Local rowers shine at ASRL Open

A dozen surf boat crews from the Bellarine and Surf Coast represented Victoria with pride at the Australian Surf Rowers League (ASRL) Open at the weekend.

Local athletes competed at Wanda, NSW alongside 359 crews from Australia and New Zealand in what is the largest standaloe surf boat rowing competition in the world.

The Lorne Lobsters won the bronze medal in the Open Female competition, swept by Nathan Waddell.

Three of the four rowers, who are based in Melbourne won an Australian title last season and have pushed up to the premier division alongside Geelong rower Cassie Carman.

The Jan Juc Fennel Hellmen, swept by Brett Mazouris, also made their final, coming 6th out of almost 60 crews.

Fellow club team The Jets, also swept by Brett Mazouris, came away in the top eight although their pace all weekend was right up there with the medalists.

Jan Juc Jets competing in the Interstate Championships at the ASRL Open in Wanda, NSW.

Life Saving Victoria surf boat state team manager Aaron Tanahill said he was incredibly proud of the local crews efforts.

“Every year crews pencil in this event and train hard in preparation for competition. Some crews race as many as nine times throughout the three days of their competition, therefore our athletes are as fit as healthy as you will see.

“Surf Sports is one of the only sports in the world where the competitors are actively involved within a volunteer emergency service, and this creates community focused individuals. Once you get a whole crew and team of similar like minded people, the results on and off the water are endless.”

The Interstate Championships went down as the closest in the events history, with Victoria coming equal 3rd and 4th on a countback. Victoria finished on 99 points, only 7 points off the winners NSW, and 3 points behind silver, WA.

Baxter and Hudson Yockins from Anglesea representing Victoria.

Local crews from Point Lonsdale, Jan Juc, Anglesea and Lorne represented Victoria.

“Victoria’s Interstate results was incredible. After 11 races to be only 3 points off silver was a credit to everyone involved in the team, we were so close to the podium and it will drive our athletes to further improve themselves for 2027,” Tanahill added.