Challenges for sailing clubs as announcement expected tonight

The much-anticipated lockdown ease for bars, restaurants and other social establishments is hotly predicted to take place tonight. For sailing clubs it can’t come soon enough.

A recent survey on the #RestartSailing Facebook page found that 41% of clubs have opened, 45% are in the planning stages of opening, and 14% are unable to open due to external factors. The term ‘opened’ is used loosely here. Many clubs are simply allowing members to access their boats for single handed (or with family crew) sailing. But the missing social income is vital.

Plus, approximately 70% of sailing events have been cancelled in the UK, including open, regional and national events, according to Restart Sailing which has collated information about club activity during Covid-19. Clubs rely on these events to bolster their income, and when that’s already reduced due to the lockdown closures, losing the big events could mean many may not break even this year.

Currently one of the biggest challenges for clubs is the provision of a properly manned rescue boat, while still complying with government distancing restrictions. Even if a club is able to man a RIB within guidelines, it’s impractical to rescue someone without getting up close.

“We can’t safely launch, man and recover the RIBs with a two-metre rule in place,” says Barry Corke, Commodore of Lee on Solent Sailing Club. His club has resumed informal racing, but obviously the full racing programme is not possible.

“The number of boats able to take part in races is really restricted. For the larger races and open meets we have planned, we won’t be able to provide a committee boat.”

Tonight’s expected announcement of a relaxation of the social distancing rules will be welcomed, especially as boats have been going out without any safety cover. Sailors have been reminded to sail within their experience and physical limitations, but this hasn’t stopped incidents occurring.

And with the much-curtailed distancing programming, the expected reopening of clubhouses and bars from early July will come with its own challenges.

“We’re doing all we can to protect our members when things ease further and we can open the clubhouse and bar,” says Corke. “We’re installing Perspex shielding for our bar staff and volunteers, and the toilets now have paper hand towels, disinfectant sprays and hand cleaner available.

“It’s the two-metre social distancing that’s the issue. We can’t kick start the social side of the club while it’s still in place. It’s just not feasible. If it’s reduced to one metre this will make a big difference.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to resume normal racing soon, but the Sailing Committee has taken the decision to cancel all training until next year. We feel it’s only right that the volunteers who run the training are able to get out sailing when they’re able to, having missed so much of the season so far.

“When people get out of the habit of coming down to the club,” says Corke, “they go off and find something else to do. It could be a real problem.”

What tonight’s announcement will bring is predicted by all national press, but it’s how sailing clubs adjust to new challenges, and adapt, that will determine their future successes.