Clubs still allowing sailing

The government rules are simple and clear. I can go dinghy sailing, locally for exercise alone or with members of my household. 

The additional granularity is being added the harbour masters, MCA, and RYA all of which are adding extra stipulations on top of what the government is requiring. 

Originally posted by Mozzy   Because, after the other sacrifices we're making, being told by the harbour board, against government guidelines, that we can't practice what is otherwise a perfect social distancing exercise local to our home. Yes, I am going to question that.

Governments (and the UK Government especially) are already treading a careful path to protect civil liberties and our sense of freedom and democracy.   Honestly, the UK is second only to Sweden in terms of 'liberal response' from European countries - many questioning it as a sufficient, suitable response if you dare venture into woke-world of lefty Twitter.

What is clear is that for a truly global crisis, government responses have been very localised - there certainly isn't some edict from Brussels like the Brexitards would have you believe would be the case - quite the contrary in fact, the EU advocate localised response.

Closing harbours in the spring might seem petty, but it's comparative to local authorities closing backcountry access in the Alps and no one is really complaining about that, or questioning it. 

No amount of personal risk assessment can take away from the fact that sailing is to all intents and purposes one form of a floating bathtub with a blanket aloft a set of broom sticks.... often without a secondary means of propulsion when it goes to hell and the crew are injured.

The fact you can literally ride this out is a blessing compared to what a lot of us in our small corner of the globe are permitted to do.  It really shouldn't be a reason for a whataboutism for a niche activity like dinghy sailing.

The RYA are pushing on the cruising side, to allow people access to their yachts and motorboats (see updated RYA Covid page), yet they're still woolly about outright insisting dinghy sailing / windsurf  / kitesurf is reasonable exercise. They also seem to be sticking to the point that sailing is additional risk and the strain on emergency services. Whereas I'd view sailing as a pretty safe sport and overall the health benefits massively outweigh the accident risk, and this becomes more true over longer periods. 

To me, small craft for exercise is an easier 'win' for the RYA than access to cruisers. Many people can use small craft locally. There are many more launching locations for users to spreader out over. And it is very clearly exercise. 

Whereas yacht sailors tend to travel further and marina's, like caravan parks do see a congregation of people using the same co-op, then same marina office, the same shore facilities. Plus it's hard to say cruising is exercise (especially motor boats). Additionally the average yacht owner is a few years older than the average kite-surfer or dinghy sailor, s we're talking about a more 'at risk' demographic. No that any this is insurmountable, but I see more issues. 

Thanks for your post, the numbers offer context. I don't think anyone could read what you wrote and not believe this is a problem that needs action. 

But, after all that, the last sentence is still the appeal of the 'fun police'. It seems to be saying, people are dying, therefore how dare you suggest you want to have fun. 

People on this forum will be suffering in ways we don't know or haven't imagined. Telling people to put up and shut for the first three weeks is fine, so long as the general action is correct. But as time goes by, and the lock-down extends, then if you want people to adhere to your made up rules then you need to show some logic, not just berate them for questioning. 

I am not disputing that action needs to be taken. I am not excusing myself from taking that action as part of the collective. But I am asking what is the logic behind it being okay for my wife and I to go for a bike ride this evening, but not a sail. I am asking what is the logic behind harbours and coastguard closing down public space when the government is asking local authorities to keep them open. 

Because, after the other sacrifices we're making, being told by the harbour board, against government guidelines, that we can't practice what is otherwise a perfect social distancing exercise local to our home. Yes, I am going to question that. 

I think we'll be able to use our clubs reasonably soon. Whether it's right for all members to use the club is another matter, but this should not prevent those that can from being able to. Current restrictions aren't stopping some cycle clubs! Obviously the bar and clubhouse might have to remain closed for quite some time and it may be that racing is organised on an ad hoc basis but I'd take anything at the moment and I'm ok with sitting outside and having a drink socially distanced.

From the travellers point of view we might get the odd open meeting in towards the autumn, but from a series perspective i've written 2020 off. I can't see any championships happening this summer, and even if they do I'm not sure people will go or should go. If you've got a fleet size of 60 boats thats 120 people plus hangers on from all over the country and i'm not sure its right to descend on a sleepy village in Cornwall thats seen nothing of the virus all year so far - if we did and someone caught it and died I don't think it would make good reading in then papers.