The BLDSA Executive Committee met in a Zoom Meeting on the 17^th October.  The main topic was the continuing Covid Pandemic and its effects on the 2021 events.  Our priority must be to take our Members and Volunteers welfare and safety into consideration.

Looking at the overall picture and the huge implications on safety and first aid for swimmers, safety crews and management teams on the day, it has been agreed that unfortunately, we will have to put some events on hold for 2021.  Therefore the swims that were planned to take place at Wykeham Lakes and Holyhead Harbour (Wales) have been cancelled.  The remaining events will be kept under constant review as the Covid situation evolves over the next few months before the first planned event on the new Calendar at Colwick Park in May.

We will be contacting all the entrants in any events we have to close for 2021 regarding the refunds of entry fees.

On behalf the BLDSA Executive Committee

We hope that you continue to be safe and well and we look forward to welcoming you all back to our events in 2021.

The events will be opening in October on the basis that Covid restictions will allow the swims to go ahead. We as an organisation will only be allowing the events to run if all current Covid guidelines can be followed, this will also include our own insurance and risk assessment guidelines which will be followed to the letter.

We are trying to remain positive that events will be able to go ahead as planned but it is up to you as an individual to make an informed decision about entering swims. Rest assured your safety and the safety of all our volunteers remains our main priority as is always the case regardless of the current pandemic, so with this in mind we are planning new ways of enabling the swims to run but they will only run if its safe to do so. You will of course be updated as soon as we know if the event can not take place. It may be worth ensuring if you enter an event which requires accommodation bookings, that they offer refunds if the event is cancelled and this may be at short notice if the government makes drastic changes.

An update on the 2020/2021 Season

Firstly, we hope you and your families are not suffering with any medical issues caused by Covid-19.  If any are, we hope you or they make a full recovery.

The BLDSA Executive Committee met recently and discussed the closure of the 2020 season the rolling over of Memberships and Events and the way forward.  At the time of writing this it looks like the virus and its required social distancing is going to be around for quite some time, perhaps into 2021.

We electronically contacted every member and “Open” event entrant for 2020.  The vast majority although disappointed, understood the rationale and thinking behind the decision and they thanked the Executive for their actions.  We thank the membership and “Open” entrants for their understanding of this issue and look forward to Covid-19 being behind us and we can get back together and in the water.  To this end we will shortly be publishing the proposed dates for 2021, because of the difficulty of contacting the various event locations, the dates will not be set in concrete but we expect the dates will be acceptable and at least the provisional dates will allow you to get planning your 2021 season.

We have not opened swim recognition for 2020 in line with social distancing and travel restrictions.  Should the situation regarding social distancing and travel restrictions be lifted and the government relaxes matters, it may be possible for swim recognition to be opened.  The whole subject will be kept under constant review.

Regarding memberships and the opening of events for 2021, the annual memberships for the 2020 memberships have already been “rolled over”.  If you were a 2020 member and did not request a refund your membership is now due to expire on the 31^st December 2021.  Once we know the 2021 season can go ahead the membership and event entry systems will be opened.  This will be on or just after the 1^st January 2021.

So until we can meet again please stay safe.

If you have any queries please send them to the Hon. Gen. Sec. using secretary@bldsa.org.uk

Amanda Bell, President & Vince Classen, Hon. Gen. Sec.