May 3, 2020 CLSA Update
Dear CLSA friends,
This communication brings you news about our final plans for opening the sailing season. This opening will be different from any other season in our history, and will be full of change and adjustments. Not all CLSA functions will be permitted under continuing state orders and governance, but those that are permitted will be supported by our association. For those that are following the actions of Ohio’s leadership, a good topic to follow is the governance orders with respect to golf clubs. After much debate, golf clubs have been allowed to open. Other sailing clubs and CLSA leadership see our association in much the same light as a golf club. We provide a resource for members to enjoy a largely individual sport.
While being ever mindful about personal health and the ongoing presence of COVID-19 risks, we are joining others in the state in slowly and carefully re- opening. A review of other sailing clubs in Ohio indicates that we are among the first to be ready to welcome our members back! We are confident that with careful planning and cooperation by all our members, as well as a little bit of flexibility, we can accomplish this safely.
Please review the following carefully and stay tuned to the CLSA website and events calendar for updates as they become available.
Our official opening day is Saturday, May 9th. All the CLSA rules for grounds, facilities and harbor are in effect. Please review these rules if you have not read them recently. As a reminder, remember that we love our pets, but they are not permitted at CLSA.
Work parties: Our club members that serve as committee chairs have been hard at work. The result of their efforts means that there will be NO club opening work parties. Members that typically serve on these work parties will have other opportunities to fulfill their club work party commitments later in the season.
Kitchen facilities: Until further notice, the kitchen is not to be used for food preparation. This includes the ovens, ranges, and pots and pans and utensils. Club cups, plates, glasses, cutlery, bowls etc… may not be used because we cannot regulate how they have been washed. The microwaves may be used for wrapped food items and must be sanitized after each use, and all work surfaces touched must be wiped down. Please use the sanitizing agents and sponges made available for this purpose. Food and drinks may be stored in the refrigerator, freezer and walk-in only if completely wrapped and labelled with the member name. All food items left at the end of each day will be discarded (except for Memorial Day weekend). Members may use the outside grills for BYO meals, but must bring their own utensils and disposable food service items.
Picnic tables: The tables have been set up with additional spacing. They must be left as positioned to maximize social distancing. Do not move tables together.
Harbor and dock assignments: Much work has been completed in our harbor this year to repair and restore docks. Please review the harbor assignment rules, and only moor boats where they have been assigned. Member names and dock numbers have been attached to each assigned dock. If you have any questions about dock assignment or concern with dock condition, please contact the club harbormaster, Steve Fader at harbormaster@clsa.club.
Lift installation: As mentioned in the last communication, we are implementing a new procedure this year to install member lifts. Our goal is to install all remaining lifts in two days, focusing on working together but minimizing the number of members present at any one time. There will not be any other club lift parties than the two mentioned below.
Lift installation work parties are scheduled for Saturday, May 9 and Saturday, May 16. The club will provide a manager and two workers for these lift parties, each lasting 2 hours. A maximum of 5 lift owners can sign up for a shift. See the club calendar for times and sign-up opportunities.
Our labor organizer (Kathy Beatty) will be sending out a call-for-help for individuals that are interested in serving on a lift installation party. Please note that you cannot receive work party credit for working on a shift where your own lift is installed. Please communicate directly with her if you are interested in assisting. Working shifts will be morning or afternoon on each of the lift installation days.
If you have a lift on shore – you must sign up for one of these shifts so that we can get all lifts in the water and off the shore. If you are concerned for your own health, please ask someone else to represent you so that your lift can be placed in the water.
Racing program: At the date of this writing, we have not yet received an update from ODNR regarding our special permit for racing. Without that permit, organized racing events are banned. Club officers are working with the state on this topic. The ODNR website indicates they are opening for camping reservations as of May 17. We hope this signals a resumption of activities in Ohio’s state parks. If this changes, we will let members know as soon as possible. With this in mind we are going to plan for racing activity, with the caveat that it may be cancelled at the last minute. Our goal is to be ready at the first opportunity.
Sunday, May 17 will (hopefully) be our first races of the season. First start at 1:45 pm. These are non-scoring races, intended to give boat owners an opportunity to get their boats in the water and untangle their sheets and sails for a new season of racing.
Memorial Day Regatta: We will hold races at the regular times for Memorial Day weekend. First start at 1:00 on Saturday, with two races to follow. First start at 1:45 on Sunday, with one race to follow.
In recognition of the ongoing COVID-19 risk and protection mandates, there will be no club picnic on Saturday and no club business meeting held. Members that choose to visit the clubhouse or shelterhouse before or after racing must observe appropriate social distancing as required by the ODH guidelines in place. As mentioned above, the kitchen restrictions are in place for this weekend and until further notice.
The Hornich club championship is being moved to the backup date of July 5.
Race duty assignments are being carefully adjusted by PRC Bruce Kitchen. Our vessels and race equipment can be safely operated with no more than 2 individuals aboard each vessel. This will allow us to observe appropriate social distancing while supporting the club’s racing program. Duty assignments will be posted on the CLSA club website in the coming days.
The start of this sailing season is different from any that we have experienced before. As we implement new safety procedures for the health of our members, our goal is to again enjoy the sport that draws us together as an association. Club leadership is committed to coordinating best practices and implementing procedures that continue to keep all members safe. We respectfully ask that each of you be familiar with and observe all the recommendations by the Ohio Department of Health and the Governor’s office including:
- Observe social distancing
- Limit groups to 10 or less
- Wearing of masks (on shore) is encouraged – not only to protect yourselves but also other members around you.
As an association, CLSA encourages and trusts members to do the right thing and take care of each other. We are looking forward to feeling the thrill when the one minute horn sounds while maneuvering around the starting line!
Dan Adams and Pete Japikse
CLSA Commodore/Vice Commodore