MOLLYMOOK Beach played host to some of the strongest surf boat teams on Saturday, at round one of the Team Navy Australian Surf Rowers League.
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A huge field competed in the one day event, which Team Navy Australian Surf Rowers League president Bert Hunt was impressed with.
“The quality of the 70-strong field was top-notch, which impressed me,” he said.
“Despite being relatively flat conditions, the Mollymook shore-break caused all kinds of excitement for the crews.
“This shore dump also sure plenty of teams fly home, in what was the first event in the interstate selection contests.
“With a competition also ran at the same time in Coffs Harbour, the field was a little diluted, with not all the Sydney teams coming south, but that didn’t decrease the exciting racing.”
The highest finishing South Coast team was the Gerringong NAPS and team member Richard Payne was happy with the second place in the reserve men.
“As it is the start of the season, we were confident coming in and excited to see where each crew is at this early in the year,” Payne said.
“Our training has been going well for the past four months but we were all itching to actually get some racing under our belts.”
The NAPS got through the round-robin section on Saturday with two wins and a second, before winning their semi-final.
“Our fifth row for the day was the final and we knew it was probably going to come down to us and Coogee,” he said.
“We looked good at the turn and were in front as we headed towards home.
“But we couldn’t get a wave and Coogee caught up with a wave that we also jumped on.
“We both crossed the line at similar times but the line decision was given to Coogee.
“We are happy with the result, as this is the best we have ever rowed at this early part of the season.
“Our goal is to make the state team and although we a little disappointed out on full points, we are still happy.”
Open Men
1. Mona Vale Rocks
2. Mona Vale Big Macs
3. Cronulla Wild Cards
4. Bulli
5. Collaroy Knights
6. Newport Makos
Open Women
1. Elouera Wilko
2. Nth Cronulla Blueys
3. Sth Curl Curl
4. Mona Vale Fillet o Fish
5. Austinmer
6. Collaroy Cabelleros
Reserve Men
1. Coogee
2. Gerringong Naps
3. Windang Walla Wallas
4. Nth Cronulla Purds
5. Elouera
6. Gerringong Doglocks
Under 23 Men
1. Cronulla Crocs
2. Avalon Beach Pinkies
3. Bulli
4. Sth Curl Curl Thunderbirds
5. Corrimal Black
6. Mona Vale Rude Dudes
Under 23 Women
1. Collaroy Cab Sav
2. Nth Cronulla Micks
3. HSP Meringues
4. Coogee Cherubs
5. Nth Cronulla Funky
6. Nth Cronulla Yappy
Under 19 Men
1. Nth Cronulla Purds
2. Austinmer
3. Wanda Blue
4. Sth Curl Curl Lamps
5. Nth Cronulla Yappy