Navy George Bass Surfboat Marathon

Canberra Vikings undefeated in Navy George Bass

Canberra Vikings take out Navy George Bass

The Canberra Vikings have made history, being the first team in 29 years to take out the Navy George Bass Marathon undefeated. The last time was in 1981, when Moruya took out the iconic 190-kilometre, 7-day event from Batemans Bay to Eden.

This year, Vikings made easy pickings of their nearest competitors Bulli and Wollongong City.

In the Women's division again it was the Canberra Vikings crew combined with Metropolitan Caloundra who took out top honour fending off fierce competition from the Woolamai 1st and 2nds crew, who came second and third respectively overall.

Sydney crew North Steyne bounced back after being beaten by Narooma yesterday in the Veterans, finishing first overall, with Bulli and Narooma fighting for second and third spot.

Stephen Mawby from Noosa Heads, paddling in his third ski marathon claimed top prize in that event, while Peter Gallagher from Mooloolaba and Craig Vipond from Kiama finished second and third.

Winning Men's sweep Gavin Hunt said it was extra special to take out every leg.
"We last took out the event in 2006, but I think we dropped one of those legs, so for us to be able to back it up through the whole week was really good," he said.

"We worked our guts out yesterday trying to get the record, and were feeling fatigued today when Wollongong and Bulli really gave it to us. We had to dig in really hard to win today."

Canberra Vikings on the verge of Bass history

The Canberra Vikings remain undefeated in the Navy George Bass

The Canberra Vikings surfboat team could become only the third crew ever to take out every leg of the treacherous Navy George Bass marathon.

The Vikings, if they win the next three legs, would be the first club to twice finish the Bass undefeated. They last took out every leg in the 2006 marathon, while the Moruya Surf Club remained undefeated in 1981.

With four wins from four days, marathon director Bert Hunt said taking out every leg had to be something the Vikings were aiming towards.
"They're getting pretty close to cementing victory overall so now they'd have to be putting everything they had into winning every leg," he said.

Mr Hunt said taking out every leg is a pretty rare but amazing achievement.
"To take out one leg is hard enough, but to take out every leg - that requires not just physical toughness, but the mental capacity to compete a marathon every day for a whole week.

Tight racing in day three of Navy George Bass

Moruya girls crash through huge wave off Tuross

Day three of the Navy George Bass went down to the wire with the Canberra Vikings taking out the Open division and Woolamai defeating Canberra/ Caloundra in the Women's race by just two seconds.

In the eventful day Vikings rower Luke Price came to the aid of two crews in difficulty showing incredible sportsmanship.
The Bermagui combined ladies and veterans' crew had difficulty navigating through the surf. They were struck by a three-metre wave off Colia, throwing the sweep overboard. Luke, along with Broulee member Rhys Harris rowed the boat through the treacherous surf crew so they could continue the race. The conditions were that bad the 200 odd spectators applauded when they made it out safely. Luke's generosity didn't end there however, as the Vikings Rower volunteered to sweep the Anglesea Veterans after their sweep withdrew from the race with a back injury.

"I think the great thing about the Bass is everyone is such a strong team - not just within their own crew, but the whole organisation chips in and does everything needed from feeding rowers, massages, or helping out opposition crews when they are short of rowers," Mr Price said.

"I think every competitor, especially the new ones, are getting an idea of how the Bass works and how it really takes a whole team effort."

Surf continues to test rowers during day two

Broulee Canberra crew surf a 2 metre wave at Coila Beach

Competitors in the Navy George Bass marathon continued to be tested by 2-metre surf off Moruya beach and at Coila Beach, Tuross Head, this morning.

Defending champions Woolamai suffered a blow early on capsizing off Moruya beach. Their boat was damaged and three seats had to be replaced before they could commence the race.

Once at sea, rowers enjoyed calmer conditions than for the opening leg yesterday.

Seas were running on a southerly swell of about 2 metres, with a slight southwesterly breeze blowing.

The Canberra Vikings built on the foundation they laid yesterday taking out the Open Men. Bulli ran in second with Wollongong just seconds behind in third place.

Marathon Director, Bert Hunt said the racing was incredibly tight today.

Woolamai crew members fly out of their boat after capsizing off Moruya

"In the Women's division we saw the Vikings and Woolamai continue to battle for first place, and all the way down the line the crews continually change positions."
"It was fantastic racing."

The mens race was just as close, but the Canberra Vikings managed to overpower Bulli off Burri Point.
"Bulli just weren't able to catch them, and the Vikings showed what a powerful crew they are. If they're able to continue this form over the next few days they will be very hard to beat."

Sydney crew North Steyne pipped Narooma to the post by only a six second margin to take out first place in the veterans.

The marathon continues tomorrow from Tuross to Narooma and conditions are expected to test rowers again.
"Narooma and Colia both have interesting surf breaks and will no doubt challenge rowers more than today, so they'll need to be on their toes," Mr Hunt concluded.

Rowers suffer hypothermia, seasickness in opening leg of George Bass Marathon.

Navy George Bass leg one winners Moruya Vikings

A strong southerly, and swells of up to three metres tested many rowers in the opening leg of the Navy George Bass Marathon.

Today's leg, from Batemans Bay to Moruya took some crews close to four hours to complete, almost double the time normally needed for this leg.

The conditions took their toll, with a rower from Narooma rushed to shore suffering hypothermia. On arriving at the Moruya River, she was treated by ambulance personnel. Meanwhile, St John Volunteers treated two Pambula rowers for seasickness.

Visiting international crew Surf Boat Holland faced a tough time when their support boat broke down shortly after the race commenced. This limited their ability to utilise reserve rowers and led to them finishing last.

Race director Bert Hunt said conditions were quite difficult at sea.
"We had good two to three metre swells knocking the crew members about," he said.
"It was tough going, but the rowers showed their strength and courage and continued on with the race."

In the Open Men division, Bulli and the Canberra Vikings fought oar for oar for first place, until Canberra pulled away towards the end of the race.

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Click on the "Read More" button below for more on the 1st day's action and to see the Leg 1 results

Rowers prepare for difficult conditions as Navy George Bass commences in Batemans Bay

The 2010 Navy George Bass kicks off in Batemans Bay

The 2010 Navy George Bass Marathon kicks off this Sunday in Batemans Bay. The grueling 190 kilometre race, the world's longest and toughest surf boat marathon will be run over seven days, finishing in Eden on January 9.

A total of 23 male and female surf boat teams are taking part in this year event, with strong competition from NSW, VIC, ACT and QLD expected across all divisions.

For the first time, organisers of the Navy George Bass are pleased to welcome a international crew, Surfboat Holland, representing The Netherlands.

Competitors have been warned to expect horrendous conditions for the opening leg of the marathon, which kicks off at 9am on Sunday morning.