Evans Head - Casino
Surf Life Saving Club
... on the beach since 1922 ...
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Events:
HITTING THE
BEACH: Evans Head - Casino surfboat crew
WINTER training proved profitable for Evans Head surf boat crews at Yamba’s centenary carnival late last month. With prize money on the table a good turn-out was expected, and while numbers weren’t quite as high as organizers would have liked, the level of competition was good.. Crews came from as far north as Tannum Sands, near Galdstone, Mooloolaba and Currumbin, while Coogee represented Sydney and other powerful crews included McMasters Beach. However, the far North Coast Branch took home the lion’s share of winnings – a rare thing in surf boat racing, where victors usually get only a slap on the back and the chance to enter a shout. Evans Head won the masters division and turned around with much the same crew to take out the reserve division, taking home $1150. Brunswick won the open division while Yamba girls won the women’s open followed closely by Byron Bay. The day was a pearler, after a week of rough southerly, and a left-over 1.5m swell was just joggly enough to provide a challenge to boats on Pippi Beach. Yamba organisers must be congratulated for arranging a terrific day, with so many events: Ski and board marathon as well as beach events and of course the boats. Evans Head crews have been busy training in the off season, taking advantage of Lismore Rowing Club’s stalwarts Peter Wallace and John Power. Flat water rowing is a precise discipline and its frustratingly finicky technique give surf boat rowers a clear edge, once they punch through the shore break. Surfboat rowing has a long and rich history. Did you know that half a century before surf clubs were established boat crews dashed through the surf to reach arriving square-rigged ships, bearing news of foreign wars and promising rich orders of fresh meat and vegetables, chandlery items and the rest? Those crews were tough and dedicated and their boats were built light, long and lean. When you see surf boat crews on the beach this summer you will see living history played out in a way that does not exist outside of Australia and New Zealand. Having said that some European clubs are getting involved with surfboats and we may see a global rebirth of this great sport yet. If anyone wants to have a go at surf boat rowing the Evans Head – Casino Surflifesaving Club has a number of bronze medallion courses running throughout the year. Inquire by emailing the club at evanssurflifesaving@bigpond.com
32km long-shore marathon start of things to come
Saturday, September 13: Evans Head - Casino Surf Club held what we hope may become an annual event for our little organisation: A picnic race from Ballina to Evans Head, about 32km. Next year it may start from Woody Head, near Iluka - it all depends on wind direction. And we'll run more shorter course races to include all ocean lovers. But for this year it was a terrific outing with just a very few starters. Peter Jacobsen from Ballina joined us in his South African ocean ski and blitzed the Australian surf boat by 32 minutes. Mind you, the surf boat crew of five - Nick Rose, Chris Snel, Brett Farmer, Mick Robson and Jamie Brown - took several breaks, swapping positions, grabbing drinks and snacks and going for a swim. We heard whales underwater loud and clear off Patches Beach. Peter Meanwhile got up close and personal with a humpback closer to Broadwater. Peter paddled straight through, sucking succulence from a Camel-Pack and managed to seal with a short, sometimes steep north-east sea. and this despite a slightly damaged rudder, inflicted on his Epic by a Croker oar. It doesn't pay to get too close to to a surf boat in a seaway!
Peter Jacobsen doesn't even look puffed!. The bloke with a radio in his hand is Ben Redman, who kindly volunteered his skills as a lifeguard, patrolling the 32km of beach as we travelled offshore.
Chris Snel sweep the crew in through a nor'east slop after a little more than three hours on the water.
Well done lads. And more to come!
Times: Peter Jacobsen in a Epic V10 Ocean Ski: 3h08m Evans Head surf boat crew in a DKG surfboat: 3h42m
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