Surfboats Smashed

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday January 3, 2008

By CHRIS ROOTS

LIFESAVERS rescued more than 30 of their own as huge surf played havoc with the start of the George Bass Surfboat Marathon at Narooma yesterday.

Race director Bert Hunt said lifesavers were stretched to the limit as several crews were tossed into the shore break, delaying the start of the leg to Bermagui by more than an hour.

Narooma, North Steyne and Tathra suffered damage to their boats and oars trying to get to the start line out to sea, while three inflatable rescue boats (IRB) overturned in the big surf.

"It was a great example of lifesavers doing what they do best in very tough conditions," Hunt said. "Everyone pulled together on the beach to make sure the crews and paddlers got out of the surf."

As the IRBs were out of action, every available person on the beach joined the effort to rescue surfboat crews and ski paddlers.

Bulli, which eventually won the leg, was one of the only boats to get out cleanly but sweep Paul Jones called it "carnage".

"We were sitting out the back waiting for everyone to get to the start line and all we could see was boats floating back to the beach," he said.

The "carnage" included Tasmanian crew Burnie narrowly avoiding a collision with an IRB which had rolled on a wave in front of it.

Another two IRBs rolled over as they went to the aid of the Tathra crew and three ski paddlers.

"The start of the race was out to sea as usual and all the trouble came before the crews started racing," Hunt said.

"It is a part of the George Bass, battling the conditions, because it is an ocean race.

"Once we got started the conditions were perfect with a north-east swell and a trailing breeze."

Narooma sweep Max Young suffered a head injury as his sweep oar snapped and the boat rolled over but he got back in the boat and raced to Bermagui.

Several rowers received medical treatment before the race started but all crews completed the 24km leg.

The drama came after the Canberra Vikings and North Steyne crews were rescued on Monday, while the New Year's Day leg was completed on Lake Corunna because of dangerous conditions.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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