13th Beach hosts surf boat carnival

SURF BOATS descended on Barwon Heads’ 13th Beach over the weekend for round 1 of the Australian Surf Rowers League Surfboat series.

The event was hosted by the Victorian Surf Rowers League (VSRL) and supported by Life Saving Victoria.

Williamston WAPS came won the open female division while Williamstown Wet’n’Wild won the open mens. In the reserve female division the Jan Juc Juceroos came first, while the Port Campbell Subsonics won the reserve men’s race.

Competitors enjoyed a solid swell and organiser’s said they looked forward to a similarly solid season ahead.

13th Beach SLSC president Matthew Burke said the event was iconic.

“The surf boat is such an iconic symbol of what surf lifesaving is and their connections to different surf clubs often carry incredibly rich histories.”

“We’re incredibly proud to be able to share our beach with so many other clubs.”

The event was the first carnival held at the beach since 2014.

Sweep of the Barwon Heads 13th Beach surf boat team Jake Pownall said the lead up to the carnival had been a labour of love for all involved at the club.

“We’d like to thank the VSRL for letting us host this event,” he said.

The 13th Beach SLSC presently has more than 600 members, including 50 active patrollers, and more than 200 Nippers. The club reopened in May after a $1.4 million upgrade.