By rights I should be thoroughly fed up. The last time I managed to get out on the river was back in October, when there were still leaves on the trees and the sun was shining brightly. First there was the Welsh firebreaker lockdown which closed our club. This was swiftly followed by the English one which kept me out of Wales, peeping enviously over the border at my Welsh crewmates enjoying a paddle. Then just as the lockdown lifted and I’d booked myself in for a row, I learned I’d been exposed to covid and had to self-isolate for a fortnight. Finally this week, released from quarantine at last, I booked in again, only to discover the river was too high and a flood alert had been issued. And then this afternoon we heard that Wales is going back into lockdown tonight so the club is closing indefinitely.

So why is it, then, that I’ve got a spring in my step? Why am I feeling perky, cheery, chipper and tippety top? Two words: Zoom Ergos. You may recall I mentioned this genius scheme in a post a few weeks ago when it was still in its infancy. In case you missed it, it’s a clever idea whereby rowers from all around the country (and increasingly, from around the world), often on ergos borrowed from their clubs, get on their ergs and row together on Zoom, often led by a Rower of Stature.

Since that early post, I’ve done long, steady state pieces with Jess Eddie (braving the cold in a frosty garden), started my Mondays with a series of short, sharp shocks with Guin Batten and rowed at Henley and on the Tideway via the vivid imagination of Matthew Pinsent. I’ve done full body circuit sessions that include erg intervals. I’ve learned technique from the ever-patient Naomi Riches which have helped me start to correct my habit of leaning back too far. I’ve waved at Andrew Triggs Hodges’ (adorable) children, all dressed up as elves, and joined Pete Reed in rehab for half an hour on the ski-erg for him and the erg for the rest of us.

I’ve spotted pals from my own club and others around the globe and pre-arranged to meet crewmates there. I’ve made new friends, too, who one day I hope to meet in person. I’ve got fitter than I’ve been in a long while – the combination of intervals, medium length pieces and extended UT2 sessions has meant there’s been nowhere to hide. And without even noticing it I’ve made peace with the rowing machine once and for all, to the point that I actually look forward to climbing aboard.

Best of all, I’ve felt connected with the rowing world in a way I was starting to lose, despite my best efforts to stay in touch with my squad. The sense of community that has grown up in a few short months has been quite phenomenal.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Zoom Ergos has saved my sanity. What could have been a thoroughly disheartening season has instead been full of interest, excitement, exertion and connection. My husband keeps remarking on how cheerful I am, with a note of surprise in his voice (as well as asking each night, with an equal note of trepidation, whether I’m getting up early to row the next morning – I haven’t yet broken to him that I’m even doing a session on Christmas Eve!)

I sincerely hope it will continue in some format in the long term (though I appreciate we can’t expect the session leaders to keep showing up on such a regular basis indefinitely).

But in the meantime, whatever the logistics, this is just a huge thank you. Thank you to the organiser(s) – I now have a hunch who you are, but I’m still not ABSOLUTELY sure. Thank you to the generous rowers, both rowing-royalty and commoner, who’ve taken the time to lead the sessions for no reward other than the gratitude of the participants. And thank you to the rowing friends, old and new, who’ve rowed alongside me and kept me company. I don’t know what I’d have done without you all.