Anglesea SLSC will be well represented in the upcoming 2010 XV1 George Bass Surfboat Marathon to take place in NSW during early January 2010.

The George Bass Marathon is the longest and toughest surfboat race in the world covering a distance of around 200 kms over 7 days. The race commemorates the journey undertaken by explorer Surgeon Commander George Bass in 1797 who, with a six man crew, travelled down the east coast of NSW and around the southern tip of Victoria.

The Marathon commences at Bateman’s Bay on January 3rd and finishes a week later at Eden.

Some 30 crews are registered for the race with competitors from Australia, New Zealand and the possibility of a crew from Whitby in the UK, the birthplace of Capt Cook.

Anglesea has two crews competing including a ladies crew comprising Sarah Griffin, Emily Centra, Renae Stefanatti, Edwina Banks-Anderson, Liz Hayes and Jacki Gregory (joining our ladies from the Warilla club). It is expected that another couple of ladies crew members from NSW will also combine with the Anglesea crew for this gruelling event.  A second crew will consist of the Anglesea Masters crew of Ian McGain, Barry White, Richard Holding and Ian Smith who commenced their rowing careers at Anglesea during the 1960’s and early 1970’s and who will be supported by Matin O’Grady and Steven Mitchell, both in their first year of surfboat rowing. Sweeps for the crews will be Neil Heathcote and his nephew, Lincoln. This Marathon will prove to be the ultimate challenge for all rowers with testing weather and surf conditions likely to be experienced during the week’s racing.

Both crews have been training intensively for the event with the ladies crew in action at Port Melbourne most mornings while the Masters crew have been taking on some long distance work including training rows from Lorne to Anglesea, and from Anglesea to Torquay.

Follow the progress of our rowers via the George Bass Marathon Website or check out Ian McGains updates below.

George Bass Marathon - Update 1