Competition Competitive Sections Surf Boats
Roosters River Run Featured
Saturday, 15 October 2011 02:18
The boaties have been busy training all winter and have just completed their first competition for the season - the 14km Roosters River Run down the Georges River.
Two crews raced in the Open Men's and Reserve Men's divisions. The guys are preparing for the upcoming George Bass Surfboat Marathon to be held over a whole week on the south coast in January.
There's a lot of hard work to be done yet, but the boys are keen and persistently training hard!
The first proper surf carnivals begin within the next 2 weeks.
Introduction to Surf Boats
Friday, 14 October 2011 20:25Men of steel - boats of wood!
Well, not quite, at least not anymore. Modern surfboat racing is based much more on the science and technique of rowing, and there are nearly as many women as men taking up the sport.
The boat area of a surf carnival is where the action is. Traditionally a rescue craft and superseded by the IRB, a surf boat is now used primarily for competition. Where boats were once made from wood, modern vessels are constructed of fiberglass and equipped with carbon oars. Surf boat crews consist of four rowers and a sweep.
Starting in the shallows (in heats of six) the crews leap into their boats rowing out through the break, urged on and steered by their sweep to the turning buoys some 400M out to sea. Turning the cans they head for home chasing any wave the sea will offer to be first to the line back at the beach.
Surf boat rowing is an adrenaline sport - especially when the surf is pumping – and is not for the faint hearted. Breaking through the surf and cracking the waves to shore are all important parts of winning a race. Physical strength and fitness are desirable attributes, though equally important is the ability to be a part of a team.
Divisions of surfboat racing include Open Men’s and Women’s, Reserves, Colts (U21) and Juniors (U19). There are also several Masters Divisions (see Masters). You must be 16 years or older to row a surf boat.
