Return to Paddling:

May 27, 2021

The canoe club is in the process of moving towards on water training.  This will be a phased approach starting with our high performance and development athletes.  There are, however, several steps that need to be taken by you, the athletes/parents, and the coaches to ensure that we are returning to a training environment that is both safe and conducive to quality training.  Below you will find a list of things you need to do to get back on the water and things you need to know.  Recognizing that returning to Ashbridges Bay while complying with all CKC, CKO and Public Health regulations will require cooperation from everyone, a second e-mail with specific policies relating to the function of the site and practices/procedures will follow when we have solidified a start date for on water training.

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Things You Need To Know

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The link below will take you to the CKC return to paddle policy page.  The Balmy Beach Canoe Club will be operating with strict adherence to these policies at all times.  We will continue to reassess and evaluate our policies to ensure we are aligned with all changes and developments with regards to these regulations.

Canoe Kayak Canada: https://canoekayak.ca/paddling-covid-19-public-health-measures/

Additionally, all athletes and coaches must be adhering to strict daily health monitoring before accessing the paddling environment.  All athletes, coaches/leaders or anyone who will be part of the paddling environment must adhere to the policies below:

• All individuals must continuously monitor their own personal health.

• All individuals in the paddling environment are required to self-monitor daily (prior to attendance at a session) for symptoms of COVID-19 using the Government of Canada Self-Assessment Tool at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/ and any person showing symptoms must:

  • Report to Peter or Chris their absence

  • Coaches will immediately inform Anne Buckley when an absence is due to:

    • experiencing signs or symptoms of COVID-19; or

    • having been in close contact with or living in a household with a person who has signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or who is being tested for COVID-19

  • Refrain from entering the paddling environment or coming into close contact with others and seek appropriate medical attention and direction on isolation.

• Any coach/leader/paddler who exhibits COVID-19 related symptoms, or has come into close contact with a person who has symptoms of COVID-19 are not permitted to return to the paddling environment for at least 14 days

• If the coach/leader/paddler attended a BBCC training session in the 48 hrs period prior to start of symptoms – expect Anne Buckley to reach out to collect tracing information so that reasonable steps can be taken to protect our paddlers/coaches at the Canoe Club.  The identity of the coach/leader/paddler will not be shared but information will need to be collected.   

 

Boat Storage

Until we enter Stage One of the provincial reopening plan, all boats and equipment will be stored on the trailer.  The boat bay will not be accessible during this period of time.  If you need to remove your boat from the boat bay please let Chris know and we can arrange a time this Saturday for its removal. 

 

Washroom

Washroom usage will be limited to emergency use only.  A mask must be worn at all times when inside the building and all common touch surfaces must be wiped down after use.  If these policies are not adhered to, use of the facilities will be restricted.

 

We will also be following a strict adherence to the following protocol for anyone who becomes symptomatic while in the training environment:

• A paddler must notify a coach that they are sick and get off the water right away

• The paddler should place their boat on the trailer, collect their belongings, call their parent or emergency contact and isolate in their vehicle or in a location specified by the coach, until a            coach speaks with them

• A sick paddler must remain at the practice location until a parent or emergency contact is satisfied they are safe to drive or picks them up

• A coach will put on a fresh mask and gloves and take a mask and gloves to the paddler

• The coach will confirm that the paddler’s parent or emergency contact has been reached or will help the paddler contact telehealth at 1-866-797-0000

• The paddler will retrace their steps to identify any surfaces touched and any close contacts (persons within 2 metres for 15 minutes or more)

• Coach or Anne Buckley to contact close contacts to inform only that they may have had close prolonged contact with someone showing symptoms of COVID-19 – the close contact will be            directed to advice from their doctor or telehealth

• A coach will wear a mask and gloves to clean all surfaces identified as having been touched by the paddler – including the boat used

 

Things you NEED to do

There are several steps you must take as an athlete before you can return to training.  All of these steps MUST be taken before you return to on water training.

 

1. All athletes must be registered as a Balmy Beach Canoe Club Athlete.  Athletes can register via this link: 
   SportiCal - 2021 Full Summer Development + HP - Balmy Beach Canoe Club

2. Read and sign the 2021 Participant Waiver (Attached File)

3. Read and sign the 2021 BBCC Policy and Procedure Document (Attached File)

4. Read the 2021 BBCC COVID-19 Safety Plan (Attached File)

 

Once again, I must reiterate that all of the above steps must be taken before any athlete will be approved to return to on water training. 

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You will receive an email following this to assign you to your group including your arrival time which will also outline the schedule for next week.

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Thank you athletes and parents for taking the time to read through this message thoroughly. Once we have approved a return to paddle date, we will publish a follow up announcement with the BBCC specific practice policies.