Category: safety

Kyle Shewfelt on reopening Gymnastics

The 2004 Olympic Floor champion today owns a Gymnastics club in his home town Calgary.

Kyle Shewfelt Gymnastics 

Kyle was interviewed by Jock Wilson on Sports Talk radio.

He believes his Province, Alberta, has made a mistake in deciding when to allow children back indoors into sport and fitness clubs.

Right now indoor sports are relegated to phase 3 along with nightclubs.

Phase 3 could be October.

Will Gymnastics clubs survive?

Other Canadian Provinces are opening sooner. Kyle says some athletes are considering moving so they can resume training.

Outdoor sports will resume soon in some municipalities.  Soccer, for example.  But an indoor soccer centre in Calgary has already had to shut the doors.

High Performance Centres in Spain open

The National centres in Spain closed March 11th … and stayed closed for 67 days.

Spain was hit hard by COVID-19.  Plan is to start training slowly and with an abundance of caution.

160 athletes were evaluated by questionnaires, examinations and blood tests. Only 2% were not allowed to return. Yet.

Athletes in phase 0

Ray Zapata

(via Gimnasia artistica masculina España)

USAG on safe reopening

It seems to many that USA Gymnastics was quite slow in posting their own document.

Member clubs had already reopened before they saw this document, I believe.

Here’s a SAMPLE:

Spotting

• Athlete safety is paramount, and coaches should not be restricted from spotting an athlete if necessary, to protect the athlete from injury.

• While spotting remains an important element to athlete safety, consider alternative teaching/coaching methods that align with social distancing protocols.

• Clearly communicate any alternative teaching/coaching methods so they are understood by the athletes and their parents.

• Coaches should consider the use of gloves for personal contact, with a goal of switching gloves between athletes.

Parent Viewing

• Per USA Gymnastics’ Safe Sport Policy, a parent/guardian must be provided the opportunity to observe their child’s training.

Read the entire document for yourself:

USAG Safe Reopening

Laurie Hernandez on the TODAY show

“It’s a really big step for gymnasts and USA Gymnastics just to go ahead and do the right thing and make sure people know that kind of treatment isn’t OK. It’s not OK,” Hernandez said …

Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.

 

liquid chalk for Gymnastics?

UPDATE

I got some feedback on this radical idea.  Male gymnasts tried it at one club but quickly abandoned the idea.  It didn’t work as well for H Bar.

Dr. Bill Sands sent a Safety Data Sheet on Isopropyl Alcohol (50-100%).

Risks include the fact that Isopropyl Alcohol is flammable. And some are allergic to topical alcohol. 

All in all, I don’t think I’d try liquid chalk. 

___ original post:

Steve Arkell linked to this video, a rock climber making her own liquid chalk.

Alcohol is a component, a disinfectant.

I checked with a rock climbing coach who agreed it couldn’t hurt to use chalk with alcohol on reopening after COVID-19.  On climbing walls. And in sports like Gymnastics.

He suggested we could use 100% alcohol in the formula.

When kids are in the Gym we should remind them not to touch their face, as well.

Leave a comment if you have an opinion.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

train Gymnastics outside if possible

It’s easier to physical distance outdoors as we open up from COVID-19.  Move warm-ups or physical preparation rotations outside when possible.

Heart this on Facebook.

reopening Tri Star Gymnastics, New Zealand

Kiwi Dave Phillips explains the new procedures for parents and gymnasts.

Note that New Zealand needs not be as strict as most of the rest of the world as that island worked hard towards the goal of total elimination of COVID-19.

Click PLAY or watch it on Facebook.

Dave Holcomb – New Normal when you reopen

Dave is one of the leaders I’ve followed on how to reopen safely.

Dealing with parents is his main challenge right now.

For example, parent viewing.  He’s asking parents to watch on their phones using an app called Spot TV.  It’s a partner program with their club’s Jackrabbit software.

On spotting, Dave is aware of clubs offering classes with no spotting.

His club is going to require coaches who spot to wear masks when they do.  In addition, his staff can wear masks whenever they wish.

Also, parents will fill out an additional release form confirming they allow coaches to spot their child.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (43min). There are a few sections of frozen video, including the last few minutes – the usual technical glitches.

related – Buckeye’s reopening after COVID-19

Mancino Gym cleaning tips

Posted Nov. 2018.

Still, useful information as we finalize our new normal COVID-19 procedures.

How to clean and sanitize your gym mats

Click for larger version