Issue date
Organising a regatta during Alert Level 2 can be complex but it needn't be a barrier to staging a fun, yet safe, event for participants and volunteers.
Some clubs have already put in place rigorous processes and staged events under level 2 so it's a good idea to talk to them if your club is unsure what to do to meet government guidelines.
Alternatively, you can talk to your local regional development manager for advice and Yachting New Zealand have also produced guidance for Alert Level 2 activities which can be found here.
Considerations include online registrations, briefings and prizegiving to minimise risks to not only those taking part but your club's volunteers.
It is crucial that all government guidance regarding the number of people allowed to gather is adhered to, as well as hygiene requirements. Contact tracing measures must also be put in place.
Issuing a notice to competitors is a good way to communicate with competitors to inform them of the processes put in place under level 2 restrictions.
It is also an appropriate way of notifying everyone involved of changes that may need to be made that relate to briefings, prizegiving and other activities that can not take place under level 2.
Your RDM might be able to help if you have any questions about drafting this type of notice or feel free to contact a member of the Yachting New Zealand Race Officials Sub-committee.
It's a good idea to include a Coronavirus statement when writing a notice of race, which will give entrants certainty of how the organising authority will respond to the various Covid-related alert levels.
An example of this could be as simple as the following:
Coronavirus statement:
"The running and organisation of this event will be subject to the Coronavirus requirements at the time. If it becomes necessary to cancel the event, payments made to XXXX by competitors in relation to the event will be refunded.”
Thought should be given to how different lockdown levels around the country may affect national championships and advice should be sought from the relevant class association on how the organising authority should handle this.
More examples can be found on the Yachting New Zealand website here.
Volunteers and officials
Under Alert Level 2 restrictions, we are encouraged to minimise contact with other people. So in order to keep our volunteers and officials safe, every step should be taken to minimise contact.
Where possible, volunteers and officials should be matched with people they know and, most importantly, that they are comfortable being in closer contact with. We all need to be respectful of people's personal spaces and bubbles, especially when it comes to things like race committee boats, support boats, judges and umpires.
Rescheduling events
Many events were rescheduled last season and, unfortunately, others might need to be rescheduled this summer.
In addition to meeting current and future government guidance and rules, thought will need to be given to notifying competitors of any new dates.
If NORs and /or sailing instructions have been issued, they will need to be amended. If any entries have been received, it is advised to contact the entrants and see if they are still able to compete. If not, it is suggested that a refund of entry fees be considered.
Please update the Yachting New Zealand regatta calendar of rescheduled regional or national events.
Stay safe, start sailing
At the end of the day, we all want to be back on the water doing what we love – be it sailing or officiating. But what we mustn’t lose sight of is the fact we need to do so safely and in line with all of the government advice and guidance.
None of us want to go backwards and none of us want to be responsible for Covid returning so, as we return to the water, make sure to play by the rules on and, more importantly, off the water.
