AGUA Masters Weekly Newsletter

Our first AGUA Master’s swimmer in the water was Kevin Yao! Thanks for being number one, Kevin. We're excited to be back at practice.

A few reminders to please:

Bring a plastic bag or water-tight box to store your mask at the water's edge.
Remember that you must wear an approved face covering until you enter the water, and as soon as you exit it.
Move quickly in and out of the water.
Listen closely and be patient with each other as we communicate through face coverings and the loud, new air filtration system keeping us safe.

See you at the pool!

–Coach John

You may register for one swimming practice per day, at either Asphalt Green campus, up to two weeks in advance.

Reservations for a two-week period open on Mondays at 10am. The second week of a two-week cycle is unlocked each Monday. Reservations are made on a rolling basis.

For example, tomorrow, Monday, October 5, you will be able to register through Sunday, October 18. You can continue to make reservations for this period through October 18. On Monday, October 12, you will be able to make reservations for October 12-25.

Reserve your spot:

Upper East Side Practice

Battery Park City Practice

Review the AGUA Masters Return to Swimming protocol.

Training Tips

October's Training Focus: Crawl, Walk, Run

Fun fact: freestyle is about 4,000 years old, and has gone by many names. The first images of it being swum are on a bas relief in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. In the Western world, it was named the Australian front crawl before being known as the front crawl. Today we call it freestyle.

Why the history lesson? AGUA Masters’ October training focus is on the crawl, keeping in line with USA Swimming's catchy return to pool tagline: crawl, walk, run. To avoid injury after the extended break from the pool we will have to crawl before we run. Our first month back will focus on acclimating to new safety protocols, rebuilding aerobic conditioning, and recovering feel for the water through kicking, pulling, and freestyle drills. We will continue to have an IM training ethic with attention to all four strokes – but in October, we crawl.

Up Next

2020 USMS Fall Fitness Challenge

This one-mile swim is the perfect event to finish the year strong after a long break from the pool. Proceeds support the USMS COVID-19 Relief Program for local swim clubs.

Learn more and register.

Reminders

All persons entering Asphalt Green are required to complete a daily health screening prior to arrival. Daily health screenings will be emailed to when you reserve practice time. It can also be found online.

Please arrive on time and exit the facility promptly at the end of practice. You will be permitted five minutes before and after your reserved practice time to enter and exit the facility.

Swimmers are required to wear face coverings when traveling to and from the pool deck. Face coverings may only be removed when the swimmer is entering the water. Swimmers are responsible for bringing their own plastic bag to store their face covering in designated areas on the pool deck.

Pool deck traffic flow is redirected per City mandate.

Towel service is discontinued. Masters must bring their own towels as needed. Towels are available for purchase.

Swimmers should arrive in swim gear and avoid use of locker rooms. The steam room and sauna are unavailable. Per New York State Department of Health mandate (Article 165), a limited number of showers are available for a pre-and post-swim rinse only.

Deck changing is prohibited.

There is no shared equipment (kick boards, fins, paddles, etc.) in the pool. You are welcome to bring your own equipment. Please note that athletes are not permitted to store equipment or other personal belongings at the facility; however, if you currently rent a locker, you have access to it. New locker rentals are not available during this first phase of reopening.

Pool and water cleaning systems are fastidiously maintained, including disinfection with chlorine. A UV filtration system also disinfects our pools.

BioOx air purification system installed on the pool deck removes chlorine particles and improves air quality. The recently installed CASPR air filtration system neutralizes aerosolized viruses, including COVID-19.

FAQs

Do I have to be a member of Asphalt Green to swim with AGUA Masters?

Yes. COVID-19 has reshaped our industry. We were forced to make many difficult decisions, one of them now requiring that all AGUA Masters swimmers must be members of Asphalt Green.

How do I make a reservation?

Reservations must be made online up to a week in advance.
Reserve Upper East Side practice
Reserve Battery Park City practice

Where can I find the daily health screening?

Daily health screenings will be emailed to all members who have reserved a practice for the day. It can also be found online.

Do I have to wear a face covering?

Yes. Swimmers are required to wear face coverings when traveling to and from the pool deck. Face coverings may only be removed when the swimmer is entering the water. Swimmers are responsible for bringing their own plastic bag to store their face covering in designated areas on the pool deck.

What does the practice schedule look like?

Practice schedules vary slightly based on our new facility hours and other variables. In order to accommodate the 33% State and City capacity limitation, we have added practices where applicable. Please note that schedules are subject to change. View the schedule.

How many swimmers will be allowed to attend practice?

Current capacity restrictions allow a maximum of six swimmers per lane at practice. The total number of swimmers at practice will vary by pool configuration.

What will practice look like?

After six months away from the water, practices will focus on re-acclimating and injury prevention. We will focus on social distancing just as much as swimming fast.