COVID 19 Guidelines for Leaders and Instructors

Adapted (with thanks) from Paddle Canada

Date: April 10, 2022

When Planning a SKABC activity please consider the questions below:

  • Does the activity follow all current national, regional and local regulations?
  • Will you be able to follow current provincial and local safety guidelines? (This might include things like distancing measures, mask wearing, group size limits, etc.  Be sure to include all leaders and instructors when determining the size of your group.)
  • Will the area(s) you are planning to visit and the facilities you are planning to use be open to the public?  (Consider things like parks, marinas, boat launches, etc.)
  • Will your group be welcome where you intend to go?  (This is a particularly important consideration if you plan to visit remote areas and/or indigenous communities.)  If it might be appropriate or necessary, have you asked for permission?
  • Are you confident that the activity can be run in a manner that minimizes exposure to, and transmission of, COVID-19?

Other things to consider:

  • If you have led this activity in the past, or a similar one, you may need to add to your trip plan or revise parts of it.  Think about how COVID-19 precautions might affect things such as group size, leader/participant ratios, pre-trip meetings, equipment checks, transportation to and from the event site, etc.  Also consider whether you need to revise or add to plans for responding to emergencies, including rendering first aid.
  • Realize that emergencies may arise where people have to work in close physical proximity to assist each other.  Consider discussing with your group whether or not you and they are willing to expose yourselves to the associated risks, and, if so, what extra precautions you might be able to take to minimize these risks.

On the Day of the Event:

  • Depending on current provincial guidelines, wearing a mask while on land may or may not be required. However, please note that wearing a mask while on the water can be a safety hazard and is not encouraged.
  • If people choose to carpool, consider wearing masks in the car.

After the event:

  • If any participants disclose that they experienced symptoms of COVID-19 during the trip or within the next few days, please notify the other participants that “they may have been exposed to COVID-19 during the trip”.  (You need not, and should not, identify the individual, or individuals, involved.)

If you have any questions, or suggestions for improvements to these guidelines, please contact exec@skabc.org.

Safe paddling!