C
CrazyWildFunGym
I am writing to you as a concerned coach. I work for a gym owner, who was never a gymnast. The owner is so obsessed with cleanliness, that he has declared that no one except for gymnasts at the team level can use chalk (for bars.) This concerns me, having been a gymnast, knowing how slippery the bar can get from sweat, and whatnot, or just in general. The owner does not believe that it is dangerous for recreational class students/preschoolers, to do simple moves like pullovers, back hip circles, and underswings without chalk. I strongly disagree, and feel that any move, where the child is flipping over whatsoever, is dangerous without chalk, and they should be allowed to use it at any age, and any level. Granted, some children do not use chalk, and do not care for it. However, I myself fell on my head once doing a flyaway, because the gym I was in ran out of chalk. Therefore, I have always respected any child who wanted to use it. It gets messy, but life is messy. I believe in cleanliness, and our gym is a very nice place. The attitudes are wonderful, and we have some really good students. However, this chalk issue really scares me. I am scared for the safety of the kids, and I am scared for the potential risk of lawsuit for my owners.
How much of a law suit could my gym owner be looking at if an accident happens that was caused by a lack of using chalk? I am really concerned, and I hope you will be able to shed some light that I may share with my gym owner on this subject.
Many thanks,
Anonymous and frightened.
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