Covid-19 Update No.5 & Extension of DBV Membership

This Update provides information on the latest Restricted Activity Directions - Click Here from the Chief Health Officer as they relate to Sport and Exercise. This builds on the advice contained in DBV’s COVID Update No: 4 and the brief information provided to members in the DBV May newsletter.

Extension of membership until 31st Aug 2020

Following discussions DBV has held with AusDBF, the insurance coverage relating to dragon boating and the use of boats has been extended until the end of August. As a result of this DBV will extend all existing DBV membership (due to expire on 11:59pm 30th June) until August 31^st 2020. There will be no DBV member cost during this period.

More info from V-Insurance - Click Here

For insurance/membership to be valid post July 1^st members must be registered with a DBV dragon boat club. As a result, clubs have two options, either

1) Extend their existing membership until August 31^st at no charge which is consistent with DBV's approach or

2) Charge existing members a two-month Membership Fee. This is a decision for each club to make DBV will be reaching out to club’s Presidents with further detail. Please contact your club for further information and in turn they will be able to provide their club members with further information.

Further communication relating to 2020/2021 membership fees & structure, a new strategic plan and regatta series will be sent over the coming months.

The latest Covid-19 updates and Restrictions

As outlined in earlier updates the use of 10s and 20s dragon boats are not permitted and training/gym equipment such as paddle ergs or rowers are not to be used within boat hubs or club rooms.

The latest regulations outlined by the Victorian Chief Health Officer indicate that as from 31 May 2020 a number of approved community sport and recreation activities can resume according to specific rules – for dragon boating this will enable clubs to organise activities for up to 20 people to use single craft/TK1s, ergs and rowers, and to participate in exercise/warming up groups outside. Specifically, the rules relevant to dragon boat clubs state

• Groups of up to 20 people are permitted outdoors plus a coach/instructor or the minimum number of support staff reasonably required to run the activity. It is recommended clubs track attendance to ensure we do not exceed this number.
• Parents or other people are required to keep a reasonable distance from groups in an outdoor setting or will be included in the group of 20.
• No indoor activity – indoor physical recreation facilities must remain closed.
• Maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres wherever reasonably possible.
• Outdoor communal gyms are open. People cannot gather in groups of more than 20.
• No use of communal showers, kitchens or change rooms, however toilets can open.
• No shared equipment that touches the head or face or cannot be effectively cleaned i.e. soft materials or clothing.
• Hand hygiene, frequent environmental cleaning and disinfection, use of own equipment where possible and minimise sharing of equipment.
• Separate arrangements are in place for club houses which operate a restaurant, canteen or cafe – for clubs in these locations should be aware of restrictions.
• limit the number of people present at a time within the ‘space’ required for assembling, moving and launching/removing boats i.e. ensuring only the direct users of single craft are present and maintaining social distancing.
• where boats are to be used by a number of people, it is critical to prevent any potential spread of COVID-19. Users need to protect both themselves and the next user via a requirement to wipe down/clean single craft/ergs with soap/disinfectant before and after each session.

It is critical in this period that where clubs are active in resuming training  that they also move to appoint a person to be responsible for ‘policing’ the COVID safety arrangements. We must ensure the Covid 19 rules stipulated by government and DBV communications are strictly adhered to with clubs being responsible for ensuring these rules are enforced.

Adrian Stephens

President, DBV Board