Surfboats is a high adrenaline sport that combines elements of teamwork, strength, endurance and wave mastery. A crew consists of four rowers and a sweep who stands at the stern of the boat and is responsible for steering the boat. A spectacular Surf Life Saving sport, crews compete head to lead, rowing from the beach through the surf into open water where they turn a set of buoys and race back to the beach.
As the surfboat nears the shore the aim is to catch a wave whilst the sweep steers the boat to keep it upright and on the face of the wave. The sport is not for the faint hearted and attracts the bravest and most fearless of lifesavers.
8:00 minutes (media above) Full race Aussies 2023 – Fairhaven Salamanders [formerly St Kilda] gaining silver.
History of Surfboats
The history of surfboats traces back to the early 20th century, first introduced in lifesaving or rescue missions where the most expedient access to victims in the surf, directly from the beach. The need for a reliable watercraft caable of navigating the challenging surf conditions led to the development of surfboats.
The surfboat was designed to enter the ocean from the beach in heavy surf or severe waves. Originally they were used in lifesaving or rescue missions where the most expedient access to victims was directly from the beach. Although the surfboat is no longer used as a lifesaving craft, thousands of lifesavers across Australia uphold the tradition and compete at surfboat events each year.
Wauchope Bonny Hills SLSC – Overview of the last 100 years of surfboats.
Visit the ASRL’s Youtube Channel for more Surf boat content
VSRL 