COVID-19

Club Operations 2021/2022 Season

The Club has recently reviewed its health and safety obligations to members and the people we provide services to in the light of the current COVID-19 situation. This has included consideration of the vaccination mandates recently announced for the health and education sectors – which are highly relevant to the activities we undertake.

The policies outlined below are the outcome of that review. These policies reflect current Alert Level settings at Whangamata, and take into account Government and SLSNZ guidance. As circumstances change these policies will be reviewed and updated. Specific policies will also be developed for managing events that the Club usually runs over summer – assuming they can be run. These Polices will be supplemented by specific implementation processes and procedures developed by the relevant Operational Committees.

The Polices set-out the Club’s expectations on vaccinations for key personnel. Once the Club’s risk assessment of key roles is finalised, these expectations will most likely become firm requirements.

Impacts on Labour Weekend

Based on our COVID 19 Operational Polices:

  • Patrols will occur over Labour Weekend (manned by Level 2 located guards) and the lifeguard re-fresher will be run for any Level 2 located guards). For patrols, there will be hygiene; social distancing and mask (limited) requirements in place.
  • SLSNZ Eastern Region has confirmed that the Lifeguard Award exam can still take place for Level 2 located candidates.
  • There will be no Junior Surf over Labour Weekend
  • Surf Sport training sessions can occur for senior and Oceans athletes located in Level 2. There will be hygiene and social distancing mechanisms in place.

Covid-19 Operational Policies Whangamata at Alert Level 2

Lifeguarding

  • This is our core activity for the beach-going community. We intend to run week-end volunteer patrols (and our weekday Regional Guard program during the summer peak) across the season (Labour Weekend-Easter).
  • Due to the nature of their role, the expectation is that all patrolling lifeguards will have had their two COVID-19 vaccines by the commencement of our peak summer season (13th December 2021). This will require a first dose on or before 1st November (reflecting the timeline for health worker sector vaccinations).
  • Week-end patrols will be run by guards from locations that can self-travel to Whangamata without crossing a COVID Alert Level Boundaries. These may be observational/roaming patrols.
  • The Club is facilitating the relocation of some guards from outside Level 2 to support these” shoulder season” patrols; other Club programs; and lifeguard development planning. Pre-relocation vaccination and testing criteria will apply to these re-locating guards. A similar approach will be taken to getting our Regional Guard team to Whangamata.
  • Where public safety considerations necessitate additional guards to be sourced from behind Alert Level Boundaries (e.g. as beach use increases) this will be assessed by the Club on a case-by-case basis. That assessment will involve pre-travel vaccination and testing requirements.
  • Lifeguard education will also continue for those guards that can self-travel to Whangamata without crossing a COVID Alert Level Boundaries. Where that education is essential to the preparedness of the Club to effectively patrol (and candidates from behind Alert Level Boundaries are necessary participants), this will be assessed by the Club on a case-by-case basis. That assessment will involve pre-travel vaccination and testing requirements.
  • Accommodation use will be limited to (a specific number of) patrolling members with no other accommodation options.

Junior Surf/Gear shop

  • Junior surf participants are a vulnerable community.
  • Due to the nature of their role (being akin to teachers), the expectation is that all Junior Surf coaches and volunteer assistants (including parents, and those with children under 7 who must attend sessions with their child) have had their two COVID-19 vaccines delivered before they can facilitate Junior Surf sessions.
  • Because of the multiple age profiles of the junior surf participant community and the delivery models for the program, there are a number of implementation matters to carefully work through before the Program can commence. For these reasons, the commencement of Junior Surf will be postponed until Sunday the 12th of December based on the Club’s current assessment of the situation.

Surf Sports

  • Due to the nature of their role, the expectation is that all Surf Sport coaches (and any dedicated parent assistants) have had their two COVID-19 vaccines delivered before they can facilitate training sessions.
  • Surf Sport training sessions (self-directed and coached) can occur for athletes who can attend Whangamata without crossing a COVID Alert Level Boundary (with no gear sharing and social distancing mechanisms in place).

Club facilities

  • QR registration (or equivalent) required for entry.
  • The bar will not be open until 27 December at the earliest. Club premises may be used for lifeguard patrol members; education; Club administration and meetings of Operational Committees, program participants, etc. Level 2 private “gathering” social distancing restrictions will apply. Preference is for outdoor gatherings where possible.
  • The club shop will not be open until 11 December.
  • Membership subs can be paid online at www.whangamatasurf.co.nz/membership/
  • Club branded wardrobe can be purchased online at www.whangamatasurf.konstruct.com/
  • For any other uniform or essential purchases please contact admin@whangamatasurf.co.nz
  • Any questions please contact club manager Andrea Paynter on manager@whangamatasurf.co.nz in the first instance.