About Surf Boats

Initially, the surf boat was used in rescues in big seas, however the introduction of inshore rescue boats (IRB’s) meant that the surfboat was no longer deemed a rescue craft. But intense regional, state and national boat competition and the incredible commitment and enthusiasm of thousands of participants, and in recent years a massive increase in female crew members, has kept this challenging and thrilling sport alive.

In fact, it’s booming; boaties are a culture within the SLSC culture. They have the reputation as being the ‘hard’ men and women of the SLSC. But they are also the butt of dumb jokes. There’s an old line about recruiting boat crews. To pick a crew, club members are lined up and have house bricks thrown at them. The ones that don’t duck are selected to row. And for some reason the surfboat crews have always been associated with the larrikin element of the clubhouse.

Surf boat races involve four rowers and a sweep in an eight-metre surf boat, with a maximum of seven crews in each race. The course consists of a start in approx knee depth water, then a 400m row out to sea before rounding a turning buoy and then a 400m return back to the waters edge.

Competition

The Lorne SLSC has a very proud history in the sport of Surf Boat Rowing, with multiple State, National and World Titles to our credit. As a section we are always striving to get the best out of each other, whilst having a lot of fun along the way.

Over the coming summer season our rowers will be competing at all the local carnivals, while also travelling along the eastern seaboard of Australia to Mollymook, Manly, Freshwater and Wollongong.

Our season culminates with the State Championships in March and a trip to the Gold Coast or Perth for the Australian Championships in late March or April.

Results

• Latest results are being collated for publication in a  few weeks
• 2009
  • 3rd Australian Masters Championships 220yrs
  • 2nd Open Men Victorian Championships
  • 4th Open Men Victorian Championships
  • 4th Open Women Victorian Championships
  • 4th Reserve Grade Victorian Championships
• 2008
  • 1st U/23 Victorian Championships
  • 1st Reserve Grade Victorian Championships
• 2007
  • 1st U/18 Victorian Championships
• 2006
  • 1st Reserve Grade Victorian Championships
  • 1st U/23 Victorian Championships
  • 3rd World Masters Championships 180yrs
  • 4th Open Men World Life Saving Championships
• 2005
  • 1st Reserve Grade Victorian Championships
  • 1st U/19 Victorian Championships
• 2004
  • 1st Open Men World Life Saving Championships
  • 1st U/19 Victorian Championships
  • 1st Reserve Grade Victorian Championships
• 2003
  • 1st Open Men Victorian Championships
• 2002
  • 3rd Open Men Australian Championships
  • 3rd U/21 Australian Championships
• 2001
  • 1st U/19 Victorian Championships
  • 1st U/21 Victorian Championships
• 2000
  • 1st U/18 Australian Championships
  • 1st U/18 Victorian Championships
  • 1st U/21 Victorian Championships
• 1999
  • 1st U/18 Victorian Championships
  • 1st Australian Masters Championships 180yrs
• 1997
  • 1st Open Men Victorian Championships
• 1996
  • 1st Australian Masters Championships 160yrs
• 1995
  • 1st Open Men Victorian Championships
  • 1st U/21 Victorian Championships
  • 1st Australian Masters Championships 160yrs
• Older results are being collated for publication in a few months

Getting Involved

The Boat Section is currently looking to fill seats for the coming 2009/2010 Season with the aim of having at least one crew in each division. These are U/19, U/23 men, U/23 women, Open women, Reserve Grade Men and Open Men along with the masters categories which start with an average age of 30 (120yrs) and go up to 60 (240yrs).  With sweeps both on the Coast and in Melbourne why not give it a try because who knows what may lie ahead! Think Big, Aim High!

We would especially like to field crews in the underage divisions as they are our future so if you are over 16, hold your bronze medallion would like to compete for the club or even just have a social row don’t hesitate to get in contact and we will organise for you to get involved!

To get involved in the Lorne SLSC boat rowing team, simply contact our boat area captain