Rowers Conquer 50 Years of Endurance and Camaraderie

Hundreds of rowers, exhausted and exhilarated, have crossed the finish line of the George Bass Surfboat Marathon, a grueling 190-kilometer race that is considered the toughest and longest surfboat race in the world. The seven-day journey began in Batemans Bay, New South Wales, and concluded in Eden on January 4th.

The marathon, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is deeply rooted in surf life saving culture. Participants, representing surf life saving clubs from across Australia and New Zealand, battled against currents, swells, wind, and the sun for seven days straight.

"Wind, swell, chop, dolphins, seals, albatrosses. You name it, we had it," said Rachael Reid, a rower from the Paekakariki Surf Club team in New Zealand.

South Curl Curl Surf Life Saving Club and Portsea took home gold in the open men's and women's surfboat categories, respectively. Veterans and super veterans also competed, with Tathra and Moruya winning the men's and women's veterans categories, and Tallebudgera and Avalon taking the top spots in the super veterans categories.

The weather conditions were challenging, with strong southerly winds forcing race organizers to reverse the course on two days. The shortest leg was 19 kilometers, while the longest was 36 kilometers.

Each surfboat has four rowers and a sweep, accompanied by a support boat carrying four other teammates. Rowers swap places with their teammates every 30 minutes, ensuring everyone shares the burden of the race.

71-year-old Chris Mercer, a veteran of the George Bass Marathon, reflected on the challenges of the race. "The rowing part is OK, the problem these days is getting into the boat because I haven't got the upper strength anymore," he said.

22-year-old Kane Butterfield encountered a painful encounter with bluebottles during the race, resulting in swelling and difficulty walking.

Nostalgia was evident at the finish line, with some participants contemplating whether this was their last race. Gavin Granger, who rowed solo in the surf ski category, shared an emotional embrace with his wife at the finish line.

The George Bass Surfboat Marathon is a testament to the physical and mental strength of the participants, and a celebration of the camaraderie and spirit of surf life saving. It is a grueling challenge, but the sense of accomplishment and the bonds forged along the way make it an unforgettable experience.