Restart Windsurf and other Watersports

Allow drive a short distance to a localbeach to go Windsurf or practice other safe water sports.

Windsurfing is a safe healthy sport that naturally enforces social distance.

Why the contribution is important

At the moment if I want to exercise I'm constraint to go running in my local area.

I live in Leith and I would feel safer if I could drive a short distance to a local beach and go out windsurfing where there is plenty of space then go for a run or walk in water of Leith which is always packed with people running, cycling or walking the dogs and is hard to keep the distance.

by costap on May 05, 2020 at 05:35PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.8
Based on: 26 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Mkyw May 05, 2020 at 19:22

    I agree with the above. Windsurfing and other similar water sports are relatively low risk sports. In my opinion there is less risk of requiring any emergency services than cycling. Travel within 30 miles to a local beach where windsurfing or similar can be carried out should be allowed. The sport naturally is carried out with way more distance than the social distancing requirements and the mental well-being felt from doing such sports is a massive benefit and stress reliever. I live in midlothian and if I want to go for a walk, run etc it is impossible to keep social distancing 2m at all times. Currently this is allowed, but water sports where there are very large distances between participants is not. The risk is very low, but the benefit for the participants huge for exercise, mental health and wellbeing.

  • Posted by SconeBurns May 05, 2020 at 19:34

    I agree that windsurfing and other solitary sports should be allowed. However, I am not in favour of keeping restrictions of movement to local areas once the virus levels have been reduced. I do think in the initial stages, if travelling outside one's local area is allowed for recreational purposes it should be limited to a journey which can be reasonably completed in a 4 hour round trip by car.

    I believe that people are more educated about social distancing now than before lock down and that fact will have an impact on virus transmission provided the message is constantly reinforced. Society has not been tested on the impact that social distancing will have when virus levels are down and things return to new form of normal. It is likely the vast majority of virus transmissions occurred before social distancing and lock down were established.

    I do think, however that some form of management of parking would be prudent, particularly at popular hot spots.

  • Posted by James May 06, 2020 at 12:26

    Also think we should be allowed to travel a moderate distance to do this. Not everybody lives by a beach!

  • Posted by Macdpb May 06, 2020 at 12:38

    Agree that individual watersports, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, swimming etc should be permitted as much sea water which is surely a good cleanser anyway.... much social isolation inherent at all times and far more so than the current crowded cycle paths etc. Usually these enthusiasts go to isolated places and tend to be responsible folk.

  • Posted by andywindsurf May 06, 2020 at 19:25

    Travel is travel. Where is the difference between 15mins 'local' drive and the drive that inland regular persuants make in terms of safety/spread, if they remain more than adequately distanced at all times?

  • Posted by dave2244 May 08, 2020 at 12:05

    The problem with any watersport is that if a person has an accident while partaking, it requires a response from the RNLI and Coastguard together with the paramedics and possibly police. The rescuers are forced into close proximity and social distancing is impossible to maintain in a boat or rescue vehicle. This puts them at risk of exposure and can take whole teams offline, leaving no resources for safety cover along the coast.

    I appreciate that no one sets out to enjoy their chosen activity with a view to having an accident, but these things happen. Plus, it may not be you that has the incident but a person who is less competent and has been influenced into going out by seeing others participating the the activity.
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