Dear Members,

After waiting on the advice from the RYA and reviewing the latest guidance from the Government, with regards COVID-19, the staff and committee feel it’s only right to follow the strong advice and to suspend all organised club, open meeting and training activities (including club racing and Youth & Junior sessions) until further notice as they fall under the public gathering category. As a club we have many members who fall into the higher risk category, therefore it is only sensible to implement social distancing measures to reduce the social interaction between people which is non-essential.

However, Draycote Water Sailing Club continues to be open daily during the usual water opening times until further notice and can be used by members if they follow measures to reduce interaction on site and ensure they follow public health guidance around signs of COVID-19. The club has implemented NHS advice on site and asks all members to adhere to it – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/. Therefore, if members fall under the higher risk category, we ask you to stay away from the club to minimise the risk to you and other members.

Staff will endeavour to keep the site open by ensuring rescue and changing rooms are available to those who wish to use them. We would, however, recommend that, if possible, you arrive at the club in your sailing kit and return home to get changed out of it. To ensure the security of the premises and avoid the risk of members of the general public using our facilities, entry to the clubhouse will only be possible using your membership card or fob. Neither the wet bar nor lounge will be operational. To restrict the cleaning required, the lounge will be locked shut but the wet bar will be open to provide seating.

Remaining open like this is only possible if we have sufficient staff available and it may be that this position will have to be changed at short notice. As always, check the club website for information about any closure.

This couldn’t have happened at a worse time for the club with membership renewals due at the end of the month. We will incur only essential expenditure until this crisis is over, however we would urge you to renew your membership to support the club. We are determined to come out of this in a sound position with your support.

The club staff and committee are reviewing government and RYA advice daily and will update members of any changes as and when they occur. In the meantime, please support your club, use the facilities as per the government advice and keep our staff, fellow members and your families safe.

With best wishes

Jeremy Atkins

Commodore