COVID-19 Updates

Sanctioned/Approved Activity
COVID-19 Updates
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RCA Sanctioned Activity During the Coronavirus Pandemic 

Updated: July 8, 2021

RCA has sanctioned on-water and indoor activity as described below. In some areas, provincial and local guidelines have more restrictive limitations and it is essential that member organizations only offer programming that is also allowed within those restrictions.

On-water rowing activity for club programs for experienced and new rowers in 1X, 2X/-, 4X/4+/4- and 8+ is considered sanctioned activity by RCA.

Other types of RCA sanctioned activity include:

Come Try Events
Rowing Tours

Expectations for Group Indoor Activity remain in place

Event sanction will be granted for outdoor events delivered July 23 and onwards where local and provincial restrictions allow. Please see here for details and expectations.

RCA Sanctioned Activity by Province
(where possible with local regulations in place)

Province	Approved Sanctioned Activity	Additional Information	Effective Date
BC	1X, 2X/-, 4X/4+/4- and 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing	Contact Rowing BC for more information regarding provincial requirements	May 26, 2021
AB	1X, 2X/-, 4X/4+/4- and 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing	Contact Alberta Rowing Association for more information regarding provincial requirements	April 27, 2021
SK	1X, 2X/-, 4X/4+/4- and 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing who are contained to the same group within a cohort	GROUP: A defined number of individuals who have regular contact with each other within 2m. The group should only include the same individuals who regularly train together and limit contact to this small group of individuals (example: crew(s)) COHORT: A defined number of individuals who interact with each other within the rowing environment while maintaining physical distancing of 2m at minimum. The cohort should only include the same individuals. Cohorts may have multiple groups (example: club programs)	September 28, 2020
MB	1X, 2X/-, 4X/4+/4- and 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing	Maximum group gathering limit not to exceed 25.	July 6, 2021
ON	1X, 2X/-, 4X/4+/4- and 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing	Contact Row Ontario for more information regarding provincial requirements	June 22, 2021
QC	1X, 2X/- when at red and orange levels; 2X/-, 4X/4+/4- and 8+ when at yellow and green levels	Contact Aviron Quebec for more information regarding provincial requirements
NB	1X, 2X/-, 4X/4+/4- and 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing		March 23, 2021
NS	1X, 2X/-, 4X/4+/4- and 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing		September 14, 2020
PEI	1X, 2X/-, 4X/4+/4- and 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing	Contact Rowing PEI for more information regarding provincial requirements	June 7, 2021
NL	1X, 2X/-, 4X/4+/4- and 8+ for experienced and those new to rowing

Additional Information and Considerations

Clubs must have a completed RCA Risk Assessment and Mitigation Checklist tool on record, however they are NOT required to update it with provincial specific lifting of RCA restrictions on sanctioned activity. Clubs must update their own protocols to reflect any new changes.
Clubs should ensure that refund policies are clearly communicated in all advertisements for new programming. RCA fees will be refunded for programs that are cancelled prior to their start date due to COVID-19.
Clubs should continue to offer dedicated “safe” training time for High Risk individuals as outlined in the RCA Risk Assessment and Mitigation Checklist tool.
RCA is the authoritative body for what is considered RCA sanctioned activity however clubs must also abide by their local, provincial and federal public health guidelines when making decisions and assessments related to the programming they offer.
RCA encourages our clubs to continue applying diligence in your planning. Clubs are not obligated to offer additional programming beyond their current capacity and we expect participants to support the decisions of club leaders.

Contact RCA (tdillon@rowingcanada.org and jfitzpatrick@rowingcanada.org) and your PRA immediately regarding any of the following:

An individual at your club has a positive COVID-19 test
An individual at your club has been advised by Public Health to quarantine or be tested as they have been in close contact with an individual who has a positive COVID-19 test or confirmed COVID-19 illness.

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak rapidly evolves in Canada, we are all now facing significant and unique challenges. These are exceptionally difficult times and our number one priority is the health and well-being of our rowing community.

Working with RCA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mike Wilkinson and informed by the Canadian Sport Medicine Advisory Committee, we continue to closely monitor the situation. We encourage our member organizations to remain informed through regular updates from health authorities and other governing agencies within their jurisdiction.

The RCA office, located in the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (PISE), is currently closed. Staff are working remotely and are accessible via email and phone.

We are updating our online events listing as regattas, workshops, and special events are cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19. Please refer to our Events page for more information.

RCA Updates

September 14, 2021 – Return to Rowing #7 (Vaccine Requirements)
July 8, 2021 – Return to Events
October 23, 2020 – Return to Rowing #6 (Group Indoor Activity)
September 11, 2020 – Return to Rowing #5
September 4, 2020 – Return to Rowing #4

July 31, 2020 – Indoor Activity/Use or Ergometers
RCA permits the use of ergometers outdoors with appropriate spacing in placing (at minimum 2m). RCA permits the use of ergometers indoors for individual use only. Indoor group erg training is not advised.

As some re-opening phases across Canada will now allow indoor activity, we strongly advise that clubs avoid the use of ergometers indoors for group training until the risks are further evaluated. RCA will continue to provide updates and recommendations based on the medical advice of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mike Wilkinson.

July 10, 2020 – 2020 National Rowing Championships and Canada Cup Cancelled
July 9, 2020 – Return to Rowing #3
June 26, 2020 – Return to Rowing #2
May 15, 2020 – Return to Rowing #1
April 29, 2020 – 2020 Cascadia RCA Masters Championships Cancelled
April 16, 2020 – Member Update
April 9, 2020 – International Event Cancellations
April 2, 2020 – Member Update and Support
March 23, 2020 – Statement of Support
March 17, 2020 – Guidance for RCA Member Organizations
March 10, 2020