Please read updated guidance.

This guidance is published by the committee and is subject to change based on updated guidance published by RYA Scotland and the Scottish Government.

The club will remain closed during Phase 1.

The club will re-open, with restrictions, in Phase 2.

It is the intention of the committee to re-open the club in Phase 2 in accordance with restrictions in Scotland. The exact timing will be published on the club website and by email to members after the Scottish Government has confirmed that Phase 2 has started.

Quick overview to club reopening in Phase 2

• The club will re-open for members to undertake exercise activities, providing all activity is consistent with current Scottish Government guidance on health, physical distancing and hygiene.
• Club house access will be restricted to:
  • Toilets
  • Changing rooms with social distancing measures
• Caravans and overnight camping is not permitted in Phase 2.
• Club racing will not take place in Phase 2.
• Members should only bring down boats, canoes or windsurfers they intend to use during Phase 2 and store them in the boat park.
• Members must use their own equipment to undertake activities. Use of club dinghies is not permitted.
• Members may sail on their own or with others from the same household as crew.
• Members are not permitted to invite guests to the club and are not to share transportation with others outside their household.
• Members should not leave their home to undertake exercise or outdoor activity if Scottish Government advice means you should stay at home because you or someone you live with has or has had symptoms of COVID-19, or you are in the most vulnerable category and have been advised to shield from the coronavirus

Club policies during Phase 2

Members should follow social distancing rules with other members external to their household when launching and recovering boats, accessing club house facilities and in the club grounds. It is a members responsibility to use hand sanitiser before and after using padlocks, handles and other touch points.

The committee is investigating a booking schedule system for taking boats down to the club, at the start, for days which are expected to be popular. This system will be announced in the notices confirming our opening date.

When inside the club house members must wear a mask or buff covering their mouth and nose.

Club house

Disinfectant, hand sanitisers and other hygiene products will be in place at the club house at marked hygiene points.

Small children should not enter the club house unless accompanied by an adult from the same household.

A one-way system will operate in the club house. Ladies enter through the female toilets and men through the male toilets. Both genders are to exit through the main entrance.

At all times the kitchen and the soft furnishing area is out of bounds.

Toilets

Members are responsible for disinfecting the toilet before and after use.

A no-touch soap dispenser and paper hand towels will be available at a single sink. Personal toiletries and towels are not to be used at the sink.

Showers are not permitted.

Changing rooms

Where possible members are requested to either:

• Come dressed for sailing
• Change in their car, or use an outdoor towel robe.
• Change in a pop-up cubicle for camping which can act as a personal changing room. These are available for £45 at decathlon or online. Other cheaper brands are also available.

When not practical, members may use the club changing rooms with the following restrictions:

• Ladies – maximum 2 ladies changing at once
• Men – maximum 3 men changing at once
• Use the changing spaces marked on the floor for social distancing
• Once changed you must immediately repack your items and move them back to your car. No items are to be left in the changing room
• Spray the surface you have touched with disinfectant before departing

Younger members are particularly asked to try alternate changing solutions and leave the changing rooms for older members.

Catering

The use of the kitchen facilities, utensils and fridges is not permitted.

Members should bring their own pack lunches, utensils and hot drinks which should be consumed outside or in their cars or tent. Members can BBQ provide they maintain social distancing.

Members must bag and take-home ALL of their rubbish for disposal.

Pontoon and rescue

The pontoon is out of bounds for all members except those accessing moored boats and manning rescue.

Under club rules the club is not required to provide rescue cover outside of racing. However, the committee recognises the need to maintain accessibility for members of all sailing levels and will provide rescue cover on limited dates. When confirmed, these dates will be published on the website. If weather conditions are greater than a Force 4 – rescue cover will be cancelled.

When operating the rescue boat will be crewed by members of the same household. Only one boat shall be on the water and remain in an area between a line from buoys D to K and the launching beach. Cover to other areas of the loch will not be provided.

Rescue cover will consist of towing boats needing assistance back to the shore. Sailors will not be allowed on the rescue boat unless there is a risk to their life. Sailors, or their crew, should be prepared to walk back to the club house if requested – while their boat is towed back.

Members are reminded that they should not sail in conditions beyond their competency. If in doubt please choose another form of exercise.

It is popular amongst younger members to practice cap sizing drills as a form of play activity. During Phase 2 parents are requested to prevent such games which can increase the likelihood of a rescue requirement.

The fuel locker is out of bounds to all members except those using the rescue boat.

Beach

We are blessed with a wide beach and members should maintain social distancing when launching and recovering their boat – with help only from their household members.

Children should not play or swim in the launching area, but can do so to at the beach end opposite the starter box. Canoeists and swimmers are also requested to launch from this area to prevent congestion.

Sailing times

It is not the intention of the committee to instigate defined sailing times as per age groups etc unless this proves necessary. Instead we ask those members who have the freedom to sail during the week to do that and leave the weekends free for those who cannot.

Public access

Whilst members of the public have right to follow the Southern Upland way through the club grounds it does not mean that they can use the club house or wander aimlessly amongst members.

It is the committee’s intention to clearly mark a guided path for the public which will take them across the top of the camping field and down by the boathouses to the stile and so avoid the front of the club house and the launching beach.

Looking ahead

Phase 3

It is hoped that in Phase 3 the club will be able to allow caravans and overnight camping, and when authorised by RYA Scotland resume some racing. It is currently envisaged that initial races will be handicap races for maximum inclusion.

Phase 4

It is hoped that in Phase 4 the club will be able to resume major events and training.

It is expected that this road map will change as we learn lessons and new guidance is made available to us.