Resources for Addressing Rising Environmental Concerns

At Ontario Sailing, the health and safety of our community is always a top priority. As seasonal conditions change, we are seeing increased concerns around public health issues such as extreme heat events, declining air quality, measles outbreaks, and harmful blue-green algae blooms. These issues can affect our members, programming, and the overall well-being of those involved in sailing activities across the province.

To support our clubs, coaches, instructors, and sailors, Ontario Sailing has collected resources in consultation with the Canadian Sport Institute of Ontario (CSIO) and has consulted legal counsel to help keep our members informed and prepared. Our goal is to empower our community with the tools and knowledge needed to respond proactively and maintain a safe environment for all.

Extreme Heat

Being physically active during extreme heat can put even the healthiest individuals at risk. Heat illnesses, including heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat edema, heat rash, and heat cramps (muscle cramps) are mainly caused by over-exposure to extreme heat or over-exertion for a person’s age and physical condition. These illnesses can lead to long-term health problems or even death. Therefore, it is important to understand the risks that activity in extreme heat poses.

We encourage organization leaders to consult the following resources during periods of extreme heat:

Hot Environments: Health Effects (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)

Humidex Rating and Work (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)

Protect Yourself from Extreme Heat (Government of Canada)

Air Quality

Poor air quality can have effects on human health, and, when wildfires are the cause, everyone is at risk regardless of age or underlying conditions. However, the risk and impact can be greater for people engaging in strenuous activities, including participation in sport. Ontario Sailing recommends that organization leaders and participants pay close attention to the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) in considering what activities to offer and participate in. Ontario Sailing also suggests reviewing the additional resources outlined below.

Air Quality Health Index (Government of Canada)

Ontario-AQHI Summary (Government of Canada)

Environmental Factors (Sport Information Resource Centre)

Understanding Air Quality – A Guiding Document for Sport Organizations (SIRC)

Blue-Green Algae

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are naturally occurring bacteria found in aquatic ecosystems. Generally invisible to the human eye and non-toxic, cyanobacteria populations that grow rapidly under ideal conditions create harmful algae blooms that have been observed within the Great Lakes with increasing frequency.

Rapidly emerging cyanobacteria blooms can release cyanotoxins that are harmful to both humans and aquatic life. Symptoms such as bodily itching, eye irritation, headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, fevers, and vomiting may occur from direct contact of swallowing.

It is not possible to visually identify if any given bloom is toxic. Therefore, organizations should treat all blooms with caution and report them to the Province.

In consultation with CSIO, Ontario Sailing recommends that organization leaders, Coaches and Instructors be cognizant of water advisories/beach closures, or areas of concern as identified by regional/municipal authorities. It is also recommended that club leaders review the following web pages for more information:

Blue-Green Algae (Government of Ontario)

Recreational Water and Health-Cyanobacteria and their Toxins (Government of Canada)

Measles

Ongoing measles transmission in Ontario is impacting multiple areas of the province. Measles is a serious respiratory infection that is highly contagious, which can be transmitted by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching an infected surface. Ontario Sailing encourages organization leaders to keep hand washing/equipment washing procedures top of mind, and to encourage participants to stay home if they are feeling unwell.

Organization leaders are encouraged to review the Ontario Public Health website for information on measles and are encouraged to visit their municipal health unit websites for information and resources specific to their area.

Measles (Ontario Public Health)

Measles Exposures in Ontario (Ontario Public Health)

In consultation with legal counsel, Ontario Sailing confirms that it is illegal for member organizations or Ontario Sailing, for that matter, to request personal health information. The Provincial Government has not deemed it reasonable at this time for organizations to request such information. Therefore, member organizations are not permitted to ask Coaches, Instructors or Participants for immunization records.