NEWSLETTER
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2021 National Volunteer Week
April 18 - 24, 2021

The Value of One.
The Power of Many.


Ontario Sailing sends a big THANK YOU to all of our volunteers during this 2021 National Volunteer Week.

Ontario Sailing is truly a volunteer run organization and without the tireless efforts and generous giving of our volunteers’ time, we would not be the organization that we are today.

National Volunteer Week not only gives us the chance to publicly recognize and celebrate the outstanding efforts of our volunteers but also a chance to thank them for all that they do for us on a daily basis.

“We appreciate your dedication, your time, and your energy and we celebrate, recognize, and thank you! This week is dedicated to you - along with the other 51 weeks of the year!”

WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!
Happy Earth Day!

Across the Globe - Remember to Cherish Our Home! It’s the only one we have!

Let's celebrate our World!

Safeguard our environment so that we can make this planet a better place for our future generations.

"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed." (Mahatma Gandhi)
COVID Update
April 22, 2021
 
In the past few weeks, the third wave of COVID has grown in Ontario causing stricter Regulations to be put in force across the province. This started with the addition of a Stay-at-Home Order limiting individuals to only leaving their homes for specific essential reasons. Then last week, the government announced a dramatic tightening of the Regulations that govern what is permitted to be open while under the Shutdown.

As we look at the Regulations and how they may be impacting our activities, the fundamental overarching law is the Stay-at-Home order. Reducing the mobility of all Ontarians is key to reducing the cases of COVID and the impact that those cases are having on our already drained health system.

The second set of Regulations that governs what may be open and sets rules for organizations saw substantial changes on April 17th to support the need to keep Ontarians at home. Limiting outdoor recreation was a key message in the government’s media releases and that was reinforced in what we saw when the actual Regulations became available the next day. The section that had previously supported the activities being undertaken at many of our member organizations saw substantial changes. The intention of these changes supported the specific closures of many other outdoor recreation amenities.

The specific wording of the Regulations is vague and broadly written and as such, for the first time in the pandemic, Ontario Sailing is unable to offer any input into an interpretation of these Regulations, especially given the vast differences between all our member organizations. We know different municipalities are interpreting the Regulations differently and many other organizations are trying to understand the impacts.

We know many people may be asking “what can I do” or “how come someone else can do something and we can’t”? We appreciate the frustration; we wish we had clear concrete direction we could provide. We recommend each organization takes the required steps to see how, in their specific situation, they fit and what information they can get from their insurance company and their municipality. We will continue to explore opportunities to look for answers.

The one thing that is clear is that Ontario is in trouble with growing COVID case counts and everyone needs to do their part to bring these numbers down and take the strain off the health system. The overarching Regulation to be aware of, as individuals, is the Stay-at-Home order. For all aspects, interactions at gas stations or running the risk of getting hurt doing things from driving places or different physical activities, staying at home is the best way to limit risks. We are all dreaming of a summer with friends on the water; the only chance of achieving that dream is to Stay at Home now and do our part.

Have patience for summer to come and have patience with each other. It has been a long road; we are all tired and just want to be out on the water! Let’s all Stay Home, Together!
COVID FAQs for the Individual Sailor

Current as of April 20, 2021

Please remember that the COVID Regulations change regularly and decisions about what is permitted may also change quickly and suddenly. Please read and follow any communication updates or directives from the organization where you store your boat. These answers are provided as a high-level general overview and not specific to each individual situation.

Many of the answers to these questions depend on the decisions made by the organization where you normally sail, or who hosts events you participate in. Many factors, including the classification of the region you are currently in, play a part in the answers and the overall risk management decisions made by the Board or owner of the location you store your boat.

Please Note: Ontario Sailing does not set any COVID-19-related regulations or restrictions regarding your activities. This is not legal advice. We are sharing publicly available information regarding Provincial laws. The links provided may not link to the latest form of the Regulation. Each organization is responsible for understanding your legal situation, managing your risk, making decisions on how to proceed, and managing any consequences; Ontario Sailing takes no responsibility for your reliance on the information we provide in our COVID-19-related communications.
 
Am I allowed to go sailing this summer?
  • Generally recreational sailing is permitted in Ontario under the Regulations except when under a Stay-at Home order. In Shutdown, Grey and Red classifications, you may only sail with members of your household. Further limits, especially related to timing and numbers, may be place by individual organizations for your safety to ensure a small number of people gather.
 
Who am I allowed to bring onboard with me?
  • In Shutdown, Grey and Red classifications, you may only sail with members of your household.
 
Does the Stay-at-Home Order change any of this?
  • The Stay-at-Home order regulates individuals while the other Regulations focus on organizations. Under the Stay-at-home Order, people are allowed to leave their houses for physical activity but only to attend organizations that are open. Under the current Regulations for organizations, they are generally not allowed to permit recreational boating.

Can I work on my boat and have it launched during the stay-at-home order?
  • Unfortunately, there are many aspects to this question from a Regulation perspective and the Regulations are unclear so Ontario Sailing is unable to answer this question. This question needs to be directed to the organization where your boat is stored. We hope you will respect the direction given by the organization where your boat is located.
 
Am I allowed to take part in a race?
  • Sport activities involving more than one person, including double handed sailing or multi crew boats or any competition of any type of boat, are only allowed under the classifications of Orange, Yellow or Green.
 
Do my crew and I have to wear masks?
  • If you are under a classification where you can have crew outside of your household and race (Orange/Yellow/Green) then under the Regulations, you are not required to wear a mask while actively participating in the sport. However individual organizations hosting events may include mask wearing as a requirement and it is strongly recommended to wear a mask whenever you are within 2m of anyone outside your household.
 
Can I participate in a regatta?
  • If an organization is hosting a regatta under the classification of Orange/Yellow or Green AND your crew has not been regularly participating in a series of races (such as weekly club race nights), you may join a stand-alone regatta. Once a crew has committed to a regular ongoing series of racing, you may not compete with a different group.
 
Where can I get more information?
 
As COVID relates to sailing, Ontario Sailing maintains a COVID webpage https://ontariosailing.ca/news/covid-19-information/

To ensure you are getting up to date and accurate information, please only reference Ontario-based information from well researched and professional sources.

Virtual
Assistant Race Officer Training for Women


May 26 & 27, 2021

7:00-10:00 PM

This all-women event provides a new context for participants who want to learn more about how sailboat races are run. This collaborative learning environment seeks to establish a space where women can come together to better their race management skills. Participants will have the opportunity to work with and learn from two female Sail Canada Race Management Instructors. In the sharing of ideas and experiences, participants will not only earn their ARO certification, they will be able to make lasting connections with other women in sailing.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn:
  • Rules in sailing
  • Basic principles
  • Components of a sailboat race
  • Roles on the race committee team
  • Running a sailboat race
  • Certification levels

COST: $28.25 (includes taxes)

Participants must attend both sessions to qualify for Certification.
COVID-19 Updates

Updates regarding COVID-19 can be found on the front page of our website at https://ontariosailing.ca/news/covid-19-information/.
We update this page on a regular basis so be sure to check back often.

Although the Ontario Sailing office is closed as staff participate in physical distancing, staff can be reached directly by email. A list of staff email addresses can be found at https://ontariosailing.ca/about/ontario-sailing-staff/  along with staff responsibilities.
Sharing of Information

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