Bringing the boats ashore at the end of the Moruya to Turos leg of the event. Photo by Peter O’Brien.
The George Bass Surf Boat Marathon, said to be the longest and toughest surf boat race in the world, is one of the most brutal sporting events I have ever witnessed.
In late December, the 2020 George Bass Race was canceled after two days of the seven-day competition due to horrific wildfires on the South Coast. His first leg began on Sunday 29 December at Batemans Bay, arriving at Moruya for an overnight stay. That leg is 31 km of hard rowing. And that’s just the beginning.
Not for the faint of heart. 2020 George Bass helping out at the end of the second leg of his marathon.
The ferocity of the sea and the resilience of the crew was evident at the end of the second leg as the row of boats, 19 km from Moruya, headed for Tulos Head. 140 km to go!
The intensity of the race saw more than 400 competitors signed up, the second largest field since 1990, and there was a sense of anticipation with just five days left before the finish at Eden.
When they reached the Tuross Head coastline around 9am, the crew had little idea how the rest of the race would unfold.
They unknowingly had just finished the last leg of this year’s race.
The marathon was canceled Tuesday morning. But competitors did not relax.
The surf boat crew adapted quickly. They help with first aid and cooking in shelters, extinguish spotfires and position boats on shore in case flames and smoke enter and people are pushed out to sea. and acted as a first responder.
The surf club community has effectively met the challenge by applying its much-needed expertise to this critical situation.
Once the ashes settled, several options were explored to make up for the lost races this year.
As this is a biennial event, there are no races scheduled for 2021.
A Viking crew makes its way to the shores of Tulos Head.
Gavin Hunt, a veteran of the George Bass Marathon, says one option is to run next year, but he says logistics and costs won’t make that happen.
This is understandable by the focus on safety and the number of support personnel required, as well as the commitment of the clubs involved. Remember, clubs come from afar for this event.In 2020, crews who came all the way from the Top End.
With wildfires closing Kings Highway, followed by COVID-19 closures and the cancellation of most carnivals, it’s been a tough time for South Coast surf clubs.
Brulee Surf Club club captain Andrew Edmonds has said he is optimistic about the season starting in September, but there is a sense of the unknown in the midst of the COVID-19 shutdown.
Originally published by Tim Gavel on The RiotACT.
