Slo-Mo Paddlers Covid Protocol

Parksville Golden Oldies Sports Association

SloMo Paddlers

Covid-19 Measures

RETURN TO SAFE PADDLING

As the Province of British Columbia begins cautiously opening up opportunities for outdoor activities,
guidelines are are needed to mitigate the ongoing risk of becoming infected with Covid-19. Paddling
can be a low risk activity for exposure to and for contracting COVID-19 if proper precautions are
taken. Managers of the PGOSA SlomoMo Paddlers Activity developed the following measures to
manage the risk of participants becoming exposed to the virus during paddling events. These measures
are consistent with Provincial health guidelines, were informed by guidance offered by Canoe Kayak
Canada (https://canoekayak.ca/covid-19/), and are approved by the PGOSA Board of Directors.
Activity Managers will do their best to ensure that these health guidelines are being followed.
However, it is up to individuals to understand their risks and make a decision about whether or not
to participate. All paddlers, managers and event leaders or anyone else who will be part of a paddling
event should be acutely aware of and must continuously monitor their own personal health and risk of
exposure to the virus.

DO NOT PARTICIPATE IF YOU:

 Are feeling non-specifically unwell or are sick at all.
 Are exhibiting any symptoms of the coronavirus: mild to severe respiratory illness with fever,
coughing, difficulty breathing, muscles aching, or other symptoms identifiable with COVID-19
such as a reduced sense of smell.
 Have been in contact with or think you may have been in contact with someone who has been
sick or had COVID-19 within the last 14 days.
 You are going through a period of self-isolation or quarantine for any reason.
All individuals involved in SloMo Paddlers should self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 on a daily
basis and any person showing symptoms should self-isolate, refrain from entering the paddling
environment or coming into close contact with others, and seek appropriate medical attention. If an
individual is concerned about their risk level or exposure, they should consult with a medical
professional.



GENERAL GUIDANCE

 Any individual who is at elevated risk for COVID-19 infection should take any necessary
precautions to protect themselves.
 All potential restrictions or considerations for the meeting place or launch site should be
understood by managers and event leaders (for example, if a city park is being used, or private
property).
 All participants should have their own sanitation equipment and products.
 Managers and event leaders should arrive ahead of paddlers and prepare for paddler arrival.
 Paddlers should not enter facilities (washrooms, harbour offices, concessions) except where
necessary.
 Anyone entering a facility should follow guidelines for physical distancing, limiting contact
with surfaces, and sanitation.
 Group size, including all paddlers, managers and event leaders must respect Provincial and
Municipal group size restrictions.
 Group size should be be kept to a practical minimum to reduce risk and to keep the circle of
potential contacts as small as possible.
 Always maintain two metres between all individuals before, during and after a paddling
activity.
 Caution should be taken while launching, unloading and loading boats to maintain the
appropriate physical distance.
 Ride sharing is not permitted except among household members.
 For paddlers requiring assistance with launching or disembarking, precautions should be taken
to lower risk if it is necessary to approach others closer than two metres. Wearing a mask is
advised under such circumstances.
 Paddlers should prepare and get on the water while remaining physically separated by two
metres or more.
 If a boat accommodates more than one paddler, the seats must be no closer than two metres
unless the paddlers are from the same household.
 Be aware while on the water to respect physical distance of two metres or more between boats.

EMERGENCIES AND RESCUE

 All paddlers are required to wear a Government of Canada approved PFD at all times while in
the boat, irrespective of their age or swimming ability.
 All paddlers are responsible for having safety equipment on their boat required by Transport
Canada (see the MEC website: https://www.mec.ca/en/explore/mandatory-paddling-gear).
 Responding to an incident on or off the water may cause a manager or leader to come in
physical contact with a paddler. They should always have gloves, masks and hand sanitizer
available to protect themselves and paddlers should contact become necessary.
 Paddlers who are likely to capsize and need rescuing should not be on the water or should use a
more stable boat.
 Where and when possible, paddlers should self-rescue to avoid contact with others.
 Paddlers, managers and leaders should use common sense to avoid any situation that involves
undue risk and the potential need for emergency personnel to respond, or for which avoidable
personal contact becomes necessary.
 Paddlers, managers and event leaders and PGOSA Board members should be fully informed of
the standard operating procedures developed by SloMo Paddlers and posted on the PGOSA
website and the SloMo Paddlers blog site.
 Activity managers should ensure participants are properly registered as members of PGOSA.

RESOURCES

Information about who may be at elevated risk for infection is available here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/preventionrisks.
html?topic=tilelink
The Government of Canada COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool is available here:
https://ca.thrive.health/covid19/enModified use of Club/Recreation Facilities
Information about Covid-19 status and measures in British Columbia are available here:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19