State team representatives decided in Portland

The teams with the highest points total across the three races will now represent Victoria at the Australian Surf Rowers League (ASRL) Open in Mollymook in mid-February.

Lorne Edge won the Open Women race to secure their place in the national championships.

Lorne also had their won the Reserve Women’s race, but it was not enough to remove Mordialloc Mayhem from the top of the points.

The Surf Coast will also be represented in the Under 23 Male category, as the Torquay Pirates secured state selection for an unprecedented fifth time.

There have only been a couple of personnel changes to the team in that time.

Now in the final year of their age group, coach and Scott Tannahill said he hoped the group would stay together as they progressed.

“They’re regarded as one of the best in the country at that grade. They’re very competitive in the Open Men’s as well. We’re hopeful of keeping the group together going forwards.”

The team’s impressive performances have earned them an invitation Big Wave surf boats event at New Zealand’s Piha Beach, which will take place shortly before the ASRL Open.

But Tannahill said despite their competitive success, the team members were still invested in helping the club.

“They’re also volunteer surf lifesavers for Torquay and two of the boys are professional lifeguards as well.”

The other teams to secure their place in the ASRL Open were St Kilda Angry Otters in the Open Men’s, Point Leo Persuaders in the Reserve Men’s, St Kilda Fun Size in the Under 23 Women’s, St Kilda Salamanders in the Under 19 Women’s and Portland Cape Crusaders in the Under 19 Men’s competition.