May 13, 2020 CLSA Update
Dear CLSA friends, this communication provides updates regarding our upcoming season.
CLSA Racing Schedule
Under the current safer-at-home order from ODH, many organized events are not permitted and Ohioans are still sheltering in place. That order expires at midnight on May 29. After that expiration we anticipate our racing permit being approved.
There will be no CLSA organized races held on Sunday May 17 or on our traditional Memorial Day weekend (Saturday May 23 and Sunday May 24). Members that wish to have informal races may do so, but without using any club assets. The race committee vessel will remain grounded in the parking lot until the day before organized racing resumes.
We anticipate organized racing beginning on Sunday, May 31. Unless you hear otherwise, we look forward to enjoying sailboat racing together then.
Update to Sailing instructions
PRC Chair Bruce Kitchen has been working with several club members to introduce an alternate sailing instruction for our use this year. The goal is to create a competitive racing opportunity that minimizes dependence upon committee personnel. These instructions are modelled on successful SI’s that are being used in national venues by some of the one design fleets.
The new course is a windward leeward course with a downwind finish. This is a gated course that includes a windward offset. The committee boat will be positioned below and to the side of the gate. Starts will be on the port side of the committee boat and finishes will be on the starboard side of the committee boat. Please refer to the detailed SI’s and course descriptions which are posted on the Club’s website.
Race committee assignments
The race committee assignments have been posted for the year. CLSA is a volunteer club, so it is the participation of members on work parties and race committees that allows us to continue to exist. We understand that in the COVID-19 era not all members are comfortable working in the vicinity of others and may have concerns about serving on race committee, even in small numbers as proposed. If you are assigned to a duty shift and are not comfortable participating, please try to find a substitute. If you are not able to find a substitute, notify the PRO of the day that you are unavailable to participate. If you are unable to serve, we ask that you respect your fellow members by not racing in that event.
As a club we are not issuing blanket exceptions for groups of our members. We ask that you make the best decision for yourself, while being mindful that it is the participation of our members that allows us to function.
Fleet regattas
After much deliberation with the goal of considering the varied needs and wishes of all our members, the board has discussed out of town visitors. Any visitors to the club are required to abide by travel restrictions in Ohio and also in the domicile they are traveling from. All club policies, including the kitchen closure, required sanitizing and social distancing will remain in place.
Fleets hosting regattas should clean and sanitize the club house and bathrooms on Saturday evening when they have a two day regatta.
Junior training program
Our members that comprise the staff of CLSA’s junior sailing program have done much research. With the guidance of US Sailing as well as other sailing programs around the country they have proposed a modified training program for this year. A weekday / daily program has been proposed that limits attendees to small groups, eliminates food preparation needs, and follows appropriate risk protocols. The CLSA board has reviewed their preparations and approved this plan, and you will see it scheduled on our events calendar beginning in June.
CLSA Kitchen and facilities
The kitchen remains closed and other precautions implemented at our facilities will remain in place until further notice. With the expiration of the current ODH safer-at-home orders we will continue to monitor guidance from ODH, CDC and the governor’s office. Club policies currently in place will be adjusted as appropriate.
Sanitizer has been provided at the club and is located in the kitchen and the clubhouse bathrooms. Please spray this sanitizer on surfaces that you have used, including picnic tables. This sanitizer should not be wiped off – it needs to air dry to be effective.
Stay safe everyone, be well and think nice weather!
Dan Adams and Pete Japikse
CLSA Commodore/Vice Commodore