Ascot Kayak Club COVID-19 MANAGEMENT PLAN
The spread of the COVID-19 virus throughout the world has now affected the lives of all of us. The AKC Committee is committed to our number 1 priority of ensuring the health and safety of all our members, which now includes minimising the risk to members of exposure to and contracting COVID-19.
Today, Paddle Australia has released the PA Guidance To Paddlers and Paddle Clubs document, which in conjunction with the latest advice and mandatory regulations of the Federal and State Governments, forms the basis of the AKC COVID-19 Management Plan. Given the continuously changing regulations implemented to manage COVID-19 our plan will be updated accordingly to ensure that AKC remains compliant with all regulations and minimising risk to our members.
I encourage all members to access the Paddle Australia Website and familiarise themselves with the latest comprehensive advice. We will also place information throughout the club for our members benefit.
The club will continue to operate however within the below management strategies and Government mandated regulations.
1. If you feel unwell, or believe you may have come in contact with someone who may have been infected with COVID-19, STAY AWAY FROM THE CLUB and seek appropriate medical advice. If unsure err on the side of caution.
2. If you require to undergo a period of SELF ISOLATION you must serve the mandated full period before returning to the club. If unsure err on the side of caution.
3. Exercise good hygiene. We are installing an external hand wash station during known busy periods for all members to use. Please consider bringing your own hand sanitiser as the club is unable to access any at this time.
4. Clean all the AKC equipment you use thoroughly. This includes boats, paddles, PFD's and gym/ergo equipment. Specialised washing equipment for PFD's and paddles will be made available during known busy periods.
5. Maintain the social distance of 1.5m and avoid physical contact with other people. A good rule of thumb is to place your paddle across your shoulders and turn a full 360 degrees. If you make contact with another person you are too close. During known busy periods we will be spreading our training squads across the two beaches to enable people to maintain a safe distance from each other.
6. Our current training squads will continue at this point in time, however we will review these weekly and discontinue them if deemed to be high risk, or mandated to by the Government.
7. The gym is potentially one of our highest risk areas. Ensure you bring a towel and some antiseptic wipes to clean the equipment during and after use. We are currently considering a cap on numbers in the gym at any one time and the real possibility of closing the gym. We will keep you informed.
8. Avoid team boats. We encourage members not to paddle in their private team boats.
Effective immediately all AKC club K2's, K3 and K4's are withdrawn from use and members are not permitted o use them until further written notice from the AKC President.
We are very fortunate that our sport is primarily outdoor based and gives us an opportunity to continue paddling in these unprecedented times. If we remain diligent in practicing the above risk management measures, with a bit of good fortune we will be able to paddle our way through the COVID-19 crisis.
We all belong to the best Kayak club in the world. Look after each other, your families and yourselves.
See you out on the water. (from a distance of least 1.5meters)
Mark Sedgwick
President
Ascot Kayak Club