Water Warnings at Sydney Regatta Centre Lakes

Hello Ladies

Just a heads up that last night we were given advance notice from the Sydney International Regatta Centre that following recent heavy rains that filled the lakes at Penrith to overflowing from runoff from surrounding lands, and then after some subsequent very hot days, their first ever blue green algal alert has been issued by the Metropolitan/South Coast Regional Algal Coordinating Committee (RACC).

This will be released formally today and as part of our continuing Duty of Care we at TNSW wanted to make you are aware of this situation ahead of the release. In truth, come March 7th the Regatta Centre waters may be back to the usual pristine levels that the Regatta Centre people have always prepared for us in past years. However, we must prepare for all contingencies and this we are doing now.

In the event that the water is not considered safe for swimming on March 7th TNSW Racing will bring into play a contingency for a run, bike, run format for all events on the day. The TriShave Women’s Festival event will go ahead in this format if the warning exists over the next 10 days. If it is lifted beforehand we will then return to a swim, bike, run format.

The alert says, "The Regional Algal Co-ordinating Committee, in conjunction with the Regatta Centre wishes to advise people who use the Centre for recreation to be aware of the following situation."

“A Red Level Warning of algae levels exists in the Sydney Regatta Centre Lakes - This red level warning indicates that waters are presently unsuitable for recreational use.”

 Warning signs have been positioned around the Centre and will remain until these blooms subside.

As some background, the algae may be visible on the water surface or at the edge as a green scum but people should be aware that should the surfaces of the Lakes be disturbed by wind the algae may be difficult to see. The RACC says, "It is important for people to know that contact with the affected water could result in skin rashes, eye and/or ear irritations. Ingesting the water can lead to diarrhoea and long term health problems. Asthma attacks can also be brought on by contact with blue-green algae."

“The RACC will continue to daily monitor this blue-green algal bloom and will advise the community when conditions change.

TNSW will issue further updates if conditions change - and on Wednesday 3rd March we will have a pre-event email to all participants in which we'll outline the strategy of either going with the conventional swim, bike run format for March 7th, or the contingency of run, bike, run if continued testing reveals an inability for primary water contact to continue (Swimming...)

It is hoped that we can advise you late Friday 5^th March of which format will be used on the Sunday,,

Please rest assured that the TNSW race team will work with the Regatta centre team to stay on top of this problem; and that the TriShave Women's Festival will certainly go ahead in either of the two formats we've outlined above.

We promise you the day will be no less fun, and will remain a chance to participate in some great events, whatever the format the day, and the lakes, allows. And please don’t stress; we promised you a stress free day and so it will be.

Safe Training

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