1. 🎯 Purpose and Focus
SwimBuddz is a community built around a shared passion for swimming. Our goals are to:
- Encourage consistent swimming practice and improvement.
- Build a friendly, supportive environment for swimmers of all levels.
- Organize group swims, training sessions, and fun challenges.
- Share swimming-related tips, content, and opportunities.
Please keep conversations centered on swimming or community-related topics. Light off-topic chat is fine occasionally — but swimming remains the main focus.
2. 🤝 Respect & Communication
- Be kind: No harassment, bullying, insults, or discriminatory language. Zero tolerance for hate speech.
- Be constructive: Offer feedback that helps people improve — criticize ideas, not people.
- No spam: Avoid chain messages, excessive emojis, or repeated posts.
- Respect privacy: Don’t share anyone’s personal details, videos, or photos outside the group without consent.
3. 🏅 Skill Levels and Groups
To help everyone learn and grow at their own pace, we have different skill levels.
Levels:
- Beginner: Focus on water confidence, floating, breathing, and basic stroke.
- Intermediate: Work on endurance, stroke efficiency, and body coordination.
- Advanced: Improve speed, refine techniques, and prepare for competitions.
How It Works:
- We have WhatsApp groups for each level.
- Beginner: Open to all members.
- Intermediate: You should be able to swim at least two styles with above-average technique.
- Expert: You should be able to swim four styles with above-average technique.
- Admins may confirm your ability before adding you to higher-level groups.
Mentorship and peer support are encouraged at all levels.
4. 🏊 Sessions, Meetups & RSVPs
- Punctuality: Arrive on time for warm-ups and briefings.
- RSVP Etiquette: If you mark “going,” please show up. If plans change, update promptly.
- Location & Fees: Some pools charge entry fees; each swimmer is responsible for their own unless otherwise announced.
- Cancellations: Weather, pool closures, or safety concerns may cause last-minute changes — check the Announcements channel before leaving home.
5. 🏆 Events & Challenges
End-of-Year SwimBuddz Competition (2025):
- Informal, fun, and inclusive.
- Events will be scaled for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced swimmers.
- Training guidance will be posted in level groups.
- Details (date, venue, events, sign-up, and rules) will be announced in Announcements.
We’ll also run periodic challenges (e.g., distance streaks, technique weeks) to keep motivation high.
6. 📸 Content Sharing (Videos/Photos) & Feedback
- Share to learn: Short clips for form checks are welcome.
- Consent first: Only post your own images/videos or those of others with their permission.
- Be constructive: Use specific, encouraging feedback (e.g., “Try a higher elbow catch on your pull”).
- No ridicule or body-shaming. Ever.
7. 🎒 Equipment & Gear
- Attire: Proper swimwear is required.
- Shared items: Use SwimBuddz gear (kickboards, fins, pull buoys) responsibly. Return after use and report any damage.
- Recommended basics: Goggles, swim cap (where required), water bottle, and small towel.
- Optional training aids: Fins, kickboard, pull buoy, or snorkel — ask your level lead for suggestions.
8. 🚫 Community Etiquette
To keep the group clean, fun, and focused:
- Avoid spam, chain messages, or unrelated promotions.
- Refrain from offensive jokes, adult content, or political/religious debates.
- Keep discussions within the group’s swimming focus.
- If you wish to post something commercial (e.g., swim gear for sale), please get admin approval first.
- Do not add people to any group without admin consent.
9. ⚠️ Safety Guidelines
- Swim at your own risk: Swimming carries inherent risks. Participate within your ability.
- Know your limits: If unsure about a set or depth, sit out or modify.
- Health conditions: If you have a medical condition (e.g., asthma, epilepsy), inform an admin privately and carry needed medication (e.g., inhaler, EpiPen).
- Diving: Only where permitted and safe — check depth and follow pool rules.
- Never swim alone if you’re a beginner.
Emergencies:
- Stay calm and follow lifeguards or session leads.
- Know where exits and safety equipment are located.
- Report incidents or hazards to admins immediately.
10. 💬 Promotions, Sales & External Links
- No unsolicited promotions (products, classes, or unrelated events).
- For-sale posts (e.g., used fins) require admin approval and must be honest and relevant.
- Coaches or vendors offering services must get admin clearance and clearly label any commercial posts.
11. 👶 Children & Safeguarding
- Children may only join sessions explicitly designated for them.
- They must be supervised by a parent or guardian unless the session is officially structured and supervised.
- Parents/guardians are responsible for the child’s safety and behavior.
12. ⚖️ Admins, Moderation & Enforcement
To protect the group’s safety and focus, admins may:
- Give a gentle reminder (on-topic or tone nudge).
- Use message moderation (delete or redirect) or issue a temporary mute.
- Issue a formal warning for continued issues.
- Remove members for serious or repeated violations, including harassment, off-topic spam, or sharing private media without consent.
- Act immediately in severe cases.
13. 📢 Announcements & Updates
- Announcements channel: For official updates on schedules, events, and rule changes. Keep notifications on.
- Change notifications: Major updates will be summarized and shared in the group.
Version control: The latest guidelines are always available at the shared document link.
Open the Google Doc →14. 📝 Agreement
By joining and participating in SwimBuddz, you confirm that you have read and agree to follow these community guidelines.
