COVID-19 QCYC Learn to Sail Protocols

Our goal is to provide access to Learn To Sail Programming while minimizing the risk of virus transmission. We have used the information available from the Province  and Provincial Sport Organizations, to develop our club protocols and policies to offer a safe environment according to the governing bodies guidelines. The Club’s protocols are fluid and likely to evolve as new information becomes available. 

Some general operational considerations across all Queen City Yacht Club interactions and activities have been established to help our members, and staff, minimize their risk and exposure.

These include:

• • All persons entering or remaining at the club or in enclosed common areas on these premises shall wear a mask or face covering which covers the nose, mouth and chin as required
• • Limitation of contact intensity and number of contacts (2m physical distancing, capacity limits for events and programs)
• • Mandatory self-screening by all persons coming to QCYC (Daily COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool)
• • Updated illness policies for members and staff: if you or a household member is exhibiting symptoms of a cold, flu, or COVID-19, please stay home!
• • Frequent cleaning and sanitation of high-touch areas
• • Hand sanitizer at entrances, and additional hand washing stations
• • Minimizing indoor activities for our programs
• • Reduced program sizes
• • Daily hand washing routines outlined for staff and students

QCYC QCYC Learn to Sail Operation Plan

At present, the Ministry of Health has recommended that people should physically distance themselves where possible, while the focus for younger children is on minimizing physical contact because maintaining physical distance is less practical. With your help in adapting to some new protocols, we believe that we can safely operate our Learn To Sail Program as scheduled.

In order to continue to provide safe operations for our LTS Program, we will require our participant’s and their family’s cooperation with the following new protocols to ensure a safe learning environment and facility:

• • Please conduct a routine daily self-assessment test for the student and the household before coming to the Club. (General Rule, if you are sick, please do not come to the club, stay home and recover!)
• • Partial refunds for days of instruction missed due to illness will be available, please contact the Head Instructor by email to request a credit due to illness.
• • Participants, or participants that share a household with a person, at higher risk of experiencing severe illness are recommended not to participate in the LTS Program at this time.
• • To aid with physical distancing recommendations, class sizes have been reduced and all students will be sailing single-handed. Our CANSail Basic and Advanced programs will continue in the Pico and Opti boats. Picos will be rigged for single-handed sailing.
• • Students will have to arrive to the Club in their sailing clothing. No indoor space will be available for changing, but outdoor showers will be available to rinse off. We recommend that students dress in layers, and still bring a change of clothing and a beach towel. Clothing recommendations include a water resistant shell jacket, longsleeve UV rated ‘tech’ fabric top (avoid cotton clothing), and closed-toe shoes.
• • Drop off and Pick Up will be at the foot of York Street as in prior years. When a student is dropped off they will be greeted by a sailing instructor and have their hands sprayed with an alcohol disinfectant. The greeting instructor will then take attendance, and review hand-washing etiquette, etc.
• • No Hot Lunch Program is offered. Lunch will be at slightly staggered lunch times for each group to avoid crowding. The classes will abide by recommended standards while eating at the facility, and regular physical distancing guidelines when using the lawn area for lunchtime.
• • While at the Club, students will be reminded to maintain physical distancing measures (2m), and proper hygiene practices (hand washing). Signage will be posted around the Club to remind students of physical distancing measures, proper hand hygiene, and limited indoor space capacities. An additional hand washing station will be available on the lawn where the classes take place, and the bathroom in the LTS Club House will be for sailing program use only.
• • Students will be assigned a boat and equipment for the duration of the program, along with instructions for reducing the handling of classmates’ boats and equipment.
• • All boats and equipment will be washed daily after use.
• • The cancellation policy for the LTS Program has been adjusted to be more flexible. Refunds are available for classes up to 24 hours before the class starts, and partial refunds are available if days of instruction are missed due to illness.