Following the UK GOV’s COVID-19 Response 4-step Road Map (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021) and the latest guidance from British Rowing (https://www.britishrowing.org/2021/03/managing-covid-19-version-11-released/), the HYGA Committee met on 17 March to discuss and agree the following:

✅ Clubs should continue preparing to resume rowing from 29 March, in line with Step 1 of the UK GOV Road Map and BR’s guidance (including specifically for fixed seat rowing – page 32) 🚣🏻‍♀️🙏

✅ Clubs should take a slow and cautious approach to any training once they resume rowing, to give rowers the opportunity for their bodies to get used to rowing and training again to avoid injury. 🚣🏻‍♀️😅

✅ The HYGA “Rowing a Shape” Challenge will begin in April with a “heart”, and continue in May (a fish), June (a flower) & July (a wine glass). The aim of the HYGA “Rowing a Shape” Challenge is to encourage social rowing by providing crews with an artistic challenge whilst out on the water! 🚣📲➰💙🐟🌷🍷

✅ The HYGA Home Waters Series will begin in May, with a weekend of 3km out-and-back time trial races, followed by 5km in June, and 7km in July. 🚣🏠🌊🏆

✅ After reaching Step 4 of the UK GOV Road Map (no earlier than 21 June), it is the HYGA’s hope that we will be able to hold a full HYGA Winter Series once again. An 11-round 2021-2022 calendar has therefore been agreed by all clubs and is now available. ☃️🚣🏆

✅ Details of all upcoming HYGA Challenges and Races can be found on the HYGA Events Calendar: https://harkersyardrowers.teamapp.com/events (and will be added to Facebook in due course) 🚣📅