We're Back COVID Management Update
Published Tue 10 Nov 2020
COVID MANAGEMENT UPDATE
We’re Back!
After a COVID enforced break of 240 days, competitive rowing returned to Victoria on Saturday at the RV Schools Regatta in Ballarat. It was a great day for all!
As the ring of steel was still in place, only country schools were able to compete, but this did not stop an enthusiastic group of school kids hitting the water; many for their first competitive race.
The Rowing COVID safe principles developed to keep everyone safe were successfully implemented with many thanks to those involved, from the competitions commission, RV team, Ballarat schools and rowing associations, competitors and the BROs/ volunteers on the day who helped smooth the waters!
Although the lack of spectators (due to COVID restrictions) did make for a different experience, our ability to live stream the event thanks to the Paul Media live team in Ballarat did allow all parents and friends the ability to watch racing safely.
Following the “get in, compete, get out” requirement, a new competition schedule was developed and successfully implemented. All crews stayed on the water between their two races before heading home and the regatta (in blustery conditions) finished on-time. Well done all.
Moving Forward
To paraphrase the Gov’t’s latest positioning statement, now is our time to Stay Safe, Stay Racing!
We’re in the extremely fortunate position that we can compete with little compromise or change whereas the majority of other water-based water sports cannot compete at all, of if permitted, do so in an extremely compromised manner.
Please ensure you have your COVIDSafe plans updated and accessible. The Gov’t released some new guidelines on Nov 8 for the roadmap to reopening and below are the impacts for our sport through the state:
OnLand – Training
- Club gyms can reopen; max 20 per gym, max 1 person per8m2. Masks to be worn when resting, COVID-19 Marshall supervising. Equipment cleaned between use
- 20 per time in boat storage area (up from 10). Still maintaining 1.5m distancing
- Changerooms can open to a max of 10 people at a time; max 1 person per 4m2.
- Masks to be worn on land, hand and equipment washing as previously advised.
- Please, only operate in front of your boat shed to access the water. Do not spread out in front of other sheds and please be courteous to all.
Regattas
- Open for all competitors as ring of steel and 25km travel bubbles removed.
- Spectators not permitted
- “Get in, compete, get out” remains as do all COVIDSafe measures previously advised.
We are planning to keep racing safely this season. To do this successfully and enjoyably plus to also minimise the chances of any COVID-19 transmissions occurring at our events, we ask for your continued collaboration, adaptability, and strong support following the outlined measures.
Keep an eye on the Regatta Calendar and please Stay Safe Stay Racing.
The RV Team
