Does anyone know if there are an Australian surf rowing boats in the U.S. ? surf boat racing is a very popular sport in aussie (part of lifesaving club competitions) Anyone interested in trying or buying one- they are around 180kgs, 4 sweep oars, 1 steering sweep. use 442cm (aprox 14'6") oars with Macon or Cleaver blades.Can catch waves, punch through huge surf when pumps are fitted.

-- John Bransby (jbransby@optusnet.com.au), December 29, 2001

Answers

In southern Claifornia, surfboat racing has a relatively small but dedicated following, but somewhat different from Aussie-style. Usually 2 rowers use sculls, not sweeps; no coxswain. The boats have false floors with floatation beneath and scuppers to let water out. The rowing may be just a part of lifeguard competiton, i.e. the competitors also have to swim, etc. as part of a comprehensive competition.

-- Kim Apel (kapel@fullerton.edu), January 02, 2002.

I "just happened" to see the opening of Baywatch once and saw the california boats being rowed. Eventually after much patient watching of BW there was an ep in which one of these boats featured. The scuppers looked interesting. They are a much simpler design than the australian surf boats, and look capable of amateur building.

-- ian porrill (ianfprl@freemail.com.au), February 04, 2003.

Hello fellow Boatie,

The last time any crews were rowing a 5 man surf boat in the States was about 5-6 years ago. The 5 man surf boat event was added to the "Hubble" Ocean Festival events and just did not match the action generated by the 2 man surf dory we(NDA)have been rowing for the past 50 years. The 5 man boat needs a surf venue with moderate to large surf and with breaks that cover 200 to 500 yards of surf to battle. Our West Coast beaches just don't offer the awesome beach breaks you see in Aus. or NZ. There are a hand full of 5 man boats on the West Coast but I would venture to say they have all been on trailers for at least 3 years.

If you what to see some of the 2 man boat action from last summer visit National Dorymans.Org. Let me know if you are interested in rowing a 2 man dory or if you have any questions.

Dane DeBoer

-- Dane DeBoer (deboer5776@sbcglobal.net), December 10, 2003.