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Covid 19 update, 15/5/2020

Letter from the Commodore

Dear Member, 

Following updated guidelines from the Government, RYA, RNLI and the Harbour Board, we are please to announce that sailing from the club will be permitted from today [15th May]. However, this will be restricted sailing and it is likely to be some time before racing resumes. If you want to sail, kayak or SUP from the club you will be required to read the attached Risk Assessment and adhere to the following procedures. 

1. Sailing from the club should be considered as individual sailing and not an organised club activity. There will be no patrol boat cover.

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. The club house will be closed and only the signing on room accessible in an emergency to gain access to the first aid kit. Change into sailing kit at home or in your vehicle. The changing rooms will be closed.

4. Do not attend the club if you feel unwell or anyone in your family is unwell and abide by infection quarantine guidelines.

5. 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. Currently Government guidelines do not require use of a face cover [mask], but this may change. We will however ask sailors to carry a suitable face covering when they sail in a ziplock bag to be used in the event of requiring or rendering assistance where a 2m distancing is not possible.

6. Sail 2-handed boats only with someone  you live with.

7. Choose appropriate conditions to avoid the requirement for assistance or rescue. Sail well within your ability.

8. Use hand anti-bacterial gel before opening or handling the club gate – sailors to provide their own hand gel.

9. Always maintain a minimum 2m social distance when in the club compound, slip or beach. This may require waiting until a sailor has exited the compound or beach. Less people in the compound will always be better. Do not form groups no matter how tempting.

10. Minimise time spent in the compound or on the beach.

11.  Do not undertake boat maintenance 2 hours either side of HW to keep the compound free.

12. Ensure the slip and path is clear before launching and recovery and maintain social distancing.

13. You should make every effort to launch and recover without assistance. Take care when handling each other’s trolleys by either wearing gloves and or washing hands.

14. Above all be considerate of others who may feel vulnerable to the perceived impact of our activities.

Needless to say, the return to sailing is at a tentative stage and the above procedures will change with the ongoing situation. It is in all our best interests to follow best practice not only for our own safety and the safety of others but also the perceived impact the club has in a very public location.

 Yours sincerely, Chris Flewitt, Commodore

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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.