Okoboji Sailing Center
Guidelines – 2021 Summer Programming
- The Okoboji Sailing Center has continued to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Okoboji Yacht Club Sailing School (OYCSS) Board of Directors will continue to work to keep our staff and students safe in 2021. We will adhere to safety recommendations to ensure operations are undertaken consistently within the applicable guidelines and requirements set forth by the State of Iowa and the CDC, also working with the ILYA and US Sailing Clubs.
- There may be changes this summer. Our Board’s objective is to offer programs for our students and instructors based on teamwork, communication and enhanced safety training. We will continue to offer a safety-first approach, with creative ways to learn about sailing and water safety.
CLASS FORMAT
- Morning and afternoon Class start times and pick up times will be staggered. At drop-off, sailors will exit their parent’s vehicles dressed to sail and with sunscreen applied. Parents may be limited inside the building. We will have designated greeters for check-in and check-out.
- Social Distancing Safety Guidelines will be strictly enforced between sailors and instructors, as set out in more detail below. On-the-water, it is our intent that the entire class will be together for various drills, practice, races. etc. In the event of inclement weather and to avoid indoor class time, we will make our best efforts to announce a decision to sail or not sail, one hour prior to start time.
REGISTRATION AND POTENTIAL PARTICIPANT CAPS
- We will open registration with class sizes capped at a lower number than in previous seasons, starting with ONE sailor per sailboat and camp class sizes will range from 8-16 sailors and coaches. (This does NOT include X-Boat Racing).
- While we remain hopeful that we can admit all interested sailors, the circumstances of the pandemic may limit our ability to do so. The OSC registration website creates an automatic wait list generated after the cap is reached so you are encouraged to waitlist your child or yourself if the class is full. Hopefully we will be able to open additional spaces as the summer approaches.
REQUIRED SAFETY GUIDELINES
- We are expecting to keep food and drink to a minimum. At this time, there will be no eating in the OYC building, nor will there be common water available for students or instructors. We will make accommodations if there is a health concern, diabetes, blood sugar, etc. Water bottles must be filled prior to arrival. The restrooms will be available for limited use, cleaning of bathrooms will occur regularly. At this time, we are planning outdoor classrooms.
- Sailors and instructors will be required to wear face coverings while on land, and on-water when approaching coaches or other sailors. The OSC recommends UV-protective neck gaiters for this purpose. Gaiters will be for sale at a minimal cost. Sun protection is also important and sunscreen must be applied prior to arrival.
- Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s) must be worn when on-gounds, on-dock and on-water at all times. Students and instructors must arrive to class with their own personal U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD. No PFD sharing will be permitted.
- Boats and gear will be cleaned regularly between classes.
SELF SCREENING AND NOTIFICATION
- No student(s) or instructors(s) will be permitted to attend class if they have a fever or any symptoms associated with COVID-19.
- Participants and their guardians must self-monitor and notify the OSC Program Director immediately if the participant or any household members develop COVID-19 related symptoms. Participants and their guardians must also notify the OSC Program Director of any significant exposures to persons known to have contracted COVID-19. Every effort will be made to notify the other class participants affected by such information. We must respect everyone's health and safety.
- Strict adherence to our processes and protocols will be imperative to make this a safe summer, and this will require parents, sailors and coaches to all work together. Before any student can attend class, his/her parent or guardian must execute a COVID-19 waiver, which will be provided in advance of the class start date.
Guidelines – 2021 Summer Programming
- The Okoboji Sailing Center has continued to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Okoboji Yacht Club Sailing School (OYCSS) Board of Directors will continue to work to keep our staff and students safe in 2021. We will adhere to safety recommendations to ensure operations are undertaken consistently within the applicable guidelines and requirements set forth by the State of Iowa and the CDC, also working with the ILYA and US Sailing Clubs.
- There may be changes this summer. Our Board’s objective is to offer programs for our students and instructors based on teamwork, communication and enhanced safety training. We will continue to offer a safety-first approach, with creative ways to learn about sailing and water safety.
CLASS FORMAT
- Morning and afternoon Class start times and pick up times will be staggered. At drop-off, sailors will exit their parent’s vehicles dressed to sail and with sunscreen applied. Parents may be limited inside the building. We will have designated greeters for check-in and check-out.
- Social Distancing Safety Guidelines will be strictly enforced between sailors and instructors, as set out in more detail below. On-the-water, it is our intent that the entire class will be together for various drills, practice, races. etc. In the event of inclement weather and to avoid indoor class time, we will make our best efforts to announce a decision to sail or not sail, one hour prior to start time.
REGISTRATION AND POTENTIAL PARTICIPANT CAPS
- We will open registration with class sizes capped at a lower number than in previous seasons, starting with ONE sailor per sailboat and camp class sizes will range from 8-16 sailors and coaches. (This does NOT include X-Boat Racing).
- While we remain hopeful that we can admit all interested sailors, the circumstances of the pandemic may limit our ability to do so. The OSC registration website creates an automatic wait list generated after the cap is reached so you are encouraged to waitlist your child or yourself if the class is full. Hopefully we will be able to open additional spaces as the summer approaches.
REQUIRED SAFETY GUIDELINES
- We are expecting to keep food and drink to a minimum. At this time, there will be no eating in the OYC building, nor will there be common water available for students or instructors. We will make accommodations if there is a health concern, diabetes, blood sugar, etc. Water bottles must be filled prior to arrival. The restrooms will be available for limited use, cleaning of bathrooms will occur regularly. At this time, we are planning outdoor classrooms.
- Sailors and instructors will be required to wear face coverings while on land, and on-water when approaching coaches or other sailors. The OSC recommends UV-protective neck gaiters for this purpose. Gaiters will be for sale at a minimal cost. Sun protection is also important and sunscreen must be applied prior to arrival.
- Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s) must be worn when on-gounds, on-dock and on-water at all times. Students and instructors must arrive to class with their own personal U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD. No PFD sharing will be permitted.
- Boats and gear will be cleaned regularly between classes.
SELF SCREENING AND NOTIFICATION
- No student(s) or instructors(s) will be permitted to attend class if they have a fever or any symptoms associated with COVID-19.
- Participants and their guardians must self-monitor and notify the OSC Program Director immediately if the participant or any household members develop COVID-19 related symptoms. Participants and their guardians must also notify the OSC Program Director of any significant exposures to persons known to have contracted COVID-19. Every effort will be made to notify the other class participants affected by such information. We must respect everyone's health and safety.
- Strict adherence to our processes and protocols will be imperative to make this a safe summer, and this will require parents, sailors and coaches to all work together. Before any student can attend class, his/her parent or guardian must execute a COVID-19 waiver, which will be provided in advance of the class start date.