Hello everyone,

The Board thanks everyone for their feedback and thoughts regarding our current COVID-19 Policies as shared in TeamApp on May 17. With June 3rd almost a week away, we have created a flexible plan for practice in the boats that is able to change as we monitor state transmission rates and other factors. Your Board of Directors has now approved dragon boating-specific policies that state:

+ Club member-athletes will be asked if they meet the COVID-19 self-screening criteria regarding symptoms or exposure (see full policy in Documents for specific language) upon arrival at dragon boat practices. If the answer to either question is yes, they will not be permitted to join their boat. If the answer is no, they will have their temperature taken. If the temperature is <100.4F, they will be permitted to paddle. If their temperature is ≥ 100.4F, they will not be permitted to paddle.
+ We will minimize shared equipment
+ + Paddles will be checked out to members/athletes for the season for those who need them.
+ + Life jackets available to borrow are limited. The Minnesota Dragon Boat Club strongly recommends that members/athletes provide their own PFD.
+ Minnesota Dragon Boat Club may run practices with a minimum of five paddlers with a steer and a maximum based on current local transmission rates and other safety considerations for each boat;
+ Masks are required while loading and unloading the dragon boat and whenever physical distance is unable to be maintained
+ Members/athletes on the dragon boat may remove their mask during active practice, but are encouraged to continue wearing them
+ Minnesota Dragon Boat Club shared equipment will be sanitized before and after practice
+ Members/athletes should provide their own hand sanitizer for use before and after using any shared equipment

We want everyone to have a comfortable and safe experience on and off-shore, while giving an equal opportunity to all members/athletes to participate in the boat. In conjunction with the above policies, the following are additions to ensure an inclusive experience to all members/athletes that keep our mission objectives of compassion and community in mind:

Minnesota Dragon Boat Club will provide two 20-person boats for practices:
+ One boat will require all club member-athletes on the dragon boat to be fully vaccinated, at least 2 weeks after 2nd dose of a series of 2, or 2 weeks after a single dose vaccine. Club member-athletes will need to present a completed vaccine card to the Club Chair or Secretary to be added to the active dragon boating roster for this limited access boat;
+ One boat will be open to all club member-athletes regardless of vaccination status. By default, all club member-athletes will be added to this roster and moved to the limited boat roster as requested by the individual member-athlete and meeting the vaccine criteria;
+ Club member-athletes may only paddle in their regularly rostered boat.
+ On-water start times for the two boats will be slightly staggered to promote physical distancing and adequate spacing for lining up and loading the boats. When possible, the boats will meet on the water for shared core coaching and training;

We intend to start the season with these policies, knowing that we will be reviewing them as we go. We may use these policies all summer or we may make adjustments based on everyone’s feedback and other COVID-related factors. Thanks for your flexibility and understanding.

As we return to the lake this year, we ask that everyone remains respectful of their fellow members, and to plan ahead for practices on the water. We understand that some may feel unsure about paddling in the boat this year and we hope these new policies help ease any possible uncertainties.

You can find links to our full COVID-19 Return to Activities Preparedness Plan and Data Management Plan in the Documents section of TeamApp. Please continue to share your comments and suggestions to your Board of Directors.