Let’s get back to sailing, safely

Tom Hubbell, a physician in family medicine and past president of US Sailing, is an active Thistle Class competitor based in central Ohio. He’s eager to hook up his trailer hitch this season, but also recognizes where the country is with COVID-19. In his current role as Thistle Class President, he shares the message for Class members:

Recommendations from Thistle Class Association Executive Committee vision of the future, assuming there is not a stricter federal, state, or local ruling:

• February/March: Sail at the home club, stay distant from people on shore and wear a mask.
• April/May: Consider holding “S.A.D.” regattas, – masked, Socially-Appropriate- Distanced on shore, one day events, no food or beverage service, consider two-up teams as a rule, and discourage travel from afar.
• June/July: It may be possible to hold larger events, but mask wearing and no contact rules are likely to still be with us; at least plan it that way. Consider a requirement for either negative testing or vaccination.
• August: We are now planning to have the Nationals.

Whatever your sailing and regatta plans, please follow the letter of the law about the pandemic and any advice from public health experts, including getting the vaccine when it’s available. Let’s get back to sailing and seeing our sailing friends, safely.