Swanage Regatta. 3rd July, 2021.

At last the Hant & Dorset Season in underway - with Swanage Regatta taking place on Saturday, 3rd July, 2021.

Once again, on behalf of the Association can I thank you all for the part you played in what I believe was, in the circumstances, a really successful regatta. Its popularity remains as high as ever - in spite of making it a fours only Regatta - according to my records we had 97 entries! 

The Covid-19 precautions and procedures we put in place seemed to work reasonably well - although Social distancing was something of a challenge! A special thank-you to Sue who put in an enormous amount of work in the days before the regatta to put all these procedures in place and liaised extensively with Swanage Town Council to agree everything and make sure it all came together on the day. Now she has to do it all again for Poole!

It was to the great credit of the Race Officials and the competitors the regatta started on time and finished more or less on time - and presenting the prizes after each event meant we all escaped from the Regatta at a reasonable time - and maybe we should consider this the way forward. The condition held up well - although we had bouts of rain throughout the day. But it was calm in the bay - a little rougher by the buoys. There were a few minor protests but no re-rows. All the volunteers did their jobs exceptionally and the hire services all performed to expectations - Marshes for the Umpires Boat, First Response for the First Aid Cover and Pier Watersports for the additional safety coverage. 

Also we did not have a repeat of some of the previous years issues -  and the tidy-up and litter clearance - policed by Southsea worked well - and I cant believe there is any possibility of a repeat of the complaint received a few years ago  - I think the beach was clearer when we left than when we arrived? The changes that we put in place, at Swanage Town Councils insistence regarding vehicle and trailer movement, policed by Coalporters after Southampton had to withdraw, appeared to work well. Another arguably less significant issue that needs addressing is the clash of radio channels with the local yacht club and moored boats on the course - although this was less of a problem this year.

The risk of thanking Clubs and individuals is that I will miss someone - but here goes - the Race Officials, Controllers and Commentators of course - including Assistant Jo Fucio who did a great job of boat marshaling - helping to keep the regatta on time; BTC for the PA system; Denny Woodford for the Trophies; Sue for contact with Swanage Council - and so much more - plus Alison and Clare from Poole at Regatta control; Poole for the Control Tent, the Tables and chairs. Christchurch and Lymington and Pete Locke for safety boats; Pete Staddon from Christchurch for laying the course - with Pete Lock's - help plus Pete for all the other things he does - Radios, Boat Marshal, receiving and sorting out the cups etc... etc..; Tim Bull - for the program and more; Ryde & Josie for the Officials lunches; Coalporters for manning the gate; Itchen/Gary for checking and bringing the safety kits and officials Life Jackets; Kevin and Sharon from Neaves for storing the buoys and weights and  a special thank you to Kevin for commentating all day and Southsea for policing and undertaking the litter clear-up. I will have missed someone - sorry!

I am not aware of any significant safety issues - with no BR Incident Reports raised to my knowledge. There were a number of fairly minor incidents treated by the First Aiders in attendance. I have asked them for a report on these and any other incidents they treated so I can summarise the safety incidents.

As always the Association welcomes any constructive criticism or suggestions for improvement. 

If any of you have any outstanding expenses/invoices please let me or Sue Sothcott know and we will settle these – but I know most of the individuals/clubs involved – absorb or donate their costs relating to the regatta for which I offer the further thanks of the Association.

I hope I can rely on you all again next year.

With the thanks of the Association once again.

Steve Bull, H&DARA & Swanage Regatta.

Update on regatta calendar 2021.

Update on regatta calendar 2021.

We are delighted to inform H&D clubs and members that Swanage Town Council have approved for Swanage Regatta to take place on Saturday 3rd July. This event will be fours events only and there will be a restriction on the number of boats clubs can bring which will be confirmed once entries are confirmed. 

Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of Shanklin and Lymington clubs, the rescheduled Shanklin and Milford-on-Sea Regatta's will not be able to take place.

The updated regatta calendar will be available shortly on the H&D website but the season will officially commence on Saturday 3rd July.

Covid-19 Lateral Flow Testing.

To all H&D Club Committees & Captains

Many of you will have heard about - or indeed already take part in - lateral flow testing to check for a presence of Covid-19. Lateral flow testing is a quick and easy way for you to check to see if a trace of the Covid-19 virus is present in you in order to protect your family, friends, colleagues and fellow club members. Lateral flow tests are free and can be picked up from local test centres or pharmacies or they can be ordered online and delivered to your home.

As an Association, the H&D welcomes any means in which our members and athletes can train and compete safe in the knowledge that they are not going to potentially spread Covid-19 to their fellow athletes and supporters. We therefore, highly recommend clubs looking into advocating regular lateral flow testing to its members and, by providing information, clubs can continue the excellent work which they have been undertaking in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of their members and wider local community.

We have outlined some basic information on lateral flow testing which may be helpful for messaging out to members and have also provided a poster which may be useful for your club facilities. 

Whilst lateral flow testing is not mandatory for any organisation; as an association; we are fully committed to providing our members and clubs with information and advice on the best practise to keep our members and their communities safe whilst helping ensure that our clubs and sport remain open and active.

A copy of the letter sent to Clubs regarding this plus a poster and Information on Lateral Flow tests can be downloaded from the H&D Web Site at - www.hdara.co.uk - go to the Downloads Tab - and the information is at the top of the page.

Kind regards

Penny Budd - Association Secretary.

H&D ARA Rules of Racing.

The H&D ARA Rules of Racing have been updated on the H&D Web site - at hdara.co.uk - in line with the changes agreed at the Associations AGM of 27th March, 2021.

These can be downloaded in pdf format from the H&D ARA Web site. Go to the Rules Tab and scroll down to the relevant section. Rules amendment at the AGM of 27th March, 2021 effected the following areas - Regatta Rules, Rules for Boat Racing, Status Rules, Championship Event Rules and Championship Safety Rules - and these have all been updated.

Cancellation of Ryde Rowing Clubs Annual Regatta. Scheduled for Saturday, 15th May, 2021.

It has become apparent that due to the on-going Government Covid-19 restrictions and guidance from our governing body - British Rowing - it will not be possible to go ahead with Ryde Rowing Clubs Annual Hants & Dorset ARA Championship Regatta on the planned date of Saturday, 15th May - a problem that has been further compounded by the on-going activities of Southern Water investigating and seeking to repair the sink hole that appeared near the Clubhouse and has caused much disruption in the area around the Clubhouse and along the seafront where the regatta takes place.

Therefore I must advise you that the Ryde R. C. Regatta will not now take place on Saturday, 15th May as scheduled.

The Club is actively pursuing alternative dates later in the summer when the Government Covid-19 regulation may be relaxed and British Rowing gives approval for the resumption of competitions. However the other Hants & Dorset ARA fixtures, the summer season and the on-going activities of Southern Water round the Clubhouse,  and along the seafront may well make this impossible forcing us to cancel the Regatta for the 2nd year running following the cancellation of last years event due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

One possible alternative date we are considering is  Saturday, 7th August.  

 

Steve Bull.

Regatta Secretary.