SURF BOATS

Surfboats
A surfboat is an oar-driven boat designed to enter the ocean from the beach in heavy surf or severe waves. Originally they were used in lifesaving or rescue missions where the most expedient access to victims was directly from the beach.

What is Surf Boat Racing?
Surf boat racing is one of the most spectacular events in Surf Life Saving competitions. Each surfboat is manned by four rowers and is steered by a sweep. Crews compete head to head racing from the beach, rowing through the surf into open water and turning at a designated set of turning buoys or cans. After rounding the cans, the crews race back to the beach each keeping in their lane or alley. As the surfboat nears the beach the aim is to catch a wave and surf to shore whilst the sweep steers the boat to keep it upright and on the face of the wave. Surfboat races are conducted on a weekly basis throughout the Australian summer and hundreds of boat crews take part.

Surfboat competitions offer members the chance to test their skills and fitness against the very best lifesavers in Australia. Competitors have the opportunity to travel across the State and Country to attend numerous local and interstate carnivals. In order to compete each athlete must have a minimum qualification of a Bronze Medallion and meet the patrol hour requirements according to their membership category.

For more information on surf boat rowing in Australia you can visit the Australian Surf Rowers League website.

Our Proud History
Manly Lifesaving Club has a long and proud history in the sport of surfboat rowing and surf lifesaving in Australia. Manly Surf Club held the first ever surfboat race during the Manly Surf Club Carnival in January 1908, using boats borrowed from ships in the harbour.

The Sly family from Fairy Bower were the first unofficial lifesavers for the hoards of bathers that began flocking to Manly beach at the start of the 1900s. Using a double ended ship’s boat they cut off part of the stern and sat out beyond the breakers performing rescue and patrol work for the Manly club.

Fred Notting, the Boat Captain of the newly formed Manly Life Saving Club, adapted this boat to the local conditions. This Manly LSC surfboat was twenty feet long, double ended and had an exaggerated spring in the keel. The surfboat also had a quarter-bar to enable Notting to gain leverage to keep the boat straight on a wave.

Since that time Manly LSC has won two gold medals in the Open Surfboats in the 1927-28 and 1948-49 seasons, as well as numerous championship titles and medals across all the divisions. Most recently the Open Women’s crew won a silver medal at the Australian Championships in the 2010-11 season, click here to watch the race.

Our Club Today
Manly LSC has numerous Branch, State and National Championship competitors in its ranks and enjoys an enviable reputation as a force in surfboats. The Club offers professional coaching to all levels of skill and membership to assist our next generation of athletes to develop to their full potential.

Manly currently has crews rowing and competing in the following divisions:

• Under 19 Men
• Under 23 Men
•  Under 23 Women
• Reserves Men
•  Open Women
•  Open Men
•  Masters

Ocean Thunder
Ocean Thunder is a summer series of high profile professional Surf Boat events, usually restricted to 24 elite Open Men’s crews and 12 elite Open Women’s crews. This competition is specifically developed for television viewing with a format that is high impact, extreme and entertaining. The crews race off the beach through the surf break and return for a beach run finish.

In 2011-12 Manly LSC has the Sawfish (Open Men’s crew) and Starfish (Open Women’s crew) entered in this series. For more information, click here

Contact Us
This season the Joint Boat Captains are Alex Hill and Tim Meurer. However all boat rowers would be happy to talk to current or prospective members about the great sport of surfboat rowing. Newcomers are always welcome.

For information about boat crews contact the administration office on 9977 2742 or e-mail admin@manlylsc.com

Acknowledgements
All rowers and sweeps, past and present, have contributed to the success of the Surfboat section of the Manly LSC. However we wish to record special thanks for the generous support of:

• John Hicks and Australian Cable Tray Systems
•  Matt Clymer and Clymer Surfboats