2021 PA Canoe Sprint Championships – Newsletter 3

NEWSLETTER 3

16 April 2021

Dear Sprint Community,

I hope everyone’s training and preparation is going well for the 2021 Sprint Championships to be held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre (SIRC) in Penrith NSW from 19-23 May. We are on the home stretch now with next week being only 4 weeks to go.

This newsletter builds on from the information supplied in Newsletters 1 and 2. If you have not read these Newsletters, you can do so by clicking HERE. In addition, the Paddle Australia website has a Sprint Championships event page that is being updated regularly. Please click HERE to view all event information.

EVENT PARTICIPANT ENTRIES

I am pleased to announce along with opening racing on Saturday 22 May to the ski boats (surf ski and ocean ski) we will be including stand up paddle boarding (SUP) and outrigger (OC1) racing on Sunday 23 May. These events are now on the updated draft program and live on the entry system.

Entries are now open. To enter please click HERE

DRAFT PROGRAM

For the latest draft program please click HERE

EVENT VOLUNTEER REGISTRATON

To provide world class events to the Sprint Community we need volunteers to fill important roles including assisting with spectator information, traffic management, coordinating the podium presentations, first aid, boat holders, boat control, and the technical officials who run the on-water racing. You can volunteer for a half a day, a full day, or the entire week. No one will be turned away. There is a volunteer role to suit everyone.

The benefits to volunteering will include food and drinks and the new 776BC Sprint Championships event polo-shirt. 776BC is performance kit. For more information about 776 click HERE

There will also be a volunteer function to thank the team who make the 2021 Sprint Championships possible.

The Volunteer Registration link will be emailed this Monday to be completed by any person who wishes to be a volunteer or official at the 2021 Sprint Championships. The link will also be added to the PA website event page which you can access HERE and click on the Volunteer Registration tab. Any questions please call the PA office on (02) 9763 0670 or email sprint@paddle.org.au

NATIONAL TEAMS AND SQUAD SELECTIONS

If you wish to be considered for national team or squad selection at the 2021 Sprint Championships you must indicate your interest by ticking the box when doing your online entry. Selections include;

  • National Development Squad (born 2004-2006),
  • Junior Team (born 2003-2006),
  • U23 Team (born 1998-2006), and
  • World Cup/Championship Team (including Olympic reserves)

For further information on selection policies click HERE

ANTI-DOPING

Sports Integrity Australia (SIA) is likely to conduct drug testing at the 2021 Sprint Championships. It is the responsibility of each competitor to know and understand their responsibility in regard to anti-doping.

Competitors and coaches are urged to take note of the current SIA regulations in respect of banned substances for therapeutic use and act accordingly in achieving exemptions as required – Sport Integrity Australia – Check your Substances on Global DRO

Athletes and Coaches are advised that WADA has recently released the 2021 Prohibited List, which came into effect on 1 January 2021. The new list can be viewed here – World Anti-Doping Agency – What is Prohibited

Finally, SIA have updated their online education platform for anti-doping. We strongly encourage coaches, athletes, parents and support staff to undertake the online courses available. They can be found here – Sport Integrity Australia – Education

Note the ‘Sport Integrity App’ is free to download from your app store on your phone.

COVID-19 SAFETY

The safety of our Sprint Community is our highest priority. Therefore, PA recommend you continue to make yourself aware of information in relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19). The following links go to information provided by the Australian Government, Sports bodies and State and Territory governments.

Please click HERE for general COVID-19 information.

In preparation for the 2021 Sprint Championships being held in NSW we recommend everyone download the Service NSW app. Most businesses are required to keep a record of who has visited their premises. The easiest way to do this is by the Service NSW app on your phone. To use it to check-in you scan the QR code with the phone camera, and the apps check-in page automatically opens.

Please note it will most likely be a requirement to enter the SIRC venue that every person must check-in via a QR code at the main gate. There will be a SIRC COVID-19 plan and a PA COVID-19 plan for the event. More information on this will be provided closer to the start of competition.

FACT SHEET

Q – What impact will Domestic Border Closures have on the 2021 Sprint Championships?

A – PA will continue to monitor all border closures and evaluate the ability to access the Championships for all involved. The decision has now been made to proceed with the staging of the event in NSW, with consideration given to Federal and State Government guidance around the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

Q – If my State/Territory is identified as a hot spot within 14 days of the Sprint Championships and NSW closes its borders to us, will the Sprint Championships proceed?

A – The event will proceed however, PA believes that all States and Territories must be able to participate to hold National Championships status. This means that if one State or Territory is restricted from participating, whether due to travel or other local restrictions, then National Championship status will be removed.

Q – If you have been within an identified hot spot, at the time of possible transmission, will I be permitted to attend the Sprint Championships?

A – Based on current advice, any person identified from a hot spot in Australia, within 14 days of the 2021 Sprint Championships and advised by their relevant State Government to self-isolate, will not be permitted to travel/attend. This will include any hots spots that are identified within NSW during the days of competition. It should also be noted, that while a person’s home State/Territory Government may not require them to self-isolate, the NSW Government may identify your location as a hotspot and therefore you may not be able to travel to the event.

Q – If I make an entry for the 2021 Sprint Championships and I am unable to attend due to travel restrictions, will I get a refund?

A – Yes, upon providing supporting documentation (if required).

Q – What is the advice on booking travel?

A – PA strongly advises all attendees to only book refundable travel arrangements where possible.

Q – Will PA cover my costs if I am forced to quarantine upon arrival into NSW for the event or upon my return to my home State or Territory after the 2021 Sprint Championships?

A – PA will not cover any costs incurred by any individual in relation to quarantine or self-isolation that is required in relation to attendance at the Sprint Championships.

TOKYO OLYMPIC MERCHANDISE

For the very first time, you can not only support our Paddle Australia Olympic Team (AOT) athletes competing at the Tokyo 2020(1) Olympics, but you can become part of our Olympic family.

The Australian Olympic Committee in conjunction with Paddle Australia is offering a range of Tokyo supporter merchandise specific to the disciplines of sprint and slalom paddling. To view and/or purchase the AOT merchandise please go to the website AOC Canoe Supporters Range.

If you would like to have your AOT official merchandise sent to the Sprint Championships for collection you will need to order by no later than Monday 3 May. For collection at the Sprint Championships all you need to do is when your items are in the shopping cart, please enter the delivery address as follows:

Paddle Australia 2021 Sprint Championships
Sydney International Regatta Centre
Gate A, Old Castlereagh Rd
Castlereagh NSW 2749

Alternatively, you can have your AOT official merchandise sent to your home and orders will be taken up to Friday 9 July only 2 weeks prior to the start of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday 23 July 2021. Order now so you don’t miss out.

EVENT MARQUEES AND ROOM HIRE

As advised in the last email the permanent grandstand at the SIRC venue will be under renovations during the Sprint Championships. There will be a temporary grandstand erected on the grass hill. Please note this is an open air grandstand with no sun protection. Please consider bringing a team marquee and personal weather protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, wind/rain jacket and warm clothes).

ROOM HIRE FOR STUDENT STUDIES

The office has received enquiries regarding a space at the SIRC venue for students to study during the Sprint Championships. If your Club or State team wish to hire a room with tables and chairs you can do so by contacting Pip Dickson from SIRC on email philippa.dickson@sport.nsw.gov.au

MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS

Paddle Australia is pleased to announce that Beyond the Break (BTB) Consulting will be managing the media and communications for this event. Have you got any good stories? Please contact BTB staff on email phoebe.maher@btbconsulting.com.au

EVENT ACCOMMODATION – click HERE

NATIONAL COMPETITIONS UPDATE – click HERE.

As mentioned in previous Newsletters if you have any ideas on how to do the Canoe Sprint Championships event better, please let me know. Feedback can be emailed to sprint@paddle.org.au

Regards,

Lucy Warhurst

Event Director
2021 PA Canoe Sprint Championships

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