MILWAUKEE ROWING CLUB - YOUTH ROWING
STEP ONE RETURN - HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
The Milwaukee Rowing Club has put together protocols and guidelines for our Step One return to programming for the High School team. This first step consists of outdoor, land-based training in small groups (10 or fewer). These protocols and guidelines will go into effect on June 1st.
High School Team – Step One Details
As government, CDC, and USRowing guidelines continue to change, our staff and board members are staying up to date on the latest information. Our organization has put together protocols for our Step One opening for our Youth Program. This is limited strictly to High School team members. We are still working to establish a timeline for our Middle School programming and we will
update as soon as we are able. Beginning on June 1, the MRC High School team members are permitted to do land-based training, and MUST follow the protocols below. (Failure to comply with these protocols may result in temporary revocation of access to in-person workouts or a full revocation of Step One)
SAFETY MEASURES AND PROTOCOLS
Group Size: coaches are permitted to hold workouts with groups no larger than 10 (total athletes and coaches) in outdoor
spaces only. These groups are not required to be fixed and may have some shifting over time.Masks: it is suggested that all athletes wear a mask while NOT participating in physical activity. This refers to the time spent before and after exercising on rowing machines, or other land-based training. Masks will not be permitted to be worn during physical activity – this is due to health concerns related to wearing a mask while working out.
Physical Distancing: all athletes and coaches are required to be at least 6 feet apart at all times. This includes before, during, and after physical activity.
Equipment: all High School team members are currently in possession of an erg for their training. They are expected to use this same erg as we move forward with Step One. This ensures that each athlete is using equipment that is not shared. This will require transport of your erg and we will not be storing ergs in the boathouse during this phase. Athletes must only use their ergs.
Location: we will be training in outdoor locations where it is appropriate for erging and physical activity. The Boathouse plaza and green roof are primary locations for training. No group training will take place indoors.
Restrooms: the Boathouse restroom is NOT to be used unless absolutely necessary (emergency) – clean all surfaces after use (toilet, sink, door handle, etc.) with the wipes available in the restroom.
Boathouse: the Boathouse will NOT be available for equipment/gear/clothing storage. Athletes will not have access into the Boathouse unless absolutely necessary (emergency). Show up ready for your workout.
Water Bottle: each athlete must have his/her own water bottle for workouts. No sharing of water bottles is permitted, nor is there a space for refills. Bring enough water to be adequate for your workout. Be mindful of warmer weather which is becoming more prominent.
Before/After Practice: athletes are not to linger or spend time around the boathouse before or after practice. We are asking that everyone takes a quick in and out approach. Athletes MUST adhere to physical distancing guidelines in the area around our facilities and our workout sessions.
Health: athletes are not to attend a practice if they are feeling unwell for any reason – especially as it relates to the following symptoms: fever, coughing, aches/pains, sore throat, diarrhea, shortness of breath, chills/sweats, or other flu like symptoms. Additionally, if a member tests positive for COVID-19, we ask that you inform Roger Huffman.
COVID-19 Waiver: The Milwaukee Rowing Club is doing everything in our power to create a safe environment in adhering to guidelines set forth by USRowing, the government, and the CDC. All athletes must have a signed COVID-19 Waiver in order to participate in our Step One and our future Steps in returning to practices.
We understand that some of these protocols are not ideal, however, this is an important step in moving closer to getting the athletes on the water. We are asking all of our High School team members to do their part in helping us to create as safe an environment as possible. This will enable us to execute Step One, and ultimately, to progress into future steps.
We are diligently following guidance laid out by USRowing, the CDC, and other regulatory bodies in an effort to ensure the safety of our members and families. However, we cannot guarantee that an athlete will not come in contact with the coronavirus or with a person who has contracted COVID-19 or has been in contact with the virus. We ask that you consider your child’s own health condition and what personal precautions you can take to ensure your own family’s health and safety before returning to the MRC. We want to see each athlete at our workouts, but more importantly, we want you to be safe and healthy. Your decision to utilize the MRC workouts and our facilities can never be completely risk free and by using the MRC facilities and being in proximity to other team members, you are making a decision to assume the risk.
The protocols and guidelines in place must be followed in participating in rowing club activities. Additionally, all parents, athletes, and families are responsible for reading, understanding, and signing our COVID19 Waiver prior to being present at a practice or workout. Athletes will not be permitted to participate in our in person training until this waiver is signed.
HIGH SCHOOL TEAM TRAINING - BEGINNING JUNE 1st
Coaches will continue communicating all workouts and training to the athletes online. Obviously with this Step One approach, the athletes will begin to workout in groups. However, the training will not be limited only to training in groups. Coaches will utilize the online training platforms used over the past couple of months as well. Online platforms may be used in inclement weather
situations, or at the coach’s discretion based upon their training plan. Coaches are responsible for communicating their training plan to the athletes so they are aware of when they will be expected to attend workouts in person vs. online workouts. If you choose for your son/daughter not to attend group workouts, they are still able to continue training as they have been through communicating and reporting workouts online.
We are already working on our Step Two planning for our High School team, in addition to middle school planning. We will continue to monitor guidelines in order to make these decisions and we will keep you posted. Our coaching staff is excited to take this first step in getting the athletes back together again.
Upcoming Schedule
The High School spring season will resume through June 26th. The summer season will begin on June 29th. More information on the summer season regarding schedule, workouts, and registration will be sent in a couple of weeks when we have a better idea of when we will be able to get back on the water.
Practice Times:
Through June 12 - afternoon: between 4:00 - 6:30 PM
June 15 - June 26 - morning: between 7:30 - 10:00 AM
June 29 - August 14 - morning: 7:30 - 10:00 AM
