We are all aware of the ongoing concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.  While I want to be sure that our membership remains healthy, I also want to provide an environment that we can safely continue to sail.  After numerous discussions with the Iowa DNR, we have agreed on the below guidelines.  The guidelines cover both club races and regattas that we may host.  The most pertinent section for club races is in the “Racing” portion of the guidelines.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me and I will try to answer them.

Good luck this weekend!  Hopefully the weather will cooperate!

Hank Anderson
CLYC Commodore

CLEAR LAKE YACHT CLUB
2020 COVID-19 RESPONSE
REGATTA/RACING GUIDELINES

GENERAL:  Sponsors will follow Iowa Department of Public health, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Federal CDC guidelines or requirements as applicable.
PEOPLE ON SITE:

• Require 6 feet social distancing at the facility, including the docks.
• Enforce maximum permissible group size (currently 10). (E.g. 6 students, 3 instructors and 1 safety person.)
• Encourage use of face masks; require when social distancing is not achievable.
• Require users of club items to disinfect items used before and after use.

OWNER BOATS

• Owners are responsible for cleanliness of their own boats and equipment.

CLUB FACILITIES

• Commonly handled items such as locks, key pads, shop and office door knobs, keys shall be wiped down after each use.
• Club equipment, if used, will be wiped down before and after use BY THE USER.

DOCKS

• 6 feet intervals are marked as social distance reminders.

SIGNAGE

• Place reminder sign regarding social distancing, group size, face masks, and disinfecting.
• Place other small reminder signs in other locations as appropriate.

SANITIZER STATIONS

• Place sanitizer stations in common areas, by the water bottle fill station, and on docks/ piers.
• Provide diluted bleach solution and/or sanitizer with dispensers on club boats.

CLUB SAILBOATS

• Users should sanitize touched parts of boats BEFORE and AFTER usage with provided disinfectant.  (Spray then wipe down with paper towel)

SHORE AREAS

• Shelter areas used will follow DNR pavilion/shelter restrictions regarding groups and reservations.
• Individuals and family units can use, subject to size and spacing guidance.
• Tables will be spaced per restaurant restrictions and not moved.
• USERS SHOULD BRING THEIR OWN PICNIC TABLE COVERINGS.
• USERS MUST BRING ALL GRILLING AND EATING UTENSILS AND SERVICE AND EATING WARE.
• Common cooking areas (grills, etc.) should be wiped down before and after use by the user.
• Folding tables and chairs should be wiped down before and after each use by the user.

BEACH TOYS AND LIFE JACKETS

• Beach toys shall not be distributed.
• Personnel should bring and use their own life jackets.
• Club life jackets shall only be used as a last resort, and by club officials only. They should be sprayed by the user with disinfectant before and after use.

RACING

• There will be no participant gatherings either prior to or after any club races.
• All race participants will proceed to the racecourse directly from their residence or docking location.
• The club boats will be restricted to the race committee (generally two to three people).  No guests.
• The boats and equipment will be sprayed with disinfectant, including flag poles and boat hooks before and after use.
• Boat crews for races should be:
  • solo,
  • with immediate family members,
  • or, individuals with whom you have “practically” sheltered-in-place
• During rigging, derigging, launching and retrieval racers will practice social distancing.