CORINDA BOWLS CLUB INC
A Guide to Extreme Weather Conditions
The aim of this document is to provide players with an overview of the types of extreme conditions which could
impact on play, and measures which may be taken to protect their safety. Such measures are partly explained in
the “Laws of the Sport of Bowls”, the official law book for our sport.
Bowls Australia has an Extreme Weather Policy which is referred to in the Domestic Regulations Section of the law
book, Rule 13: “Bowls Australia has adopted an extreme weather policy which can be upgraded from time to time
and can be downloaded from the Bowls Australia website.”
In addition, Section 13 – Factors affecting play – Rule 50 states, in essence, that games may be stopped by any of
the following:
- the Controlling Body (e.g. the Games Director may ring the bell to stop play during a heavy downpour,
lightning, bad light, etc)
- the umpire on an appeal from a player (a player may bring an issue such as bad light, lightning, etc to the
attention of the umpire and ask that play be halted)
- the players amongst themselves (in the absence of any other over-riding official) may agree to stop play
With these avenues already provided, Corinda Bowls Club Inc, conscious of its duty of care to members, provides
these additional guidelines as a means of helping members decide on their own response to certain conditions, as
individuals vary according to their levels of fitness, age, and general health
Guidelines to Extreme Heat
Individual players should be aware that adverse reactions to extreme heat can result from any combination of
factors, including exercise intensity, dehydration, humidity, high temperatures, and ultraviolet radiation.
Corinda Bowls Club Inc has provided a range of strategies to help players avoid adverse reactions by supplying
adequate drinking water, sunscreen, encouraging the wearing of hats, sunglasses and other protective clothing,
and the use of shade covers provided by the club. No member is compelled to continue playing if they are
adversely affected by existing weather conditions.
Guideline to Response to Lightning
Based on the speed of sound, any thunder that follows a lightning flash in under 30 seconds indicates that the
lightning is closer than 10 kilometres away. This is considered a dangerous proximity, and it would be wise to
cease play until at least 30 minutes have elapsed. This is known as the 30/30 rule of thumb which can be used if
access to the Bureau of Meteorology website does not give adequate information for the local area. The 30/30 rule
refers firstly to the time in seconds that has elapsed between lightning flash and thunder and is indicative that play
should cease, and the second 30 refers to the length of time in minutes that should be free of lightning activity
before play resumes.
Guidelines to Other Extreme Factors
Other extreme conditions could result from dust or smoke which could have adverse effects on members with
breathing difficulties. Players are advised that there is no compulsion to continue playing if individual levels of
comfort are severely compromised. Players have the option of themselves withdrawing from play or requesting the
Ruling Body or Umpire to stop play in accordance with Rule 50 of the „Laws of the Sport of Bowls”
General Principles in relation to Extreme Conditions of any kind
The Corinda Bowls Club Inc by means of this document tries to ensure that players are aware of their own
individual responsibilities to prepare for play in conditions which may cause them individual physical stress; to
encourage players to use the water, sunscreen, and shade provided, and to wear clothing suitable to the
conditions; to reassure players that no pressure will be placed on a player to continue play, but also that the
Controlling Body has the right under the “Laws of the Sport of Bowls” to bring play to a halt should conditions
warrant.
