WITH the reopening of gyms and leisure centres in the area and nationally, there are hopes Stratford Boat Club’s own gym will be opening imminently once arrangements are made for increased hygiene and social distancing protocols.
The ergos which had been lent out for home exercising during lockdown have now been returned and sanitised to hopefully make the transition to a more fuller opening of the club’s facilities slightly faster.
Now the provision for the junior squads to get back on to the water has been implemented, the club’s boat booking system which regulates how many athletes are at the club at any one time – and therefore guards against any possibility of crowding – will be expanded by increasing the hours when the club is being used.
British Rowing, the governing body for the sport, has also issued guidance on how clubs can shortly get back to crew rowing rather than athletes having to scull only in singles.
This has been done in conjunction with advice and the approval of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and this slow return to crew rowing is likely to happen in stages during August.
Members are also rigorously following the hygiene protocols and sanitising the touch points on their boats, as well as washing the oar handles and equipment, whilst safety launch drivers wear full PPE when on duty.