Status of Sailing in New Zealand

New Zealand has flattened the curve of novel coronavirus cases after two weeks of lockdown, and as the nation now prepares to squash the outbreak, Yachting New Zealand chief executive David Abercombie provides this update:

(April 8, 2020) – Like many people, I’m encouraged by the progress this country is making in tackling COVID-19 but now is not the time to take our foot off the pedal. The sooner we can get this thing under control, the sooner we can return to some semblance of normality. Stick to the rules, no exceptions.

Many of you will be wondering when we might be able to return to the water and when clubs can start operating again, even in a reduced capacity. This is something I am working on with the Government, Ministry of Health, and Sport New Zealand, and I hope to have some clarity around this by the end of next week.

You’ll all be familiar with the four-stage alert level system and this gives us some indication of what needs to happen before we can probably get back out on the water.

I expect these guidelines to change as we emerge from lockdown, because it’s such a fluid situation, but a return to level 2, when schools are likely to go back, might be the time we can start activities again.

Our sport is in a good position to ride out this massive disruption, given most clubs now go into hibernation in the winter anyway, and we don’t have mass gatherings of people when we do meet to go sailing. Regattas can also be tightly controlled and ways of minimizing contact can be implemented.

I appreciate this is all having a profound impact on life as we know it but, rest assured, Yachting New Zealand are determined to continue to support clubs. Clubs are the lifeblood of the sport and play a critical role in many communities so, once again, I’d like to remind everyone that retaining your membership is critical to your club’s survival. Full report.