distancing and enter from the side gate.

Positive thoughts ... we are getting closer to resuming practice ... getting pool ready, even with social distancing. #RAQswim

Team Update re: Corona Virus... I've taken some time to evaluate where things stand with regard to practicing during the outbreak. We had a very good turnout yesterday, because I know people want/need an outlet for the children. But that was also a bad thing because it showed that I could not keep the swimmers separated enough to prevent any kind of transmission (assuming anyone was infected). Since practice last night, I was able to watch and read what the federal recommen...dations are, as well as the San Diego health requirements. While the federal guideline is groups of no more than 10 and the local requirement is no more than 50, I was most concerned about the requirement for enforcing social distancing. At this point, I am not comforable with continuing with practice. I am 100% confident that the swimmers will be safe. Even if they contracted the virus, every study shows that they should be able to fight it off. My concern is the well being of others: parents, grandparents, and those who are sick or compromised. I could not forgive myself if my decision brought harm to someone's loved one. I want to let this week play itself out and allow families to adjust to their circumstances. If things can stabilize a bit, perhaps we can conduct practices on a limited basis: multiple sessions maxed out at 2 or 3 per lane to minimize contact (with better education to keep a distance). First and foremost, the health and safety of our swimmers and their extended families must be the priority.

Letter to our Renegade swim families re: Corona Virus... I hope everyone is well and not going crazy yet, given the circumstances. With school closures, toilet paper scavenger hunts, working from home, and other assorted changes, the coming weeks will seem to have challenges thrown at us on an almost daily basis. For many of the chlidren (even the teenagers), there will be a lot of confusion as to why this is happening. Their normal routine has been shattered by all of the ...precautionary measures being implemented by government agencies and health care officials. As adults, we understand why the actions are taking place. In order to slow down and hopefully prevent the spread of the virus, drastic actions are needed. But I also believe the children need to have an outlet and something that feels normal to them (they can only play on their phones for so long). The city has closed down the municipal pools and the Baker branch will be sending their chidren to the other Escondido location and operating as a daycare instead of after school program. But they have graciously allowed Renegade Aquatics to continue using the pool - at least until any additional restrictions might be implemented by public health officials. (the front door will remain locked, so we will enter via the side walkway) After a significant amount of consideration, I am going to continue to conduct practices at Baker for both the swim and polo programs. My primary reason is for the mental well being of the children. Swimming in a pool with properly maintained chemicals provides them a safe environment to do something they enjoy and it gets them out of the house for a few hours each day. But we do have to be cautious about how we operate during this crisis: - If a swimmer feels ill for any reason, please have them stay at home (for their safety and their teammates). - be mindful of how close you are to others when talking - inside and outside of the pool. - limit physical contact with each other and items in locker rooms, bathrooms. - wash hands with soap and hot water when using the bathroom. - there will be no dryland until after the crisis is over, in the interest of athlete safety. - when you return home after practice, take a thorough shower. Having shared these precautions, I completely understand that there are families who prefer to be extra safe and practice self quarantines. This is especially true for those who come into contact with high risk family members - elderly, those with respiratory illnesses, and others with immune deficiencies. For those who do wish to continue practicing at Baker, we will swim between 3:00 and 6:00 and the schedule will be as follows: Novice swimmers: 3:00 to 4:00 Intermediate/Jrs: 4:00 to 5:00/5:30, or 5:00 to 6:00 Advanced/Senior: 3:45 to 6:00 (and no dryland) I hope all of this make sense. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Coach John 760-390-4173

She’s baaaccckkk !!!!

For those that enjoy Rubio’s (who doesn’t?), please consider supporting the Renegade Aquatics Swim program next Monday (7/22 between 4 and 8 pm) by eating dinner at the East Valley Parkway location. Just show this flyer when paying, and Rubio’s will make a generous donation to our Renegade Booster Group.

Renegade Aquatics is proud to again offer a summer swim program to the youth of Valley Center. Please see the attached flyer for additional details and contact info. #RAQswim

Due to flooding and mud runoff, there will be no practice at Baker pool - today (Thur) or tomorrow (Fri). If you wish to practice, we still plan on using Washington as long as there is no lightning/thunder. We hope to vacuum when/if rain stops, and resume normal schedule on Monday. Stay safe out there!

By popular request, our video from the awards ceremony - celebrating the 2018 year at #RAQswim. Many thanks to the Jayasinghe family for putting it together!

RAQ awards ceremony. Thank you to all for attending and celebrating our achievements in 2018! #RAQswim

Great job Renegade swimmers at the first North County IMX Quad Meet! Perfect way to wrap up our winter break workouts. #RAQswim