14 May Coronavirus Update

Dear Members

I hope this email finds you safe and well.

As you will be aware the Government has started to relax some restrictions with regards to exercise, and the Canal and River Trust have opened up their waterways to water sports. All rowing clubs across the country follow the rules set out by British Rowing, our governing body.

The guidance from BR is moving quicker than we can keep up with at the moment. In the space of 24 hours we have gone from the club being closed until July, to being able to open with very strict restrictions.

The latest statement can be viewed here:
https://www.britishrowing.org/2020/05/coronavirus-covid-19-update-13-may/

I have been in very close contact with BR and with the steering group who are making the decisions regarding our sport. I have been asked to contribute a lot of information and have spent a lot of time giving input into a restart program.

Unfortunately there is so much guidance missing from their publication that it will take us a while to research and discuss best practices and to get procedures in place to ensure the club is a safe place for you to return to.

Myself and your safety officers have already been working on the restart plan for WRC but still have many questions to address. This has been planned as a phased response, including social distancing measures and heightened cleaning of all equipment. More will be communicated after the Management Committee have virtually met on Monday 18th May as we develop the plan.

The club will be a different place when it opens again, and the changes we make will be for the better.

If you have any suggestions or ideas, please feel free to communicate these to me.
Anna Singleton
Captain