The Victorian Government has increased the number of people in an outdoor setting to 20 plus coaches, and from late June, yet more. However the minimum distance remains at 1.5 metres. Given that the distance between seats in a crewed boat is 1.2-1.3 metres, single sculls are the only boats allowed, unless you are from the same household.

Given the above, Mercantile has followed the 10 athlete rule plus coaches in sending out pods of 10 single sculls.

Members with privately owned sculls can book a training slot with the Captain, so can others wanting to use the Club sculls.

Rowing Victoria has published the linked guidelines which have been adopted in full by the Club. Please read and follow to the letter.

Sculling sessions
High performance group
This must be organized and supervised by a high-performance coach who will advise the Captain so that we ensure that there are no more than 10 people at the Clubhouse at any time.

Club and masters rowers
Any use of the Club must be booked with the Captain captain@mercantile.org.au. The Club has three club sculls available.

Sign in/Sign out procedures
To manage numbers and know who is at the Club, the following additional Mercantile procedure is also implemented:

• When entering the Club you must sign in scanning the sign in QR code found at the downstairs entry door which will link to a questionnaire on the Google docs which you will need to complete.
• When leaving the Club you must sign out scanning the sign out QR code found at the downstairs exit door which will link to a questionnaire on the Google docs which you will need to complete.

Safety officers
There must be a safety officer present at all sessions. Safety officer check list.
High performance groups
This will be the coach organizing the session.

Club/masters rowers and private scull users
This will be a person appointed by the Captain captain@mercantile.org.au and may be you. Please ensure that you understand and follow the RV guidelines fully and use the safety officer checklist.

Other matters

• Come dressed for rowing and bring in your own pre-filled water bottle.
• No use of changing rooms (other than to use toilets), gym, kitchen, bar etc.
• Maintain physical distancing – greater than 1.5m from the next person.
• No leniency – failure to follow the RV guidelines, the sign in/sign out procedures, booking and safety officer processes will lead to serious disciplinary action.

Get in, train, get out.