VSRL surf boats race in Lorne

EARLIER in the month Lorne Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) hosted the Navy Victorian Surf Rowers League (VSRL) Carnival.

The event was the first of three coming State Team selection carnivals.

There were 53 crews that took to the seas on a pleasant Sunday with waves ranging for half-a-metre to a metre high.

The event was scheduled to be held at Ocean Grove, but their boat ramp was not ready for the event due to the recent clubhouse reconstructions.

Lorne SLSC long-time member Frank Veltman said Lorne SLSC were happy to take over hosting responsibilities given their strong surf boat roots.

“Lorne’s the ideal beach for running these sorts of events. The club itself is well organised, we’re a very strong surf boat club.”

“We’ve got over 60 competitors in the surf boat arena at the moment. At the moment we’re very happy with how things are going.”

Local teams performed well throughout the event despite both the Men’s and Women’s Open sides being away in Sydney to compete in the Ocean Thunder Surfboat Series

The Open Women category was won by Torquay Lightning with St Kilda coming second.

The Open Men then saw St Kilda Angry Otters claim victory and Torquay Pirates finish second.

The Reserve Women category was one by Mordialloc Mayhem with Lorne having teams coming second, third and fourth.

Lorne Babicci then earned the host’s their first win in the Reserve Men category.

The Under 23 Women’s saw St Kilda Fun Size with Lorne Elrichies next to finish.

In the Under 23 Men’s Torquay Pirates took the victory with Lorne/Pt Campbell Composite in second.

St Kilda Salamanders won the Under 19 Women with Torquay Honeybadgers coming second. The Under 19 Men was taken out by Portland Cape Crusaders with Torquay Yeah the Buoyos just behind.

In February, Lorne SLSC will both the Masters Championships and Full Carnival for Life Saving Victoria.