Metedeconk River Yacht Club recently announced that the Junior Program will begin on July 6, 2020. The club plans to follow CDC guidelines, leadership from the BBRYA and our Commodore, Pedro Escandon.
As the Junior Program beginson July 6, 2020, our Junior Coordinators and Executive Committee have been working tirelessly to ensure a safe opening. Following Metedeconk’s recommended directions will ensure a healthy and safe summer.
Currently, our Executive Committee has begun creating accommodations for our Junior sailors. These recommendations revolve around the storage of Junior sailboats. Instead of storing the Junior Program Opti's on the racks like in previous years, we will be storing them on the ground for the 2020 season in an effort to be better aligned with local and CDC instruction. The goal is to limit the amount of helping hands in proximity, which it takes to pull an Opti off of the rack.
“I am also going to ask that every non-junior sailboat under the west Opti rack, the Andrew Brennan Building and in the gravel corral directly behind the Andrew Brennan building, relocate to the south lot (southern grass and gravel area) to make room for our Juniors,” Said Anton Auth, Dock Master, Metedeconk River Yacht Club. “We are going to need as much space as possible to ensure our Juniors that are sailing daily have easy access to their boats.”
As we begin gearing up for the season, new protocols have been put in place that will allow our juniors to enjoy the summer program safely. The ground level storage plan will enable our Junior Sailors better access to their boats while limiting close contact with others. Temperature screenings will be done at a check-in point prior to class starts.
Sailing class times have been staggered to limit crowding of Juniors on the property prior to the start of morning and afternoon sessions. Each class will have a designated meeting and rigging area. These plans have been set in place by the EC and program coordinators, Beth Pokorney and Ginger Hnatt to limit the amount of risk and spreading of COVID-19.
Recently, the MRYC pool re-opened, and we had a great first week of the pool opening! A big thank you to everyone who helped to make it a success! This achievement is a direct result of pool chair Denise Lombardino’s hard work to make sure that we adhere to the recommendations established by the health department.
The new rules are somewhat stringent but have been put in place to ensure the health and safety of all of our members. This summer will be like no other as COVID-19 continues to create new hardships and challenges, but as a community, we make it a great one.
Fortunately, there will be a Jr. Swim program this summer, as a result of the tireless efforts from our parent volunteers Maureen Felser, Beth Pokorny, Ginger Hnatt, Meghan Buczkowski and our Vice Commodore Tony Lombardino. Although, this is not what were used to, our volunteers have established easy to follow rules to ensure the safety of our swimmers while promoting the sport. A big thank you to our volunteers for their continued efforts as MRYC will continue to host the Junior Swim program this summer.
MRYC also holds a weekly Advanced Sailing Class for junior sailors between the ages of 14 and 18. These sailors are coached in Lightnings at a more rigorous level. Coaches Russ Schon, Mitch Hnatt, and other volunteers come together to promote the Lightning Class to our Juniors. Sailors in this course often travel to regattas throughout the summer to compete against Juniors in the Lightning fleet, regionally, nationally and even worldwide.
As we prepare for the start of our summer season and Junior Programs, please be safe and respectful of our members, staff, and the property. Together, we can this summer successful by following the MRYC recommended guidelines.
Please remember that, as with all of our activities and events at the club this year, if you do not feel comfortable with the guidelines that have been established, it is your personal decision whether to attend or not. We are doing our best and will follow all health guidelines, but some members may not feel comfortable, and we understand that. And if you are a member that is at high risk for COVID-19, please consider staying home as well.
Spend Your Summers Sailing!