Information For Competitors Sailing At Open Meeting At Shotwick Lake

After the particularly difficult time we have all had, it is great to be out sailing again. It feels especially good to be once again welcoming sailors back to Shotwick to compete in our Open Meetings. With this in mind we do however still have to respect that we are yet to be fully free of COVID 19. For us to be able to run opens and invite people into our club to sail. We do have a number of guidelines that we need to adhere to. Please read below carefully, hope to see you all very soon.

Attendance at the club is voluntary and all sailors, spectators, race officials/safety boat volunteers accept that being in closer proximity to more people increases the risk of contracting Covid 19. If in doubt do not attend.

All persons shall follow the current advice from the Welsh Government regarding social distancing.

Anyone who is unwell with the symptoms of Covid-19 shall not attend the club and prior to coming to the club shall undertake a self-assessment that they are clear of symptoms.

Anyone who has contact with a family or household member who is unwell with the symptoms of Covid-19, shall not attend the club for a minimum of 14 days.

If after visiting the club, you become ill with Covid 19 symptoms within a two-day period, please advise us immediately by email to training@shotwicksailing.org

Competitors must follow the requirements of the Club byelaws, General and Fire risk assessments and Covid 19 risk assessment.

All boats taking part in racing shall be fitted with suitable mast head buoyancy, the buoyancy shall be enough to avoid the boat becoming inverted and shall also be a minimum of 5 litres. (this can be in any form for example buoyancy bag, milk cartons, pop bottles etc etc).

If sailors wish to sail in double handed boat they shall either be from the same household / bubble or carry out their own risk assessment.

The facilities may need to close at short notice if it is suspected that a Covid 19 contact has visited the club.

Everyone shall wash their hands or use hand sanitiser before and after touching common surfaces including the entry lock and keypad– and always after coughing, sneezing and before and after arriving and leaving the club. Members should cover their mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and avoid touching their face, nose and eyes.

All competitors should bring their own hand sanitiser in case none is available at the club. If you notice any of the cleaning products / hand sanitiser missing, please advise a committee member.

Keep your distance and avoid being face to face with people outside your household.

Everyone must be conservative and considerate in their actions around the club.

Consider the current and forecast weather conditions and use the facilities within your limits. Be self-sufficient in terms of rescue, launching and recovery to avoid involving others. The use of mast head buoyancy is mandated to improve your ability to recover your boat from a capsize without outside assistance, thereby maintaining social distancing.

The club house is available as follows:

Changing areas to be open for changing only (no showers). Numbers to be limited: Male changing max 6 people, Female Changing (and WC) 2 people. Male WC max 2 occupants. The Club room will be open with limited drinks available.

Face coverings shall be worn in all areas of the building except for when food and drink is consumed seated at a table.

Access will be available to the first aid kit, defibrillator and telephone.

There will be no drinking water available at the club and members should bring their own food and drink.  Please take any rubbish home.

Do not share equipment, drinks bottles etc with others outside your household.

The Welsh Assembly Government has advised that groups of up to 50 people including safety boat helm and crew can meet in outdoor spaces as part of an organised activity provided those from different households follow social distancing guidelines.

All general requirements noted above shall apply to the racing activity, unless modified below.

A ‘Supervising Person’ shall ensure as far as practical Covid 19 guidance is followed by those attending. The ‘Supervising Person’ shall have the power to stop the activity if the guidance is not being followed.

Signing on for the race shall be done outdoors, at a social distance. Sailors and race officer / safety boat crew shall also confirm that they are not suffering from any of the Covid 19 symptoms and not quarantined before being recorded on the race sheet.

The racecourse will be displayed outside the club house.

Participants are reminded of the potential for social distancing requirements to be breached during launching and recovery, at the start line and at marks. Sailors need to allow more time for these to avoid congestion and be considerate to others taking part. Sailors need to think carefully where launching trolleys are located at the start of sailing to ensure access to the beach is not impeded and their trolley does not have to be moved by another household. When returning to the shore make sure other boats / persons are clear of the area before making your final approach.

When recovering your boat from the water’s edge to the roadway, consider coming up at an angle to make it easier. If some assistance is needed ask a person to push at the stern to maintain social distance. The person assisting and sailor should wash / sanitise their hands as soon as possible.

The safety boat will be provided with a Covid 19 safety pack in addition to its normal safety equipment for use when a person from another household is likely to come within one metre.

If a sailor is taken on board the safety boat or comes within one meter of the safety boat crew this shall be recorded on the race sheet.