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Covid 19 update, 24/7/2020 - Racing to restart

Letter from the Commodore

Dear All

Due to the ever changing Government advice on how we can conduct social interaction and how this impacts our sailing activities and use the club facilities, the committee have taken the decision to generalise our procedures and Risk Assessment to one of “following the latest Government guidelines”. The other principal changes to take note of are item 3. Restricted use of the changing rooms, item 9. Sailing 2-handed boats is permitted and item 11. a return to one start for both fleets. Please take the time to read the following as restrictions to these changes are detailed in the procedures.

1. Racing should not be considered as a return to racing as previously enjoyed [at least for the foreseeable future] and adherence to procedures and the latest Government Guidelines will be required. The risk of contracting Covid by participation in dinghy racing is considered very low but public judgment of our activities is likely to be high.
2. The risk from contracting CV 19 is reduced by following good practice, but not eliminated and therefore everyone participates in using the water at their own risk. Consider this if you are in a vulnerable group.
3. Toilets and changing rooms are only to be used in accordance with the latest Government guidelines. Notwithstanding we encourage sailors to change into sailing kit at home, in the compound or in your vehicle and minimise numbers using the facilities at any one time. At present we envisage 6 persons in the men’s and 4 in the ladies changing rooms is a sensible maximum number.
4. Sanitary cleaner and wipes will be provided for people to wipe the facilities clean after use and a bin provided for disposal. The toilets and changing rooms will be cleaned weekly.
5. Use the new soap dispensers located around the club and wash your hands frequently.
6. Do not attend the club if you feel unwell or anyone in your family is unwell and abide by infection quarantine restrictions.
7. Provide your own PPE as required to facilitate safe passage from Locksway Road to the water and back after sailing. As a minimum this will be anti-bacterial gel and a face mask covering carried with you in a zip lock bag for use in an emergency. This applies to sailors and Patrol Boat crews.
8. All club members should use hand anti-bacterial gel before opening or handling the club gate – members to provide their own hand gel.
9. Sailing of 2-handed boats is permitted providing crews follow the latest Government advice on social contacts.
10. Assess the sailing conditions to reduce the requirement for assistance or rescue.
11. Provisionally the fast and medium handicap will start together at the time published on the race calendar. As we now realise that the pinch point is on the beach and not the compound sailors MUST only put their boats on the beach when they are ready to launch and launch well before the start time. If the OOD considers the numbers attending a race are too many to promote social distancing they will have the option to revert to two separate starts for Fast and Medium with the Medium fleet starting 10 minutes after the fast fleet start [ten minutes after the calendar start time].
12. Signing on and the course will be displayed on a white board outside. The courses are displayed on new large and easy to read boards next to the white board.
13. Always maintain social distance as specified by the latest Government guidelines when in the club compound, slip or beach. This may require waiting until a sailor has exited the compound or beach.
14. Minimise time spent in the compound or on the beach rigging boats.
15. Ensure slip and path is clear before launching and recovery and maintain social distancing.
16. Due to social distancing, the requirement for 2 crew in the Patrol Boat has been dropped to 1 as approved by the RYA. This amendment to normal procedure will require the single Patrol Boat crew to be competent and review the method of assistance and degree of help that can be given by one. In the event of windy conditions the OOD, sailors and patrol boat crew must risk assess the situation and the patrol boat crew may need to swap for someone more experienced, a 2^nd crew member used if able to comply with Government guidelines or the race amended to suit.
17. The OOD will need to actively participate in assisting the patrol boat to keep an active watch on participating boats. This suggests that the patrol boat should follow the fast boats towards the main race area while the OOD monitors the boats within the lake and approaches.
18. The patrol boat will be the first boat afloat and to be launched by 3 persons socially distancing. The patrol boat will be recovered using a knotted tow rope to allow more hands socially distancing.
19. In the event of aiding a sailor within 2m both will don their face coverings.
20. After finishing wait for space on the beach before landing and progressing to the compound.
21. Above all be considerate of others who may feel vulnerable to the perceived impact of our activities.

In addition some dates for your diary.

Weekend of 1st and 2nd August would have been our Regatta. We have decided to reinstate this prestigious event in a restricted form. If we can manage it here will be a committee boat start and 2 races on Sunday with extra prizes. On Saturday we hope to have some after sailing SUP and kayak racing plus a bring your own barbecue/food for the beach [all following current Gov guidelines of course].

There will be a club compound work party day 15th August. More details to follow.

Quiz at the clubhouse

Volunteers to help operate the Bar

In an effort to be ready for a great season and fun year at the Locks in 2020, the Committee would like to ask for volunteers to help operate the bar.

We'd love to see more people in the club, not just the racers who most weekends do pop into the bar for a catch up after sailing.

One of the things we would like to do is have people available to open the bar while the sailors are on the water, so that members start to know that the "Bar is Open".

Anyone who would like to be bar trained and join in the fun, please contact Chris Reynolds and he can help organise this for you.

Members please remember to Book in Here to reserve a club boat.