Wahoo Aquatic Centre opens with strict protocols in place
SUNNINGHILL – Local swim centre opens again safely with national swimmers returning to training first.
Wahoo Aquatic Centre had obtained a permit to operate fully in July but opted to make a phased return to the pool, which has seen success.
The Sunninghill swimming centre allowed junior and senior national swimmers to return to training first, and two months later they are finding themselves back back on track in their training routines.
“For some of these swimmers this is a big part of their lives and an important time for most of them,” said Wahoo’s managing director Mike van Hille. “We have some swimmers that are due back in the States who are on scholarships and others who are part of South African teams. Taking four months off is unprecedented.”
He said it was still important for the centre to open safely and it had to make serious operational changes. “We have been exceptionally strict and taken guidance from Swimming SA and the provincial compliance team which has been a fantastic support through this process. We then moved onto opening up the programme for our level one and two swimmers who were desperate to get back.
“The psychological benefits of regular exercise for this age group are palpable. Parents with adolescent children will be only too familiar with the release of energy that is required at this age.”
With summer approaching, Wahoo has opened up its stroke development and learn to swim sections. This is important as thousands of swimmers would have learnt to become water-safe during the lockdown and Wahoo and the industry must now catch up on this.
The business has struggled financially during this time, but everything has been done to keep staff motivated and the company applied for Oppenheimer loans and TERS aid.
“I have realised that one good thing to come out of this time has been the sense of community. We conducted a number of exercise initiatives over hard lockdown which the families embraced. Our coffee shop, for example, has been hugely affected and we have had to get creative with one of the initiatives being a cook-off between the head chef and myself.
All proceeds [are] going to the coffee shop staff. ”
Van Hille added that Wahoo supported Swimming South Africa’s motto, ‘every South African a swimmer’, and encouraged parents to help get their children back into the pool.
Details: Wahoo Aquatic Centre service@wahoo.co.za; 011 807 5118.
