Coronavirus COVID-19 Updates

31st May 2020

Sailing Club Remains Closed.

Message to Members from the Commodore

Unfortunately, the changes made to the to the Coronavirus Regulations in Wales on Friday did not change the position in relation to outdoor activity.
Therefore, currently the Sailing Club remains closed. I know many of you will be disappointed, as I am.
On Tuesday we had a virtual committee meeting to develop our risk assessments and procedures for when we are are able to open.
On Friday several committee members were at the lake cleaning facilities and making sure if the guidance changed, we were able to open.
The club committee reviews the information from the Welsh Assembly Government and RYA Wales as soon as it is published and agree the way forward.  
Regrettably, the good news we had hoped for did not materialise.
The next review by the Welsh Government is on the 18th June and following this we will consider the position at the club again.

Kind Regards

Tim Bowden
Commodore Shotwick Lake Sailing

11th May 2020

A message from the Commodor:

I appreciate that some of the government’s guidelines may change over the coming weeks and as a member as well as the Commodore, I am as keen as you to use the lake facilities as soon as possible. Since the sailing club is in Wales we are following the Welsh Assembly Government requirements and the advice of the RYA. The facilities will open as soon as it is considered safe to do so, within the boundaries of the guidance.

Since the lockdown, we have held two virtual committee meetings with the focus of maintaining contact with members; securing our financial position; carrying out safety related maintenance, so that the club can be opened promptly when restrictions are lifted, as well as considering the strategy for re-opening the club. At the present time restrictions are still in place although this is likely to change in the coming days / weeks.

The approach to opening the club is likely to be:
Stage 1: Members utilising the club on an ad-hoc basis.
Stage 2: Recommencement of organised dinghy racing with appropriate race officer and safety boat support. Re-instatement of the Friday ‘Club’ night.
Stage 3 Recommencement of dinghy racing ‘Open’ meetings
Stage 4: Recommencement of RYA Training.

We will contact all members to make them aware when the club is opening. I hope that we don’t have to wait much longer.

Best wishes and stay safe.

Tim Bowden
Commodore Shotwick Lake Sailing

RYA Cymru Wales Position Statement on Covid-19:
www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/news/Pages/ryacymruwalespositionstatementoncovid-190511-9870.aspx
 

28th March 2020

A message from the Commodor:

Dear Member,

The Government Restrictions on non-essential travel have meant that the cleaning and maintenance of the sailing club facilities has had to be suspended. In this situation, with no access to hand washing, first aid etc, we have no alternative but to close the sailing club facility.

I would like to thank those members who have already renewed their membership and hope that you see this as an investment in your club though a difficult time for all of us. There are several members who have yet to re-join. Whilst I can understand you may be reluctant to pay for a facility you cant use, there are overheads that still have to be paid and I would hope the majority of you will pay this years membership fees as soon as possible so that the future of the club can be maintained. If there are any members whose circumstances make this difficult, please contact the membership secretary.

We are currently investigating a ‘virtual racing’ so you still may have the option of competing against your fellow sailors. We will also keep in touch with our Newsletters.

Let’s hope this storm goes through quickly and we can all resume our normal daily and leisure activities soon.

Kind Regards

Tim Bowden
Commodore Shotwick Lake Sailing

18th March 2020

A message from the Commodor:

Dear Member,

We have been reviewing the Government advice related to the Covid-19 virus and particularly to the requirement to avoid unnecessary social interaction, we have decided to suspend until further notice, the current racing programme, RYA Training, evening social events, dutyman system, work parties and other club organised activity.

The club will be open for members who wish to use the facilities for individual sailing (following the buddy requirement as detailed in the byelaws). However, members are reminded of the government advice regarding social distancing (avoiding being closer than two metres from another person), the need to wash your hands on arrival and departure from the club, to not visit the club if feeling unwell and catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue. For more details see:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance

I have been contacted by some members who wish to continue sailing on a Sunday morning, this is not an organised club activity and safety cover and any other support would need to be organised by the group of members who decide to attend.

I am sorry we have had to take these steps and I hope that we can return to normal sailing activity soon.

I will keep you up to date if the situation changes.

Kind Regards

Tim Bowden
Commodore Shotwick Lake Sailing

Paul.Newman