are a number of child protection and welfare issues involved. When forming a new club this can be a barrier and some thought defi nitely needs to be given to the subject. Chalkwell Redcaps deal with the issue by requiring parents to sign up as non-swimming members and the children swim under the supervision – and responsibility – of their guardians. Such decisions have created a family-friendly atmosphere at club swims. While the club seeks to include everyone, the membership needs to be formalised to make the distinction between who is, and is not, covered by the club’s insurance policy. Managing swimmers and keeping them safe in a pool is relatively
straightforward. Doing so in oceans, rivers and lakes is a diff erent mat er and requires serious consideration. HOWSC and Redcaps give their registered members a club swimming hat so that they are clearly identifi able in the water. Chalkwell Redcaps also mark their swim caps with swimmers’ membership numbers. Medical details and contact information for each swimmer are kept on the shore and in an emergency can be pulled out quickly according to their registration number. With all the at ention that needs to be paid to affi liations, insurance and other administrative mat ers it could be easy to forget the original reasons for forming a club – say fun and social swimming – but Keenan argues a club needs to be well-organised for it to be safe, as if it’s not safe it won’t be able to deliver on its other objectives. In order to be well-organised, he points to the need for a strong commit ee. “You need to have a good group of people around you – you can’t do it on your own,” Keenan says. To anyone considering set ing up an open water club, he advises that “you need to have a clear sense of purpose from the beginning”. ○
City of Liverpool Swimming Club covers water polo and competitive pool swimming as well as open-water swimming, which takes place in the city's Salthouse Dock
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