NEWSLETTER 7
12 May 2021
Dear Canoe Sprint Community,
This time next week is Day 1 of the 2021 Paddle Australia (PA) Canoe Sprint Championships (Sprint Championships). The Paddle SA and PA staff and volunteers from clubs and the local community are looking forward to welcoming YOU to the fabulous West Lakes venue in Adelaide, South Australia (SA).
PA is excited to announce the Hon Corey Wingard the SA Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing will “Officially Open” the 2021 PA Sprint Championships on Thursday 20 May during the mid-morning break in the race program. We are delighted to have the Minister open the event.
The safety of our sprint community is our highest priority. Therefore, PA continues to recommend to everyone that you 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 COVID-19 Links & Updates.
Now it is almost time to travel to Adelaide you need to be aware of requirements of the SA Government and Police regarding crossing the borders. Please acquaint yourself with the following update posted by the SA Police in relation to ‘Cross Border Travel‘ and the associated online form process.
In preparation for arriving in Adelaide in addition to completing any necessary forms we suggest everyone downloads the MySA Gov app via Google Play or the App Store prior to travel.
You will be required to use the COVID Safe Check-In to scan a QR code specific to the Adelaide Airport immediately after arrival. For travellers who do not have a smartphone, they must provide their relevant contact details to a person authorised or required to collect such contact details.
The PA 2021 Sprint Championships will have a Covid Safe plan and every day will require all attendees to check-in on arrival and check-out on departure from the West Lakes venue. There is an event specific QR code that will be printed and displayed around the venue. PA cannot emphasise enough the importance of completing this process to keep everyone safe now and in the future.
All relevant information about the 2021 Sprint Championships is on the website. To view please click HERE
See you soon at the incredible West Lakes venue in just a few days’ time.
LIVE STREAMING THE 2021 SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIPS
PA has been fortunate to partner with Rowing Australia to enable resources and equipment to be shared and experts to Live Stream the entire 2021 Sprint Championships from 19-23 May at West Lakes. This will expose to a wider audience the fast and furious nature of competition and enable competitors’ family, friends, and communities to follow your event. Further details will be published in the coming days on how you can follow the Live Stream from anywhere in the World to see every race.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The 2021 Sprint Championships will be captured not only via Live Stream to homes across Australia and the World, but also by renowned local photographer Carolyn Cooper. To see more of Carolyn’s work please click the link HERE More information on where you can view photos from this year’s 2021 Sprint Championships will be confirmed soon.
VOLUNTEERS FUNCTION
All volunteers and officials please save the date Friday 21 May. As part of the 2021 National Volunteer week that runs from 17-23 May PA has decided to host a ‘Thank You’ BBQ. The function will be catered for by the Oar Lakeside Restaurant who are on site and we will be served in the Events SA marquee next to the finish tower. Please put in your diaries to arrive at 5.30pm for a 6pm start. More details to come sent directly to each registered volunteer email .
SITE MAPS (DRAFT)
West Lakes – Extended Venue
West Lakes – Main Hub
DRAFT PROGRAM
For the latest draft program please click HERE
EVENT PARTICIPANT ENTRIES
Entries have now closed.
I am excited to confirm we have exceeded the entries from last years 2020 Sprint Championships who had 212 entries. This is great news especially with the venue change at short notice. At this year’s event we have:
- 230 athletes registered to race,
- 214 categories of racing,
- 897 races, and
- 1,361 seats.
EVENT VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION
To register your interest please click HERE
PA has also catered for the fact some people who wish to volunteer may be attending the Sprint Championships because they have a family member or friend participating. If this is the case, you can detail this in your registration and we will ensure we do not schedule you with a role at the time you need to be watching a race.
Please see the guide for reference in taking out volunteer registration in GoMembership.
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
Please click HERE for general COVID-19 information.
FACT SHEET
What impact will Domestic Border Closures have on the 2021 Sprint Championships?
PA will continue to monitor all border closures and evaluate the ability to access the Championships for all involved. The decision has been made to proceed with the staging of the event in SA, with consideration given to Federal and State Government guidance around the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
If my State/Territory is identified as a hot spot within 14 days of the Sprint Championships and SA closes its borders to us, will the Sprint Championships proceed?
The event will proceed however, paddlers from all States and Territories must be able to participate for the event to retain National Championships status. This means that if paddlers from one State or Territory are restricted from participating, whether due to travel or other local restrictions, then National Championship status will be revoked.
If you have been within an identified hot spot, at the time of possible transmission, will I be permitted to attend the Sprint Championships?
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 SA 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 SA Government may identify your location as a hotspot and therefore you may not be able to travel to the event.
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?
Yes, upon providing supporting documentation (if required).
What is the advice on booking travel?
PA strongly advises all attendees to only book refundable travel arrangements where possible.
Will PA cover my costs if I am forced to quarantine upon arrival into SA for the event or upon my return to my home State or Territory after the 2021 Sprint Championships?
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.
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. Order now so you don’t miss out.
TEAM MARQUEES
There will be space at the West Lakes venue to set up marquees for your teams (see site map above). If you are sending containers to Adelaide for the 2021 Sprint Championships PA encourage you to put such equipment in the container for transport to the venue. If your marque has walls we recommend you bring them to erect to protect participants from the wind. It is best to prepare for all weather at the event. Chairs are also a great asset for the Sprint Championships worth considering.
MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
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
NATIONAL TEAMS AND SQUAD SELECTIONS – further information on selection policies 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 even better, please let me know. Feedback can be emailed to sprint@paddle.org.au
Regards,
Lucy Warhurst
Event Director
2021 PA Canoe Sprint Championships
