AN OLYMPIC rowing hopeful has been given an introduction to East Lothian’s coastal waters.

Calum Forrest, who is trialling for the Team GB Olympic rowing team, was visiting his grandparents Elizabeth and Robin Forrest, who come from Dunbar.

The 18-year-old is captain of boats for Abingdon School in Oxfordshire, and will compete at the world-famous Henley Royal Regatta in Henley-on-Thames this summer.

Dunbar Coastal Rowing Club launched two skiffs during Calum’s visit earlier this month and he took an oar to row out to the Poo Buoy and back, then zoomed through The Yetts and Johnston’s Hole.

A spokesperson for the rowing club wished the teenager well and said: “He discovered that our Scottish coastal rowing boats are heavier, more seaworthy and better able to take big swells, tides and bad weather, and we have the advantage of visiting tankers offshore, local rivers and summer fishing too.

“Calum’s sculls and shells are university-type and row only on sheltered waters with no swell or significant tide.

“Coastal rowing skiffs are an older craft and require a different skill set – these Vikings knew a thing or two about the North Sea.”

Back on dry land, the rowers toasted the day with a few beers at the Volunteer Arms.