Chops and Edge impress at short couse champs

LORNE Surf Life Saving Club has again shown off its prowess in the boat, snagging a runner-up and bronze medal finish between its two teams at the Australian Surf Rowing League (ASRL) national short course championships in Queenscliff, New South Wales.

The championships were the first ASRL national championship event for the 2022/23 season, providing Lorne with a gauge on where they stand ahead of a long season of competition.

Lorne Chops open men’s crew, comprising Andrew Downie, Darcy Frawley, Jack Ryan, Ed White and sweep Geoff Matthews placed second behind only South Curl Curl SLSC (NSW).

Meanwhile, Lorne Edge open women’s crew, featuring Peta Glaister, Chantal Guziak, Georgia Stewart and Maddy Thomas, also swept by Matthew,s placed third behind Maroochydore SLSC (Queensland) and Elourea SLSC (NSW).

Lorne sweep Geoff Matthews said he was extremely proud of his team’s efforts in large conditions of six to eight feet.

“It was a good test to see how our training is stacking up by racing against some of the best crews in Australia in our second major national event for the season,” Matthews said.

“Conditions were tough, with a solid overhead swell, which is very different to where we train at Lorne and Port Melbourne, and both crews have been working very hard out in the boat four times a week and matching those outings with rowing machine, cycling and weights sessions, so it’s great to have such a positive pay off.

“We will be rowing in Sydney again this weekend for the Ocean Thunder series so we will go in feeling confident after our performance in Queenscliff and even though the Australian Championships are still three months away, it’s an enormous confidence booster knowing both open teams are rowing so well.”

Given the short course competition being called off at the 2022 Australian Championships, Lorne Chops remain defending national champions from 2021. Lorne Edge were 2018-19 ASRL open champions.