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
Dial Before You Dig Ski Marathon kicks off in Batemans Bay. Paddlers compete for the Dave Pheeney Shield
Sydney crew, Avalon Beach, competing in their first bass struggled to cope with the conditions but completed the leg in less than four hours.
The Marathon will continue tomorrow morning from Moruya and finish in Tuross.
The 19 kilometre leg is the shortest leg for the event. Prior to the race commencing a special tribute will be made in honour of the late Dave Pheeney.
Dave, a life member of Surf Life Saving New South Wales, a Branch and Moruya Club President, and George Bass Organiser passed away in September last year.
Navy George Bass Day One Batemans Bay to Moruya - 31 kilometres.
Open Men
Canberra Vikings 2hours, 42 minutes, 40 seconds
Bulli 2 hours, 46 minutes
Broulee 2 hours, 47 minutes, 10 seconds
Wollongong 2 hours, 50 minutes, 50 seconds
Fairy Meadow 2 hours, 50 minutes, 58 seconds
Long Reef, 3 hours, 10 minutes, 45 seconds
Surf Boat Holland 3 hours, 12 minutes, 45 seconds
Open Women
Moruya Vikings/ Met Coloundra 3 hours, 5 minutes, 32 seconds
Woolamai 3 hours, 10 minutes, three seconds
Broulee Canberra, 3 hours, 16 minutes, 11 seconds
Pambula, 3 hours, 19 minutes, 30 seconds
Moruya 3 hours, 25 minutes, 7 seconds
Woolamai 2nd, 3 hours, 30 minutes, 48 seconds
Narooma 3 hours, 37 minutes, 19 seconds
Avalon Beach, 3 hours, 50 minutes
Anglesea 3 hours, 50 minutes, 40 seconds
Veteran Men
North Steyne 2 hours 48 minutes 20 seconds
Bulli 2 hours 59 minutes, 15 seconds
Tathra 3 hours, 1 minute, 27 seconds
Pambula, 3 hours, 5 minutes, 14 seconds
Narooma 3 hours, 6 minutes, 14 seconds
Anglesea 3 hours, 23 minutes, 56 minutes
Bermagui, 3 hours, 26 minutes, 23 seconds
Ski Marathon
Paul Buttell, Wanda Surf Club
Steve Mauby, Noosa Heads Surf Club
Craig Vipond, Mooloobar Surf Club
