While working within the COVID-19 guidelines, Flatwater North Sprint developed a return-to-play plan. It has been reviewed by the YG Environmental Health Office and their National Sport Organization, Canoe and Kayak Canada, and the club received the all-clear to launch their boats and resume summer programming.

"We are very excited to be up and going," said Flatwater North president Helen Anne Girouard. "We will be able to have camps, and our competitive athletes have already been training."

To safely follow the pandemic protocols, Flatwater will be running four groups, two Canoe Kids and two Regatta Ready. There will be nine kids per group plus one coach.

"The maximum will always be nine with a coach but we might be able to keep the groups smaller," said Girouard.

Once a camper is allocated to a group, they will not be in contact with the others. The expectation, as outlined in Flatwater's COVID-19 response, is that campers will be able to follow instructions provided by the coaches about physical distancing and camp rules.

As far as equipment is concerned, boats, paddles, and lifejackets Girouard said staff will be diligent about cleaning and sanitizing.

"When groups change, we will have staff disinfecting the paddles and boats," said Girouard.

All training will be done in solo boats.

To help pay for the extra cleaning equipment, PPE, and other expenses related to resuming operations during COVID-19, Flatwater applied and received funding from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).

"We want to hire someone to oversee the cleaning and other protocols," said Girouard. "The CanNor funding will also help with masks and hand sanitizer."

Girouard said the kids will also have individual tote bins to store their belongings – something they don't usually budget for.

Upon arrival, campers will be met by their coach and asked the screening questions, explained Girouard. If they pass they can go into camp.

Although the extra measures are new, Girouard said the rest of the camp is established.

"We are grateful that we have done this before," she said.

For the competitive kids, all their Outside competitions have been cancelled.

"It's disappointing for our athletes because last year, they had success," said Girouard. "This year, they would have been vying for nationals. We've always promoted going down south to compete because it made the sport real.

Instead, Girouard said they are looking into, and doing virtual regattas.

"They have been comp-training all winter with the competitive season in mind," said Girouard. "We are looking at ways so they can meet that competitive need, and give them the reason to train."

Flatwater has already shuttered two of its popular events, the Icebreaker Race and Chili and Beans.

"We've cancelled those but once we get things going, we can look at ways to hold community events," said Girouard.

Given the uncertain times, Girouard, said the club will remain flexible and hopeful, and will be able to react according to any changes to regulations.