Swim England publishes guidance on return to competitive training and grade days

Swim England has published new guidance on a return to competitive training and grade days for artistic swimmers.

As the sport continues to return to full activity, the document focuses on the safe delivery of routine training and competitive activity for duets and teams, as well as a safe return for grading days.

Gradings are essential for the development and growth of artistic swimming and have been run virtually post-lockdown.

However, these can now return to face-to-face days, although it is recommended that athletes stay within their region.

With gradings returning, this will also enable the sport to go back to face-to-face competitions in the new year.

The 19-page document Returning to Competitive Training and Grade Days has been developed by the Swim England Artistic Swimming Talent Team.

Key points in guidance

It is hoped this will provide support for clubs and regions, with the guidelines set to be in place until March 1 2022.

Swim England will continue to assess the situation and will provide regular updates on any changes or adaptations to the guidance if necessary.

Key points in the guidance include:

• Face-to-face arm movements are allowed, including changing patterns.
• Face-to-face arm choreography can be performed but kept to a minimum (approx. three seconds or less).
• Tapping routine figures and movements can be done.
• Lifts can be performed as normal.
• Training arm movements can be done as normal.
• All deck work practice can continue as normal.

If you have any questions relating to the guidance, please email clubguidance@swimming.org.