We are pleased to present the following documents regarding our response to the COVID-19 Pandemic:

· Return to Sport for BC Blind Sports
This document includes our return to sport and program plans. It outlines some of the ways return to sport may be different than return to other activities and what permissions will need to be in place. We also have included information about the impact of COVID-19 on athletes and participants who are blind or partially sighted as well as information on modified guiding and instruction techniques which can be used for physical activity. We encourage other provincial sport organizations who have athletes who are blind or partially sighted to consider use of these modified guiding and instruction techniques, and we would be pleased to support you in personalizing this by sport and individual athlete. Each individual and organization using this plan should consider their own situation and the inherent risks of sport involvement in making their decision to return to sport – and what that looks like for them. This document applies to all of our programs.

· Return to Work
This document outlines our return to work plan, including how members or the public would visit if needed. This document applies to all of our programs and covers staff as well as volunteers. Please note that our office remains at the Joyce Street location and we would not be moving until early in 2021, however staff are still working partially remotely so please do not drop in un-announced.

· Goalball Return to Play
This document outlines the return to goalball plan. It will be used in conjunction with the above two plans.

Please contact us if you have any questions about the above. Sport in BC appears to be opening up a bit more now, however it is important to note that each of our sports and programs will begin with protocols in place as noted in the above plans, and will gradually loosen when the sport or program is ready and the health regulations permit. Please note that we will continue to provide programming options (including virtual options) to best meet the needs of our members and others that participate in our programs throughout the province of BC. Please continue to let us know how we can support you in being active at this time. We would also be interested in hearing your ideas and suggestions about our return plans.
Visit our Return to Sport section for more details.

All the best, and stay safe, well, and active.

Jane D Blaine
Executive Director

We are pleased to share our Return to Work Plan.

Please note that we are still working somewhat remotely from the office, though we are in a bit more regularly. You can continue to contact us in the usual ways as noted below. Most communication with members and others will continue to be done by email, phone or virtually in some way. Should a visit to the office be necessary, please contact us to discuss it and to make an appointment to come in.

Read the details of the Return to Work Plan (.doc)
or the pdf version Return to Work.pdf

Dear Members:
We hope you are doing well. We know that you are missing your regular activities and being with your team mates or those you train and compete with. Many of the BC Blind Sports groups and teams are staying in touch with each other. If there is a sport group you wish to connect with, or a sport you would like to have more information about, please let us know. We have received the provincial return to sport guidelines from Via Sport and are working on the blind sports versions by sport and location.

What to expect: here are some things from the guidelines or which are being considered in return to sport:

• Outdoor is better than indoor
• Ability to maintain physical distancing
• Attestations or health checks before each training session (this is a checklist reviewing if you are experiencing symptoms
• For most sports – training but not competition at this point
• Regular cleaning of equipment, no sharing of equipment
• Limited or no access to changing facilities (depending on the location)
• Is a sport guide used (e.g. bowls director, tandem pilot, guide runner) and are they from the same household or will they be in your group of limited number of contacts (if/when this changes)
• How do athletes and others get to training sessions – and ability to practice physical distancing or remain safe in the commute to training.
• Waivers and informed consent related to COVID-19 risks due to insurance companies have implemented COVID-19 exemptions (basically saying that COVID-19 related claims will not be allowed). Last week the provincial government announced a Ministerial Order protecting amateur sport organizations (like BC Blind Sports) from liability and damages directly or indirectly related to COVID-19. As more information about this becomes available we will explore how it impacts BC Blind Sports programs.

This gives you a general idea of what to expect. We know that for some sports this will be easier than for others. Some may require significant modifications to activities – but we hope to be able to get people together in some way. We may need to look at some form of alternative activities. We are exploring options with team managers or coaches. Some of you may wish to try something new also.

We will keep you posted as things progress. Please send us your ideas and questions.

Take care, stay healthy, active and safe; and let us know how you are doing.

You can continue to contact us as follows:

Email: info@bcblindsports.bc.ca
Phone: 604 321-1638
Toll Free Phone: 1 877 604-8638

Yours sincerely,
Jane, Mike David, and Susan
The BC Blind Sports Staff

As some services and activities in BC are beginning to open up, we wanted to give you an update on what BC Blind Sports is doing, recognizing that things continue to change in this environment.

• The instructions we have received from provincial funding authorities is that while some parks and municipal and private recreation facilities in communities are beginning to re-open, “…these activities should not be organized or operated by a PSO [provincial sport organization]…” (such as BC Blind Sports). They say “Participation in these activities is at the discretion of the individual and should adhere to current public health recommendations.”
• We are waiting to receive return to play guidelines which are under development by ViaSport BC – which is our funding partner in the BC Sport System. Once received, we will be developing return to sport/activity guidelines for BC Blind Sports on a sport specific basis in consultation with instructors, coaches, and managers as appropriate by sport and location.
• As a member of Sport BC, we are also working with them and our provincial sport organization peers in exploring the many implications of return to play/activity/sport.
• We recognize that return to group – in person – activity and sport will be different based on the specific sport, location, season, and may occur at different times. We will have to follow National, Provincial, and Local health guidelines, as well as the guidelines from ViaSport.
• We also recognize that each individual will have to make their own decision regarding their personal level of ability and comfort about how and when they are able to return depending on their own situation. We are also exploring options of how we could provide a combination of in person and virtual programming for some specific activates should this be the best option for some members.

We are very interested in hearing your thoughts and ideas about return to sport planning – please share your ideas and questions with us.

You can continue to contact us as follows:

Email: info@bcblindsports.bc.ca
Phone: 604 321-1638
Toll Free Phone: 1 877 604-8638

In the meantime, please stay safe, keep well, remain active, and keep following the provincial health guidelines.

Yours sincerely,
Jane, Mike David, and Susan
The BC Blind Sports Staff

Dear Members:
We hope you are all staying well, healthy, and active during the COVID-19 Pandemic. We encourage you all to take a look at the activity suggestions provided on our website – new activities are added on a weekly basis. We are also pleased that some of our partner organizations in the blindness field have posted some of our materials. Also, please stay tuned for more programs coming soon, including more for adults and seniors. Information on your BC Blind Sports Membership for 2020-21 is coming soon also.

Please continue to reach out to us via email directly to one of us; by using our info email; or by phoning us. Contact information is at the end of this message.

We continue to work away from our Joyce Street office at this time. We would be pleased to hear from you and are happy to discuss your physical activity needs and adventures with you, and support you in remaining active as best as you can at this time.

We want to keep hearing from you about what you have been doing to remain active at this point.

We have also been working on building up information for an updated website and thank the managers and coaches who have assisted by submitting sport specific information.

As always, if you have any questions or suggestions for us, please let us know. You can continue to contact us as follows:

Email: info@bcblindsports.bc.ca
Phone: 604 321-1638
Toll Free Phone: 1 877 604-8638

In the meantime, please stay safe, keep well, remain active, and keep up the physical distancing.

Jane, Mike, David and Susan

Come and join us for some fun and fitness!!!!
Wednesday at 2pm and Thursday at 7pm.

Our fitness class is lead by Brian and he comes with some wonderful music and fitness for all. Both classes will be about 40 min with a water break at the half way mark. This will also include the warm up and cool down.

All session will include seated exercises, balance, and some bodyweight exercises. You can use Dumbbells or soup cans if you want for added resistance in some of your exercises. We recommend that you check this with Brian at the beginning of the class. Please have a good sturdy chair for support and the seated exercises and balance.

This program is open to all members, If you are interested in registering please do so by sending an email to susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca or info@bcblindsports.bc.ca Please indicate which program you would like to join either the 2pm, 7pm or if you would like to join both. If you are joining both you will receive two invites, one for each class.

Mark your Calendar for our fun Virtual Fitness Class on Zoom, every Wednesday at 2pm and Thursday at 7pm.

Hope to see you there!!!!

The Vancouver Rowing Club is offering a great opportunity to experience para rowing in Vancouver!

What: Para Rowing Come and Try event

When: Sept 18th, 4pm-6pm

Where: Vancouver Rowing Club
450 Stanley Park Drive

Contact: Leslie row@vancouverrowingclub.ca

Note: spaces are limited and booking is essential, participants must use a mask when in close contact, be able to self-transfer.

What will I experience?

You will discover the basics first on a rowing machine, and then head out on the water with an experienced coach.

You will lead the experience in terms of your comfort level, physical ability and enjoyment.

Come down and try it – you’ll like it!

Why is rowing good for me?

Rowing enables individuals to maintain a high level of muscular and cardiovascular output. This is particularly relevant where issues may prevent an adequate level of exertion being achieved in many other sporting activities. Rowing is a unique activity in its ability to be adapted to a wide range of disability degrees and types and allows both muscular strengthening and improved cardiovascular fitness.

Rowing combines these benefits with being a wonderful, low impact aerobic workout. The benefits of Rowing as cross training can enhance performances in other para-sports.

The equipment used is essentially the same as for able-bodied rowers, with adaptations made to the equipment as required.

All welcome……try it, you’ll like it! Para Rowing offers opportunities for athletes with physical and visual impairments to be active on the water. It provides balanced low-impact exercise for the whole body, and is suited for a wide range of disabilities. Whether you are interested in having a social row, personal fitness, or taking this to the Paralympic Games, Vancouver Rowing Club has a program for you. Feel the freedom of gliding across the water.

For information please contact: Leslie row@vancouverrowingclub.ca Vancouver

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