Tacked On From PA white water FB page. These comments enhance ACA and CDC guidelines. j
Read full post below for a peak into the future: excellent COVID-19 based whitewater paddling & shuttling tips from New Zealand. They are moving to stage 2 where limited community interaction is permitted. Logging the names of those paddling together and checking in to learn of infection signs 4-10 days later are great ideas for everyone. New Zealand did an excellent job of managing the crisis: they are far ahead of the US in terms of infection rates.
Since the US rates are still climbing in many areas, it would be wise to continue to bike shuttle, pickup-bed shuttle, vehicle shuttle only with those in your own household, and wear masks around others.
Image may contain: water and outdoor, possible text that says ‘Kayaking in Level 2 Alert Play it safe 2. Don’t rush this 3. Be kind Unite against COVID-19 e
Mo ngă awa te aroha, he waiaroha For the love of rivers’
Nonprofit Organization
Whitewater NZ
May 11 at 12:41 AM
On Thursday (14th May) NZ will move into Level 2 Pandemic Alert. Whilst some lucky paddlers were able to get a whitewater fix during the Level 3 Alert over the past couple of weeks, for most of us the shift to Level 2 is likely to be our first chance to get back out on the water.
There is still a risk of community transmission of the virus, which means that we can’t simply go back to paddling as usual. So, please don’t rush into this, play it safe and follow these guidelines for whitewater paddling during the Level 2 Alert:
1. Transmission of the virus is most likely whilst travelling in a vehicle, so plan this carefully. Here are some things you can do to reduce the transmission risk while driving shuttles and driving to / from a river trip:
✅Drive to and from the river by yourself or create an expanded “shuttle bubble”, and stick to this grouping whilst driving (and on the river, if possible)
✅ Drive with windows open
✅ Use good personal hygiene whilst sharing a car
2. Stay well within your skill level to reduce the likelihood of needing emergency services.
3. Paddle in small groups and try to keep your group exclusive
4. Keep a record of who you paddle with
5. Use physical distancing wherever possible, particularly at the put-in and take-out, where other people may be present
6. Avoid touching each other’s gear, and if this is not possible, disinfect or use hand sanitiser as quickly as possible
7. Overnight trips are OK as long as 1m physical distancing is maintained
8. If you are sick, have any respiratory, cold or flu-like symptoms, do not go paddling
♣︎♣︎♣︎ Advice for paddlers ♣︎♣︎♣︎:
Small public gatherings are allowed at Level 2, so club activities can take place. However, please follow the rules above and create a documented safety plan including the following points:
1. Use Sport New Zealand’s Touch Free Contact Register to record all group participants in club activities.
2. Participants should have no respiratory symptoms and should have had no contact with others with respiratory symptoms in the two weeks prior to the trip
3. Four days after the trip, the paddlers should check with all trip participants for any respiratory symptoms and notify everybody on the trip if symptoms are observed.
4. Disinfect any shared equipment in the same way as you would to prevent the spread of COVID
Please be mindful that for many of us, we’ve not been out on the water for a while, so we may be out of practice. That means taking extra precautions around rescue provisions and general river safety.
Use your common sense – don’t rush into this, play it safe and be kind!
