From the clubs inception some 70 years ago, Point Leo has a proud tradition in Surfboat rowing competitions at both state and national level.
Surfboat rowing is as ‘Aussie’ as the meat pie, iconic and the backbone of most Lifesaving Clubs. The first surfboat race was held at Manly Beach in 1908. Prior to the introduction of the IRB and Jet Ski’s, surf lifesavers used to row wooden long boats out through the surf to rescue stranded swimmers. As with all developed surf rescue craft, interclub rivalry was the basis of competition and used as a way for surf lifesaving crews to stay sharp for rescues. With surfboat racing, the aim of the game is to row your boat out through the surf and turn around, then catch a wave back to shore. The first boat back to the beach wins. Sounds simple, right? Actually, it’s anything but.
A crew is made of five members: four rowers and a sweep. The sweep stands at the back of the boat and steers using a long oar. The remaining four crew members have one oar each – it’s their job to haul the craft out through the surf and back to the beach. The rowing technique is almost identical to the flatwater rowing that you see at the Olympics, with the added impediments of waves, chop and wind. (So always technically, a big challenge for all participants).
To join a surfboat crew at Point Leo you will need to join the club and be an active member. That involves holding a bronze medallion in surf rescue and conducting regular beach patrols. From there, surfboat crews are allocated during the competition training. Point Leo has all crew abilities from Juniors, Elite, Masters and Social crews.
We welcome all club members to be involved in the boat section, email surfboats@pointleoslsc.com.au for further information.
Some images courtesy: Andy Berry photography with thanks.
