Pre-registration for the Selden SailJuice Winter Series is now open – click HERE
‘Making the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series work in such unpredictable times means there is a new pre-entry process in place. The pre-entry opened on 1 October, even though the first even is some weeks away – the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash on the weekend of 20 & 21 November. Already there have been over 100 pre-registrations with quite a few signing up for all eight events.’
Don’t forget that 4th November sees our AGM and Committee elections. Committee nominations close tomorrow (Wednesday 21st October) so, if you would like to contribute to the Club in this way, get your nomination form in. As you will have read, we need the new team to run the Club to stand up now – joining the Committee, learning the ropes and then running the Club. Nominations forms can be found HERE.
Thank you so much to the vast majority of members who have observed the new rules, wearing masks in the Clubhouse. We know it’s a pain, but it is necessary. Unfortunately, some members using the lounge have not been wearing masks as required. We haven’t got time to remind people of their obligations. If this continues, we will have to shut the lounge. That would be a real shame as it gets colder, but it is really up to the individuals concerned. Wear a mask and keep the lounge open, don’t and it will be closed.
There was a good home turnout for the recent Aero Inlands with several events combining into one weekend.Full report is HERE.
The Topper Autumn Champs went well despite the extreme rain making it challenging for staff. Full results HERE
Pre-registration for the Selden SailJuice Winter Series is now open – click HERE
The Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash will be held here at Draycote on 21st & 22nd November.
The upcoming RS Tera EOS Champs will be a larger event with up to 70 boats taking part.
Well summer is now officially over (at least for those who race)! Sunday 18th October was the last day of the Summer series (with sadly no racing) and Sunday 25th October will be the first day of the Winter series.
To get racing back in the summer and to allow for the slowly changing Covid-19 regulations we have been doing ‘Wednesday-style’ average lap racing on Sundays. For the Winter series we move back to fleet racing and welcome a new fleet, the Aero, to the start line. Unfortunately, the Solos have been displaced as they haven’t been able to get sufficient numbers out every Sunday, but I’m sure they will continue to run their series and will be welcomed by the other boats on the Menagerie start.
The start sequence will now be:
Menagerie will remain on timed, average lap racing, but the fleets will be doing set distance racing with no times being taken as previously.
The staff have done a fantastic job running the racing over the summer and, with the new automated starting system, have shown how racing can be run by just one person.
But this has come at a cost which is not sustainable for the number of boats we have racing and has been made more difficult with Owen’s departure (although some of you may have noticed he’s been back working a few times having left!). So now it is back to people who participate in racing running the racing.
For the rest of 2020 this will be on a volunteer basis. Anyone who would like to, and particularly those who didn’t have to do their duties during the summer because the staff were doing them, are asked to volunteer to be the race team (send e-mail to daverowe@draycotewater.co.uk). Running the racing is fun and I guarantee most people will learn a lot from doing it.
From 1st January we will be back to DutyMan and the notice for this will be sent out at the start of November as usual.
As the staff have proved, the race team can now be one person, but we will be aiming to get 2 people to do it. This is down from the 3 previously and we have scrapped the concept of Chief ODs and Assistants. Any 2 (or even 1) people can do it. If you are not very experienced, Dave or Matt will be on hand to offer you advice and help.
In the current climate it would be preferable for members of the same household, or people who sail together, to be the race team together, but you can socially distance on the Committee boat, so this is not essential. You can also wear masks if you want. If you are really concerned about this, just book your duty later in 2021 when, hopefully, a vaccine will be available to all.
Ian Macwhinnie has burnt the midnight oil getting the Race Team Manual ready for the Winter series, with new instructions about how to run the automated system. Perhaps not a work of literature, but certainly a very useful guide. It can be seen HERE
DWSC Committee
Dear Member,
It has been fantastic to see good use of the Club and great turnouts over recent weeks and great to see so many members and visitors enjoying our fantastic water and club facilities. However, this communication is, I’m afraid, a bit of a dose of reality.
With the latest government announcements, we have got to make some significant changes.
Fortunately, at the moment, they do not change or curtail our on-the-water activity. The fleet captains met last night and their proposals for the winter series will go to the Directors in early October.
But onshore, and particularly in the clubhouse, there will have to be some major changes:
These changes are, of course, on top of the continuing requirements of:
• Maintaining social distancing (2 metres outside household / bubble)
• Not gathering in groups of more than 6
• Following the one-way system in the clubhouse
• No more than 2 people at a time in the toilets
We do notice and understand that the more familiar we become in an area social distancing, one-way systems and recording names for track and trace slip but we must stay consistent with these requirements more now than ever.
While we as members can choose whether to attend the club or not, we must remember that the club is a place of work for our staff. Please respect your fellow members, and particularly the staff, and obey the rules.
Our site is in a very public position and our observance of the rules can be seen by many. Thus far we have received very positive feed back but we have noted Rugby Borough Council has already stopped certain events happening at Draycote Water and we must protect ourselves from them stopping our activities. It would be really sad if we were placed under any restrictions.
Its is not just the Covid-19 related aspects that we need to keep on top of the normal struggles continue and we have noticed that car parking has become a problem maybe brought on by the current situation and lack of changing rooms
Can we remind all members that there are 3 permitted areas for members’ parking:
• The club’s main car park at the bottom of the hill
• The car parking areas to the west of the clubhouse
• A small marked area on the left of the dinghy park exit road
Nowhere else is permitted and particularly not on slipways or near the water.
The staff and committee don’t want to spend their time as Covid or car parking police, we must spend time on more positive aspects of running the club for the benefit of all, particularly in these difficult times.
I would urge all members to work within the restrictions that we have and actively encourage their fellow members to do the same. Please don’t leave it up to the staff and committee to have to do all the enforcement.
Best wishes,
Jeremy Atkins
Commodore
Following the introduction of the new regulations concerning gatherings we have reviewed what we, as a Club need to do. The fact is not a lot because it is down to how our members and visitors behave. We remind everyone that they must keep social distancing (2 metres apart except with mitigation) and not gather in groups of more than 6 (including children).
Nevertheless, we have decided to close the bar from Thursday 17th September. This will help resist the temptations to gather in groups of more than 6 and not socially distance. It is also not economical to keep the bar open at this time. The lounge will remain open with limited socially distant seating, with no groups of more than 6 people.
The Wet Bar no longer has table service, only a takeaway service, but the new marquee provides sheltered seating outside.
Many of you will have seen the new signage, reinforcing the one way system and need for social distancing. Compliance with the one way system is better as a result, so thank you for that.
Fortunately the latest guidance from the RYA indicates that on-the-water activities are not affected by the new regulations and can continue as before.
STATEMENT FROM IAN WALKER – RYA DIRECTOR OF RACING – REGARDING CURRENT EVENT ATTENDANCE
“As regulations regarding Covid-19 tighten up again in the UK, it is more important than ever that sailors show consideration to others.
Before attending your club, or any event, please consider the risk profile of yourself and your close family, as well as the risk you may pose to others.
Club and event risk assessments and the protocols that stem from them are more important than ever. I would urge everyone to show understanding and respect for both clubs and their fellow competitors.
The RYA will continue to be inclusive in its approach and anybody choosing not to attend Youth or Junior Events, either as a precautionary measure, or due to illness or self-isolation, will not be negatively impacted in any RYA Squad or Training Group selections.
The RYA team will continue to support club, class and event organising committees with their difficult and nuanced decision making, with the aim being for as many people as possible to enjoy sailing and racing in a safe and Covid secure manner. Thank you”
Dear Member,
One of the many consequences of the current Covid-19 crisis has been to make General Meetings of an organisation like ours difficult or impossible to hold while abiding by restrictions on gatherings. While our Articles allow for Directors’ (GC) Meetings to be held online, they currently only allow for our General Meetings to be held ‘in person’.
As part of their response to the issues raised by Covid-19, the government’s Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 offers flexibility notwithstanding the requirements laid out in the organisation’s governing documents, allowing General Meetings to be held online. This temporarily relaxes the rules during the ‘relevant period’ which is currently 26th March to 30th September 2020.
This may well get extended, but it may be done late – potentially too late for the required notice period for general meetings. So, the Committee feel they have to act to ensure that members can still be involved in the AGM and have a say in the running of the Club.
We are therefore going to hold a General Meeting online to propose amendments to our Articles to allow us to hold General Meetings (and particularly this year’s Annual General Meeting) online if required. The General Meeting to consider the amendments will be held on:
Wednesday, 23rd September, 18.30-18.45
Here is the formal notice of the meeting and the proposals.
Details for joining the meeting are:
Meeting ID: 881 4951 0784 (or click this LINK)
Password: DWSC-GM
It is vital that we have a quorum at this meeting (30 Club Members) so that the Articles can be amended. Although not a requirement, it would be extremely helpful if those intending to attend could e-mail the office with their name(s) and a contact telephone number. We can then work towards ensuring we have at least 30 members present online.
Assuming these proposals are passed, the AGM itself will be held as planned on Wednesday 4th November at 19.30 – highly likely to be online.
With best wishes
Jeremy Atkins
Commodore
A date has now been set for the Sir C Barratt Pursuit race which was originally in April but had to be delyed due to Covid-19.
The new date is 27th September, and datum is 1.30pm. There will be Club Racing in the morning as usual.
This will only be open to Draycote members unfortunately.
Dear Member
Thank you for your support as we have sought to open up the Club as we gradually move out of lockdown. The pace of change is slower now than it was previously, and we wanted to outline our plans over the next few months.
We are very conscious that the opening up of schools, local hotspots and potential second waves may mean that these plans have to be amended, but with that ‘health warning’:
1. Opening Hours: As from 1st September we will move to our normal opening hours – i.e. the water will open at 10am each day and the closing time will gradually get earlier as the light fades. The opening times can be found HERE.
2. Sunday Racing: As from 1st September we will move to the usual two races on Sundays. We will carry on with the reduced 3 starts per race for September and October. These races will continue to be run by the staff (and what a grand job they have been doing!). For the Winter Series (from 1st November) we will move to the starting sequence decided by the GC following the input from the Fleet Captains’ Meeting as usual. Racing sailors will then also take back the running of the racing from the staff. Between now and then we will sort out how this will work on Dutyman. (The new starting system will allow us to operate with only two people in the Committee Boat and will allow them to be socially distant.)
3. Wednesday Evening Racing: Because of the lost days at the start of the series, we will be extending Wednesday evening racing for two more Wednesdays: 9th and 16th September with the first warning signal at 6pm.
4. Changing Rooms: While we await any change in the government guidelines, our best guess is that it is unlikely that this will allow us to open the changing rooms this year. In correspondence with the RYA it has been stressed to us that “the intent of the government is clear – changing rooms are a higher risk location”. Obviously if this position changes, we will respond to it, but it is out of our hands and is fair to advise you of our opinion as to what is likely to happen. We are exploring provision of outdoor changing areas.
5. Sailing Kit: Without changing rooms, as we move towards colder temperatures it is absolutely vital that all our members ensure that they are adequately kitted out for the conditions – both on the water and between / after being on the water. We strongly recommend the use of dry suits, even in those boats where wet suits are more traditionally the ‘gear of choice’. However, please be aware that dry suits are already in fairly short supply and, if you don’t have one, we recommend that you source one soon. But, whatever you wear, please make sure your kit is up to the conditions at this time when you can’t immediately warm up in a hot shower.
6. Patio: Because most people will have to be outside when at the Club to maintain social distancing, we have used the money we will earn from upcoming open meetings to purchase a marquee to cover a substantial part of the patio to provide more covered outside area.
7. Maintaining Vigilance: It remains important that social distancing is observed, the one-way system is kept to and the limit of 2 at a time in the toilets and no changing in the toilets are maintained. We have purchased additional signage to reinforce this and are grateful to XG-Graphics and Jon Hughes for providing some of this for us free of charge.
Thank you for your support.
A separate e-mail will follow about a General Meeting of the Club on Wednesday 23rd September.
The Committee
Despite the best efforts of Covid-19 to restrict us, it has been great to see such a lot of activity at the Club:
And there’s more coming up with:
However, as it appears that we are getting closer to normal, there has been a bit too much relaxation of some behaviour with regard to the government and our own guidelines. As we are now in Phase 4b of our opening, can we remind you, for all our sakes:
These aren’t optional behaviours, they are vital if we are going to keep our site safe for us all. With test & trace, there is a real chance that if one of us tests positive, the rest of us will all have to self-isolate for 2 weeks – whether we have caught it or not, and the Club will face expenditure for a deep clean. So please stay safe yourselves and keep your fellow members safe.
We have also updated the poster for Phase 4b:
The Road Map and Risk Assessment have also been updated and can be found here
The RYA guidelines for sailing double-handed boats are here: https://www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/news/Pages/return-to-play-different-households-england.aspx?fbclid=IwAR2A9H1_CLK5P_xRpm_thw_o5gSkk-fdhsf0nfCtUoJKNV4wX1KhM6XWRE8
Phase 4 Opening
It has been fantastic to see so many boats on the water in our first Wednesday evening and Sunday morning races as a result of our Phase 4 Opening. We also ran our first socially-distanced open meeting on Saturday which was a great success.
As you are all well aware, things are changing rapidly, and we will now move onto Phase 4A as of Friday 24th April.
Face Coverings In Retail Premises
On that day it becomes a legal requirement for shoppers to wear face coverings in retail premises and this, of course, includes our own shop / Waterside Reception. Staff are not legally required to, but our members and visitors are.
Non-Household / Support Bubble Double-Handed Boats
Following a new instruction from the RYA we are adjusting our position with regard to non-household / support bubble double-handed boats.
It is important to stress that there has been no change in the government guidance on social distancing as it applies in this situation. What has changed is that the RYA has instructed that clubs are not responsible for enforcing these social distancing measures, it is the responsibility of the members concerned to ensure they adhere to social distancing measures when sailing together.
The full wording of the RYA’s position is:
Is it appropriate for people from different households to sail together in the same dinghy, keelboat or yacht?
The Government is trusting people to continue to act responsibly and follow the guidance on what they should and should not do. Therefore, participants will have to make their own decisions on whether they can sail their dinghy, keelboat or yacht whilst maintaining adequate social distancing. From the 4th July social distancing remains at 2 metres unless you use mitigating measures which will allow a reduction to 1 metre plus. On a boat, these mitigations could include (in addition to being outdoors) 1m separation marks on the deck, wearing face coverings, avoiding face to face contact, cleaning procedures, no shouting etc. The risk should be assessed case by case and with the correct mitigation in place, it may now be possible for up to 6 people from different households to sail certain boats.
It is the responsibility of the members concerned to ensure they adhere to social distancing measures when sailing together. Clubs should encourage safe sailing, but are not responsible for enforcing social distancing measures between members on the water sailing together in the same boat.
So, the onus is now on the people wanting to sail a non-household / support bubble double-hander to assess the risk, ensure they maintain adequate social distancing, have the appropriate mitigations in place and to justify their actions if challenged. The committee and staff will not authorise or offer any opinion on the measures taken by members.
In activity beyond the standard member activity, notably youth club, coaching, training and open meetings, non-household / support bubble double-handers will not be permitted to participate under the existing guidance.
The poster below summarises the new phase, and the Risk Assessment and Reopening Roadmap Plan have been updated.
