Hello Clubs & Paddlers,
 

First of all we hope everyone had a fantastic and safe New Year and are ready for an exciting 2021. We would like to provide a small update on the current situation related to the coronavirus from a Dragon Boat NSW perspective.

 
UPDATE
 

While there has been a number of cases in Greater Sydney over the holiday period there has been no recent changes to the NSW Government Public Health Order on Gathering and Movement that have impacted Community Sporting Activities which includes Dragon Boat training and events. The current requirements are;

The Order outlines the following requirements for a community sporting activity (indoors or outdoors) that involves a gathering of more than 20 participants:

From Monday, 7 December 2020:

• The gathering must not exceed a total of 3,000 participants or a maximum of 1 person per 2 square metres, whichever is lesser for outdoor activities, and a maximum of 1 person per 2 square metres for indoor activities, which includes:
  • a person engaged in the sporting activity, and
  • an official (including a volunteer) involved in the conduct or organisation of the sporting activity, and
  • a spectator of the sporting activity.
     
• The organiser must:
  • develop and comply with a COVID-19 Safety Plan that addresses the matters required by the COVID-19 safety checklist available on the nsw.gov.au website, and
  • keep a copy of the COVID-19 Safety Plan and make it available for inspection by an authorised officer as requested.

Community sport organisations are strongly encouraged to review the Public Health Order to ensure that they are complying with the requirements.

While we are all in a very fortunate position where we are still able to be on the water DBNSW emphasises that no club or individual should feel pressured into participating in the sport if they feel that doing so would incur a risk to their health and safety. While the minimum requirements for community sport have been outlined by the state government and DBNSW, clubs are encouraged to modify their training plans and practices if doing so would reduce risk to their members’ wellbeing.
 
NORTHERN BEACHES
 
The exception to the above health order is to those clubs and members located on the Northern Beaches, specifically those from the Northern Zone (in Southern Zone Greater Sydney restrictions apply). The Public Health Order for the Northern Zone and its restrictions can be found here and we encourage all dragon boaters from the area to comply.
 
At this stage, after discussions with the Office of Sport and the venue we are currently unable to have any clubs or individuals that reside in the Northern Beaches Northern Zone (or have visited since 18 Dec) to attend Round 5 at Point Wolstoncroft on 17^th January. We are continuing our discussions with the Office of Sport and the Venue and if changes occur to the restrictions for this zone they will be communicated to those impacted as soon as possible.
 
Any club or member who has further questions on this and the impact on dragon boating should feel free to get in touch with us.
 
MANDATORY FACE COVERING
 
Additionally while it does not directly impact current outdoor dragon boat activities for our clubs and members those individuals residing and visiting Greater Sydney should be aware of the Mandatory Face Covering Order in indoor premises that has come into effect. The Greater Sydney Region includes the LGAs of the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong.
 
 REGATTA SERIES - ROUND 5 (POINT WOLSTONCROFT)
 
With the above in mind Round 5 of the Regatta Series is schedule to go ahead on Sunday 17^th Jan at Point Wolstoncroft. If there are any significant changes or updates for the event they will be communicated to all clubs as soon as practicable. Please note entries are via RevSPORT and close this coming Friday evening at 11:59 pm.
 
Finally stay up to date with latest information related to COVID-19 by visiting the NSW Health website, Office of Sport for sport related info and the DBNSW Covid Info Hub for dragon boat advice.
 
Kind Regards,
DBNSW Team