Lorne victorious at Australian Surf Rowers League Opens

LORNE Chops showed themselves to be the best surf boat crew in the nation when they claimed first place in the Open Male category at the Australian Surf Rowers League Open in Mollymook last week.

The success follows last year, when Lorne Edge won the Open Female category.

Lorne Edge gave a strong showing once more in the nationals, claiming bronze to claim their fourth consecutive top three finish at the nationals.

Coach and sweep of both teams Geoff Matthews said he was delighted with the results and the way the teams have developed.

“We’ve been competing really successfully over the last 10 years or so, winning a lot of major races around Australia, including this one last year for the girls.

“This one was really special for the men in particular because they’ve been chasing a win now for the last few years and had a really strong crew but have just been on the wrong side of luck.”

Conditions in Mollymook were initially cyclone-affected, forcing the event to be moved to Batemans Bay on February 15.

Many of the junior teams raced there, with Queenscliffe Blue Car Keys coming second in the Under 19 Male category.

The teams then returned to Mollymook on Sunday, where Matthews said conditions were good and clean with three to four-foot waves “so, really good conditions for racing”.

Matthews also said the two teams were very fortunate to have Lorne Beach Pavilion and Grand Pacific Hotel sponsor them and enable them to compete in interstate races throughout the season.