Otters and  Sailing for 2020

Firstly, greetings to all, despite the no Otter sailing to date (who’d have thought that the  1^st time out at the Start of Season would be our last!)  the Otter Management Committee have been meeting virtually on a regular basis to discuss all things Otters,  apart from just the fun Loo Roll challenge, and the Virtual Sailing Championships  earlier in Lockdown.  While sailing hasn’t been possible we have importantly been making sure that the ribs are all maintained, we’ve recently taken delivery  of the two new launching rib trollies, the Otter’s Laser now has a new cover, we’ve also touched based with Tom the Pond owner, and while he has said  no sailing will be allowed on the pond and therefore no charge, he is letting us keep the container with our equipment up there, so it was decided we would take the lead and support him with a donation, so next year he’ll be there for us, as we’re in this together.

This then brings me to Otter Week 2020, Mary Ball brilliantly put together a 14 page Risk Assessment form as is the norm for Otter Week, and it became apparent very quickly that with Social Distancing Otter Week was just not going to be an ‘Otter Week’ as we all know and love, so the difficult but ultimately easy decision based on the form and common sense has meant that we are very sadly cancelling Otter Week 2020.

But……we are very much in the mode of lets get sailing when we can under the  Government Guide/Rya and the RCYC guide lines, the Club is planning to open up tentatively on July 4^th  albeit with a limited offering, as the Social Distancing restricts not only on land activities but water too,  making launching and recovery of ribs and all the dinghies unachievable, and that’s before we discuss rigging/training/washing boats down/changing rooms etc.  Importantly as a Club both the RCYC and the Otters not only do we have to be responsible, but also have to be seen to be responsible too.

The initial thoughts apart from starting on the Saturdays when Social Distancing allows, is to consider some Otter sailing if possible by then during the Burnham Week w/e and are really wanting to try and host a 3 day event on the last w/e of half term in October, involving all the Junior sections on the river, so creating something different to mark an extra ordinary season in what would have been the Otter’s 90^th year.

Finally, the good news, Martha  our Commodore and her Flag Officers Ella, James, Millie, and Lizzie are very keen to go ahead with the Otter Week T-Shirt, to mark the Week. The Otters are subsiding the T-Shirt, and I really encourage all Otters to purchase one, please see the web-collect form.

Please do remember that ‘family sailing’ is allowed, and encouraged, but always check the weather forecast and make sure any activity on the water is within your limits.

If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact me

In the meantime stay safe, and enjoy the sunshine

Justin Waples

Otter Chairman