COASTAL rowers in Musselburgh were back on the waves last week as the Scottish Government eased Covid-19 restrictions.

They were delighted to be able to take to the Firth of Forth at Fisherrow in their two boats Honesty and Steedie Falconer, which had been on dry land for five months.

Gaynor Allen, chairperson of Eskmuthe Rowing Club, said: “It was amazing to be back on the water again.

“We have already had 14 members back out and, although there were a few anxieties about the new rules and regulations, the first row was magic.

“We took to the water just before sunset on a flat, calm evening.

“We were all totally buzzing afterwards.”

The committee was not anticipating getting back to rowing for some time but had been working on a risk assessment just in case.

Gaynor added: “We have produced a risk assessment and clear guidelines to keep everyone safe and have also appointed our club captain, Georgina Brown, as Covid officer.

“We are determined to put the safety of all club members first. This includes the cox wearing a mask and possibly a face shield, and the stroke has the option of doing the same.

“We have bought cup holders for people to keep their hand sanitiser close and basically sanitise before and after we do anything.

“Getting the boat ready and putting it back takes longer and has to be more regimented, with lots of cleaning at every point.

“We were worried that this would take away the fun, but this has definitely not happened. The smiles on everyone’s faces proved this.”

Georgina added: “There is a lot of responsibility to get the club rowing in a pandemic, but our committee has worked hard to make this as safe as possible and to keep the fun in our sport.”

Research carried out on coastal rowing by the University of St Andrews’ Rowing The Waves team has shown the sport is good for people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Professor Nina Laurie from the university said: “This is a sport that is all about community and inclusion.

“There is something about being on the water and being in a small boat with four other rowers that is good for people. The moving meditation gives rowers a deep sense of wellbeing.”