As has happened throughout the entire COVID-19 timeframe, the situation for Ontario Sailing's member organizations has been evolving rapidly with notable differences in different
regions across the province. It is important to note that while we can provide updates on the current provincial sailing restrictions and allowances, each local area and insurance company is currently enforcing different expectations. Therefore, there may be significant differences in how each Ontario Sailing member organization can move forward.
The following list outlines what is currently permitted and what is not yet allowed in relation to sailing activities at a provincial level:
- Boat clubs can resume recreational services - meaning launching and accessing boats to go for independent recreational sails with only people from your household.
- No clubhouses can be open, except for washroom use and emergency aid. Any food service is limited to take-out only and should not be consumed on property.
- Training for individual/singlehanded high-level competitors can begin, only when conducted directly by Ontario Sailing or Sail Canada as the recognized Provincial and National Sport Organizations or through a recognized member club following strict guidelines.
- Sailing competition under Racing Rules of Sailing is not permitted as no activity can take place if there is any likelihood of individuals coming within 2m of each other.
- Social events and organized gatherings at clubs are not permitted. No social gathering should be more than 5 people; all distanced at least 2m from each other.
- Recreational organized programs including Learn to Cruise, Learn to Sail, club race nights, cruising trips, etc. are not permitted.
- Note - Sailing schools which operate in a structure similar to a day camp (full-day program for youth) ... if they do become permitted provincially in the future, they will then be subject to approval from local public health units.
Each Board of Directors is legally responsible to follow the guidelines and ensure a variety of pieces are in place before opening. We would like our member organizations to be the gold standard in following protocols. We need to ensure that we do all we can to keep everyone in our community safe and enable us to continue to open more and more aspects of our facilities and programs.
To date during the pandemic, Ontario Sailing has provided over fifteen updates, four webinars and multiple resources to keep organization leaders up to date. As more restrictions are relaxed and more information becomes available, we will continue to provide opportunities for information and resource sharing.
In addition to providing this update, we want to take a moment to acknowledge all the volunteer work across the province.
The efforts are truly above and beyond by each organization's Board of Directors and the other volunteers that are working with them towards ensuring each sailing organization is following the rules and working in the best interests of their organization.
No one expected a pandemic when they agreed to become a Director. The Ontario Sailing team has seen the extra hours and incredible energy being put in to help ensure that as many people as possible experience a summer on the water in the safest way possible while protecting the health and safety of everyone with due diligence for their organization's long term sustainability. We encourage everyone to take a minute and thank your volunteers, especially your Board of Directors.
Continue to respect COVID-19 guidelines - We are in this for the long haul!
