The South Coast may be a long way from Noosa, but that hasn’t stopped Noosa’s Masters Men’s crew from rowing hard at the George Bass Marathon.
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The Noosa crew finished seventh in day four’s leg from Narooma to Bermagui, a big effort considering their issues on day three.
Noosa’s support vessel broke down on Tuesday, meaning the same four men had to row the 22-kilometre leg from Tuross Head to Narooma without any relief.
Crew member John Jenkins said that despite the challenges of Tuesday’s leg, they still love the conditions that the South Coast brings.
“It’s refreshing when you jump in the water,” he said. “It’s great, and all the local crews have been so helpful to us.”
Wednesday’s leg was the toughest so far, as crews battled a strong headwinds and a southerly swell down the coast.
Jenkins said the challenge is part of the fun.
“It was really tough today, especially around the headlands,” he said. “When you get that bounce off the headlands, there was a bit of choppy stuff.
“You’ve just got to keep pulling over the next wave, and then the next one, and a million waves later you’re there.
“It was all really good though.”
Jenkins also praised the actions of other crews during the event.
“Yesterday when we had our wardrobe malfunction with the support boat, we had other crews chipping in to throw bars and water to us,” he said.
The crew now takes on the longest leg of the marathon, a 35-kilometre monster from Bermagui to Tathra.
“We’ll put one oar blade after the next, and go as hard as we can,” Jenkins said.
“We’re looking forward to it. It wouldn’t be called the toughest surf boat challenge in the world without it.”