Minneapolis Sailing Center is committed to the health and safety of our employees, sailors, and the community at large. Governor Walz recently issued Executive Order 20-56 which allows for more businesses to begin opening if they follow certain safety precautions. With Executive Order 20-56 and the previously issued Outdoor Recreation Guidelines, MSC now has a path forward to get back on the water this summer!
MSC developed the policies and procedures listed below to meet the safety guidelines issued by Governor Walz, the MN Dept of Health, the CDC, and the DNR. Our classes, membership program, and weekly races will not look the same as years past, but our new policies will allow us to operate while maintaining social distancing and keep the safety of everyone as our top priority. In order for this to work, all sailors, members, parents and staff will be expected to follow these policies. There will be no exceptions. Please note, any of these policies are subject to change as the official guidance and rules are updated.
We are taking registrations for all of our summer classes and the Membership Program. If you have any questions about our policies below, please ask! We will start a Frequently Asked Questions page on our website soon.
Opening Dates
Membership Program Open Sailing: Saturday, May 23rd
Private Lessons, Adult and Parent/Child Classes: Monday, June 1st
Weekly Races: Wednesday, June 3rd
Youth Classes: Monday, June 8th
Overview of COVID-19 Policies
People who are sick, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, have a fever of 100.4℉ or higher, or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 in the past 14 days are asked to stay home.
Students, parents, and members are required to sign waivers outlining the risk of being exposed to COVID-19, affirming they do not have symptoms, have not been in contact with a person infected with COVID-19 in the past 14 days, and agree to abide by our policies.
The maximum size of any class is reduced to 10 people including instructors. Classes will not intermix and launching/docking will be staggered to give adequate space for social distancing.
Only people from the same household are allowed to sail in the same boat during classes, member open-sailing, private lessons, or races. People who are not from the same household may not sail in the same boat. Sailors can still sign up for classes, but will sail alone, rather than with a partner. For boats sailed alone, 420s and Ensigns will be sailed without the jib. Executive Order 20-56 does allow for an instructor to sail with one other person. Ensign classes and private lessons will be taught with one instructor and one student in each boat, but all other classes will not have an instructor in the sailboat. This requirement comes directly from Executive order 20-56 and the Outdoor Recreation Guidelines. We hope that these guidelines will change at some point, but this is the requirement for now.
Sailors and staff must maintain six foot social distancing at all times when on shore or on the water - unless from the same household.
Hand washing/sanitizing stations will be provided on site and sailors are required to use them upon arrival.
Masks or face coverings must be worn while on shore by sailors, members, and staff.
Sailboats will be disinfected after each use and common touch points at the facility will be disinfected frequently.
Students and members are not allowed inside the boathouse. MSC staff will check-in bags for storage in the boathouse. The boathouse will be used as a shelter if an unforeseen storm develops suddenly. If this happens, parents will be asked to come pick up their kids.
Classes will be cancelled if thunderstorms are in the forecast. We will attempt to reschedule classes when possible.
Staff, student, and member temperatures will be checked using a no-touch infrared thermometer upon arrival. If the person’s temperature is 100.4℉ or higher they will be asked to leave.
Sailors must bring their own clothing, lifejackets, sunscreen, water bottles, and any other equipment needed to sail. MSC will not have these items available for sharing.
Youth summer camp participants must bring their own lunch and beverages and may not share food or beverages with others.
Parents will stay in their vehicles during drop off and pickup.
Ensigns will be towed to the dock for classes and members rather than ferrying people out to sailboats.
The above list is only an overview of changes to our program that are necessary to keep people safe. We will send additional emails to attendees with more information.
As always, please reach out if you have questions or want to make a change to your summer plans.
See you on the water (from a safe distance)!