Yeah we are open! Also some important information for the Bank Holiday.
Published 10:37 on 20 May 2020
The Club is open! Not yet fully but open, and so far so good. I have missed it terribly as I'm sure you have and it was great to be back in the office briefly last week. Many thanks to Ollie, Eloise and the children for taking care of the clubhouse for us over the last few months - I'm sure they are delighted to see us all again!?
Firstly, I would like to extend my thanks to all the Flag Officers, Committee members, Office staff and Volunteers who leapt into action last week, at very short notice, and worked tirelessly to prepare the Club for reopening. There was huge amount of work completed in just a few days and this could not have been achieved without their dedication to ESC. The Club is incredibly fortunate to have so many people who volunteer their time.
We were perhaps fortunate last weekend to reopen during the lowest of the early morning neap tides with quite a chilly wind. Regardless, many of you came down to begin launching and preparing your boats and dinghies for sailing, or to kayak and paddle-board around the harbour.
I hear there were many seals out and about and I'm sure they have been thoroughly enjoying the peace and quiet in the harbour during our lockdown! A gentle start was indeed what we were all hoping for and so far, bar a few access issues with the gates, all has gone to plan. It seems that everyone managed to adhere to the current social distancing measures. Thank you!
So, just to clarify the issues that are of concern over the coming weeks and months. Last weekend approximately 180 people accessed the Club terrace, which was a very good start to the season, but for comparison's sake, the same weekend last year saw 800 visits to the Club.
The committees have reflected on how last weekend went and have decided to open the Mountbatten Dinghy Park gate to allow a one-way system past the Club. Signs will be put up by the weekend.
Until the Clubhouse re-opens, billet stickers can be found in a clear plastic storage box which is located in the sail store along with yellow plastic labels for trollies.Clearly with the present social distancing measures in place, the Club may struggle to accommodate us all. Traditionally the last Bank Holiday in May is our busiest weekend of the year, with the car park full to overflowing, and likewise the terrace.
This weekend, the forecast is for fine weather and with good lunchtime tides on the way, it could be a challenging weekend indeed.
So, we would ask for you to please assist in the following ways:
- Only come to the Club to sail or take part in water sports
- Please only drive if you have to - please walk or cycle if possible
- If you are able to sail during the week, please think twice about coming to ESC over the weekend as it is likely to be busy
- Boats in the dinghy park must launch from and return to the beach during the present restrictions, not from the terrace. No washdown facilities are available
- Please be extra mindful of members of the public as you pull boats to and from the dinghy park. Be careful whilst at ESC and take care when preparing your boat - check everything is safe and fit for purpose.
See the CHC poster and club reopening news item for advice, and keep an eye on the website for any changes to the current situation/restrictions.
I hope to see you all over the coming weeks as we get back to enjoying our beautiful Club. Stay safe everyone and have a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend!
Jane Scott