Canoeing Ireland is continuing to advise our members to follow the guidelines laid out by the HSE. We all have a responsibility to help slow the spread of this virus on the island, and by continuing to follow the hygiene and social distancing guidelines put in place to preserve public health, we can play our part.

In light of the continued spread of COVID-19, and the threat to public health this plays, Canoeing Ireland have taken the decision to cancel all domestic competitive events up until the end of March, at which point the situation will be reviewed in line with government advice. All international travel for Irish paddlesport athletes will be postponed until further notice.

While we recognise many of our performance athletes will make the decision to continue to train, we strongly recommend they only do so in a fashion which will not risk their health, or the health of others. If training is undertaken it must be done in a fashion which will adhere to the social distancing guidelines, and with all possible efforts made to preserve hygiene.

Similarly the Canoeing Ireland Training Centre will suspend all courses and close to the public until the end of March, when again the situation will be reviewed.

We are strongly advising clubs to suspend all activity, including trips and events, until the situation is reviewed at the end of March. Clubs may take a case by case review of their activity, but any activity must strictly adhere to the guidelines around group activity –

  1. Strictly follow the guidelines regarding prevention (wash, cover, avoid and clean).
  2. The use of changing facilities and toilets should be off limits as much as possible.
  3. Clubs should restrict groups/individuals who are at a higher risk of contracting the virus.
  4. We recommend that if necessary training should be undertaken outdoors at present. Group training in gyms should be cancelled.

Canoeing Ireland fully support any clubs which make the decision to suspend all club activity.

While unfortunate, this is the best option at present to avoid the spread of the Corona virus amongst our members and protect the health of our teams.

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