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Dragon Zone Paddling Club Stage 1 reopening tentatively scheduled for June 1 

VANCOUVER, BC – May 15, 2020 – 12:30 PM – Dragon Boat BC’s paddling club, Dragon Zone Paddling Club is releasing plans to ensure the safety of paddlers, staff, and volunteers as part of a tentative partial reopening of the Club’s docks and single-person boat use, beginning June 1, 2020. This reopening is contingent on the continued current trajectory of the pandemic’s development, obtaining required supplies for reopening, and ensuring that our plans are in continued compliance with any new public health guidelines or updates.

“We have reviewed the ongoing guidance from the Provincial Health Officer, BC’s Restart Plan, examples from other regions around the world, and common-sense measures as we developed our partial reopening plan,” says Alexis Gall, General Manager, Dragon Boat BC. “While there are still significant parts of our normal operations which will be unavailable in Stage 1 of our reopening, we recognize that many paddlers will wish to begin paddling again as part of a healthy lifestyle and we hope to be able to add additional operations as soon as safe to do so.”

During stage 1 of the Club’s reopening plan, the following services will be offered:

• OC-1 Membership Use (Reservations required via booking sheet)
• Kayak Rentals (Reservations required via register.dragonboatbc.ca)
• Kayak Membership Use (Reservations required via info@dragonboatbc.ca)
• Select individual boat Intro programs (dates TBA)

During this time, all slots are a maximum of 55 minutes long to allow staff enough time to sanitize boats between use.

As part of the reopening plan, the following safety measures in line with BC’s Restart Plan, WorkSafeBC guidelines, guidelines issued by NSOs, provincial health authorities, and other public health officials will be taken:

General Notes

• Anyone experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, or is a confirmed contact of someone with COVID-19, or who has travelled out of Canada in the last 14 days will not be allowed on the docks or to paddle and should be in self-isolation/quarantine.
• Hand sanitizers will be available for use for paddlers and staff (permanent change).
• High touch surfaces will be disinfected on a regular basis (permanent change).
• Immunocompromised individuals are not encouraged to paddle at this time. 
• Hours of operation are modified to 11:00 AM-7:00 PM daily, and all boat use must be reserved 1 day ahead of time. No paddling or dock access is permitted outside of these hours at this time.
• No washrooms, bag storage, paddle storage, or lockers are available at this time.
• Sheds are not open to users at this time.
• Docks will be operating on a one-way system- enter only through the East gate, and exit only through the West gate.

Reservations and Check In

• All users wishing to use boats must reserve ahead of time through the methods indicated above. 
• Payments must be completed online, and will not be taken at check in.
• Any waivers should be completed ahead of time, and scanned and emailed in ahead of time wherever possible.
• Staff and volunteers will be wearing masks. Paddlers should be wearing masks that cover their mouth and nose while in line, on the docks, and whenever within 2 metres of another boat.
• Social distancing measures will be in effect when lining up to check in.
• Plexiglass barriers will separate paddlers and staff.

Loading into Boats and Dock Procedures

• Boats and equipment will be sanitized between users. Paddlers with their own paddles and approved PFDs should use their own equipment. We are working on a system for members to put down a deposit and keep a Dragon Zone PFD and/or paddle for the duration of COVID-19 measures. 
• A plan will be shared next week for anyone with personal items on the docks to remove them ahead of our planned reopening.
• All paddlers, staff, and volunteers outside on the docks will be required to wear masks.
• Marks and lines will be painted to ensure at least 2 metres social distancing.
• Reservation slots will be staggered to minimize the number of individuals on the docks at any one time.

As the situation develops, the Club will review and modify these measures to ensure they continue to follow best practices as advised by public health officials. Individuals with questions are advised to contact the Club at info@dragonboatbc.ca.

The Club recognizes and thanks the first responders and essential workers who have served the community and helped protect our community against the brunt of COVID-19. During the closure period, the Club has partnered with community organizations to offer support, help coordinate action, and provide assistance within its capacity.

The Club notes the importance of continuing the fight against COVID-19 as British Columbia begins to reopen. For links to information on mitigating the risk of spreading COVID-19, emergency government funding measures, and ways to contribute to the fight against COVID-19, please visit dragonboatbc.ca/covid19. 

About the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society
Community, culture and competition, all in one boat. The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society (dba Dragon Boat BC) is the non-profit operator of North America’s flagship dragon boat festival – the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival, and runs Dragon Zone Paddling Club – Canada’s largest paddling club. Through their All Access and youth programs, supported by the Milton K. Wong Legacy Project, the Society makes sport accessible regardless of barriers to participation.

Media Contact
Dragon Boat BC Main Office
Email: info@dragonboatbc.ca
Please note that the office remains closed, and is only able to take questions via email.

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