As you may be aware, Rowing Victoria has worked hard to get us back on the water. However it hasn't stopped there! RV have recently released a regatta calendar up to the weekend of the December 5th, with regattas held in both regional and metro Melbourne!

The regattas will have a similar mantra to current training conditions "get in, compete, get out". To ensure the safety of competitors, rowers will only be able to compete in one event per regatta, with crews staying on the water between heats and finals for multi-lane regattas. For head races crews will be required to arrive, get on the water, race, return to land, clean up/pack up and return home. 

This means that there will be no spectators at the regatta. One parent, guardian or carer is permitted to attend if they are supporting rowers with additional needs. Additionally, due to RV restrictions, ERC will not be bringing marquees to regattas until it is safe to do so.

Other conditions due to safety will be:

• On land, physical distancing and the wearing of masks will be required by all. This also means coaches on bikes following crews.

• Masks are to be worn by all crews on land and can be removed on water and should be stored in zip-lock, named bags. For safety, coxswains on water do not need to wear masks.

• Boat trailer parking areas and schools will be cordoned off from each other; minimizing mixing.

• A COVIDSafe marshal(s) will be in attendance to assist around the Boat park and with scheduling access to the launching pontoons/ landings.

• Physical distancing of 1.5m communicated with groups of no more than 10 to gather for race briefings.

• No sharing of drink bottles.

• If shared, boats are to be cleaned after each row with disinfectant wipes and oar handles washed with an alcohol-based cleaning solution

• No post-race presentations. No celebratory hugging!

• Access to Umpiring facilities (judges tower, commentary area) is prohibited.

• Density limits for the Regatta Secretary’s space to be acknowledged.

• Access to other boat clubs/ sheds is prohibited. These clubs need to manage access and density limits.

• Signage will be placed around venues to reinforce COVIDSafe Principles

• Records will be kept of entries supporting any requirement for contact tracing.

You can read the full notice from RV here - Competing Supporting Rowing through Covid.

It is important that we, as a club and individuals, follow this guidance at regattas. We are looking forward to racing again in a COVID safe way!

Stay Safe,

ERC Covid Sub-Committee