National Lockdown 3 – 05/01/2021
Following the announcement from Boris Johnson on the 4th January, England has moved back into national lockdown. The government has published new guidance on what the rules mean and what you can and can’t do.
We would encourage everyone to read the rules in full. The following may well change over the next few days, but our initial take on the key messages for surfing are:
Individual Surfers: Surfing as a form of daily exercise can continue, providing the guidance is adhered to; surfers stay within their local area, only surf once a day and practise social distancing. On the Government advice it states “Stay local means stay in the village, town, or part of the city where you live.” (National Lockdown: Stay at Home, Gov UK, Click here, Access Date: 6/1/21).
Surf Schools and Clubs: Should not be operating, although there are exemptions for elite sportspeople, disabled people and surf therapy
1:1 Coaching: The guidance allows 1:1 personal training to continue in outdoor public spaces
Surf Therapy: Organised outdoor sport for disabled people and recognised surf therapy groups providing therapy or other support can continue
Elite Sportspeople: There are some exemptions for elite sportspeople to allow training to continue through the lockdown. The Team England pages list the current squad and those on the formal talent pathway. Other surfing athletes outside of shortboard and adaptive disciplines that meet the governments elite athlete definition can get in touch with Surfing England direct.
