The BLDSA Executive Committee, hope you are all well and are not physically affected by the virus and if you are, we hope you make a full recovery.
Due to the current and constantly changing situation with Coronavirus / Covid-19, we have made the extremely difficult and possibly controversial decision to cancel all of this year’s events. This decision has not been easy, and we have taken many different things into consideration. We thought by only closing some of the early events it may encourage people to think the later events will be run, then they are going to want to train, particularly for Windermere and Loch Lomond. We are being told that social distancing is the key to beating this, so people trying to maintain this by training alone in open water would be putting themselves at an even greater risk. We know some swim alone anyway, but that is a calculated risk by a few, and potentially we could be seen to be encouraging everyone to do it. We have taken into account our volunteers at all levels, Swim Sec’s, Safety Crews, those towing boats to events, on the day helpers, First Aiders, kayakers to name a few and their possibly not being available at the last minute. We know with our volunteers they will go out of their way to try to ensure the events do take place even by putting themselves at risk. The lack of accommodation, places to eat, any travel restrictions that may be sprung upon the country were other factors.
The Executive Committee would like to suggest to you that annual Memberships for 2020 are rolled over for 2021. There are two main reasons for this, if we refund, there will be a slight loss of money for you. The amount you have paid attracted a Card Payment fee and any refund that we make will also attract a Card Payment fee. If you are “rolled over”, you will have only paid this year’s fee (£45) and the increase which was agreed at the recent AGM to £47 will not affect you. However, if you still wish for the refund it will be processed as soon as the Treasurer can process it.
The executive committee would also like to suggest that entrants for events are “rolled over” onto next year, when we hope this situation will be over. If you are “rolled over” you will have paid this year for next year’s event and your place will be already set. Obviously if you request a refund for membership, we will not be able to roll your entry over for next year. Please also take note that Loch Lomond will run next year not Windermere Two Way, so a complete move of events from this year to next year.
If you do require any refunds, please email the Treasurer using treasurer@bldsa.org.uk.
Amanda Bell, President & Vince Classen, Hon. Gen. Sec.
