With large swathes of the country changing to Tier 4 from midnight and almost all the remainder in Tier 3, we thought it would be useful to provide a quick update on what the changes mean for surfing.
Sport England have detailed FAQs on all aspects of sport (indoor, outdoor, individual and group) which are worth exploring for more detail or to see the rules for other sports you are involved in.
Surf lessons fall under the guidance for ‘organised outdoor sport’ and providing the covid secure guidance for outdoor events and activities is adhered to, then the following is permitted:
Tier 3 areas
Ratios of 1:8 can continue, participants must not mix with others from outside their household or support bubble – which means ensuring at least 2m distance between people from different households, no gathering for changing, waiting, travel etc.
Tier 4 areas
Group surf lessons are not permitted. Outdoor sport and physical activity can only take place within your household or support bubble, or with one other person from another household. Only 1:1 and 1:2 coaching is allowed to continue.
That is the headline position and we would encourage you to read through the Sport England guidance for the full picture, there is also more available via the CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for Sport and Physical Activity) and the full government guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): grassroots sports guidance for safe provision including team sport, contact combat sport and organised sport events .
The Surfing England office will be back open from the 4th Jan and we’ll continue to work closely with DCMS, Sport England and other NGBs to make sense of the rules. As ever, please stay in touch if you have questions we can help with, and fingers crossed we’ll be in a far better place by Easter and the start of the 2021 season.
