Catching a Wave
Back to the basics, once the surfboat is rowed through the surf and around the gate can, the quickest way back to shore, is to catch a wave. Catching the correct wave is the critical component in determining the first boat back to the beach.
Often, a crew will need to row down a wave, until the craft is pushed by the power of the swell. The wave work is what makes surf boats unique, and can dictate a race’s outcome. Crews have been known to make comebacks into podium finishes by mastering a wave.
3:20 minutes (media above) crews demonstrating catching waves – 2019 Aussies Open Men
Trailing
On larger waves, rowers will need to move to the stern of the boat to prevent the bow from digging into the base on the wave and flipping the boat. A sweep will instruct a crew to “trail” where the rowers finish the stroke, lay back and let their oar handles go, allowing the oars to trail along the gunwales. The rowers are to then move in unison to the stern of the boat.
Calling a trail at the correct time is an art that sweeps aim to perfect. Calling the rowers to trail too soon will cause the boat to fall off the back of the wave, and too late the trail will become ineffective, unable to prevent the inevitable boat flip.
Jackon McCraffrey’s Lorne “Lions” Reserve Women (2020) shown trailing at 3:35 minutes below.
Scott Tannerhill’s Torquay “Pirates” U19 Mens (2016) long trail below.
Shore Break
A shore break wave quickly peaks and breaks onshore to a relatively sharply sloping beach. Shore breaks can cause a surfboat craft to spin or flip near the shore causing greater risk to those aboard with a risk of falling into sand.
Navigating a large shore break is essential for everyone’s safety. Learning to read the waves and prevent a crew from being stuck on a shore break is paramount to preventing accidents and injuries.
Sweep Positioning
The sweep stands at the stern of the boat, with placement of the feet assisting in the control of the sweep oar and the surf boat craft. A sweeps feet are placed pointing more or less across the hull so that a lune through the shoulders points along the boat towards the bow. The placement of the feet assist in controlling the sweep oar as you can move your body towards the oar or away from it. The sweep oar connects the sweep and the water, assisting with balance and control.
Each sweep has an individual style and preferred method of sweeping, allowing the individual to be relaxed and balanced. The sweep is an essential component to surf boats.
The tutorial (right) is from a sweeps training in WA (2020).
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