2008 ASRL Open Draws now available to view - Click HERE!

Important Notice to all Competitors:
Whilst we have been accustomed to three rounds of round-robin racing with soft elimination rounds, a decision will be made by the referee on the day as to the racing format.  Conditions may warrant some divisions racing in elimination racing instead of round-robin and any decision will be made with safety, competition time available and will be in the best interests of all the competitors and officials.

Following recent beach inspections and after due consultation and consideration by all parties concerned, the ASRL Open Organising Committee is pleased to confirm that the Hog's Breath ASRL Australian Open 2008 will take place as scheduled at Stockton Beach, NSW on February 8th to 10th.

The Order of Events and Team Area Allocations have now been determined and are available to view by clicking here.  Any queries can be directed to the Organising Committee via Zombie on 0402 139 844

To view the ASRL 2008 Interstate Challenge Teams - click here  

We have a record number of entries into this years ASRL Open with 315 entries in total:  Open - 50; Open Women - 52; Reggies - 62; Colts - 42; Filies  - 31; 19's - 32; 240m - 4; 220m - 4; 200m - 6; 180m - 11; 160m - 6; 140m - 5; 140w - 10.

The location of the boat area for Saturday & Sunday, whether in front of the surf club or  the northern end of the beach has not been decided but it will be at Stockton. 

All Masters divisions, ie. 140, 160, 180, 200, 220 & 240 for Men and 140 for Women will be held on Friday February 8th commencing at noon. 

You will be given plenty of notice as to the Saturday & Sunday.

To view the Current 2008 Australian Open Entries  click here

Hosted by Stockton (NSW).

All Enquiries to:

Entry Forms

To enter your club/crew into the 2008 ASRL Open, please download the entry & membership forms and return ASAP. All members competing are required to be current financial members of the ASRL - please find the membership form below.  If not already a financial member for 2007, membership forms for all competitors MUST be attched to the entry form with the necessary fee.  Entry fees and membership fees can be paid either by cheque or EFT.

To download your 2008 ASRL Open Entry form, click here.

You can also download an ASRL Membership Application by clicking here

(PDF Reader required - free download available here)

Crew Eligibility

A novice crew must be Under 19, male or female, first season in competition, not competed in Branch State or National titles, nokinated by clubs and selected by State Rower's, can be selected from different clubs to form the State Crew, recognised part of the Interstate Team with own race, medals  and  leg  of the relay, and   Leagues and the crew must be in its first year together although rowers may have competed in other crews in other years.

Age crews can row in a higher division but they must pay additional entry fees and cannot withdraw from any division.  A withdrawal from one event will mean withdrawal from both divisions.

A womens crew which comprises all Under 19 rowers,  can row in the Under 19 boat race.  They would be eligible to compete in the Under 19 Novice  Race.   They can also race in the Fillies or Open Women but not both.

As has always been the case, Colts can row Open Boat or Reserve Boat but not both and Under 19 men, they can also row in either the  Colts, Reserve  or Open Boat.

Masters Women -  the age group for Masterts Women is 140+.

This document is produced to assist competitors, officials, spectators and support crews with everything that will take place over the weekend.

The Agenda

The event is a three-day carnival commencing on the Friday at noon  with the Masters divisions, followed by the Novice Under 19 event, at at 6pm the Interstate Championship Series, culminating with the spectacular, Interstate Relay. Please read the Interstate Challenge page for more details on this event (see menu - Competition / Interstate Challenge).  This year all seven  divisions -  Open Boat, Open Women, Colts, Fillies, 19's,  Novice 19's and Reserves -  will feature in the Interstate event.

On Saturday (all day) round-robin heat racing of the Open Championships will take place in all Divisions.

On Sunday all racing will take from quarter finals through to the exciting and rewarding BIG finals of all Divisions

Friday -  February 8th

• Masters Divisions (Men and Women) commence at Noon
• Novice Under 19, then
• Interstate Championship commences at 5.30pm (twilight event), concluding approx 7.30pm.
• Presentation to Interstate winners, followed by food, refreshments and entertainment at the spectacular Stockton surf club.

Saturday  -  February 9th

• Heats of Australian Open Championship, all divisions: Stockton beach. 
• The surf club bar will be open with food, drink and entertainment.

Sunday 10th February

• Finals, all divisions - Stockton.
• Presentations, food, drink and entertainment.

Heats of Australian Open Championship (Saturday)

The League can run with up to approximately 135 crews out of one area.  It is anticipated that as there will only be two boat areas.  Designation of areas will occur when the entries have been received. 

Draws for each round of each division will be carried out prior to the commencement of competition and will be posted on the web site.

It is anticipated that the Saturday heats will be round-robin format with the 12 highest point-scorers in each area progressing to the QuarterFinals on the Sunday. (Sole discretion of the Carnival Referee)

Notice boards will display the race results all day.

Boat parking will be in a  secure area.  Security guards will be employed overnight to ensure the safety of boats and equipment.

Quality food and drinks for competitors, as well as general food, drinks plus a full BBQ, will be available all day and evening at Stockton surf club.

After competition, everyone is welcome to the full bar, refreshments and BBQ facilities at the surf club. Live entertainment is also planned.

Finals of Australian Open Championship (Sunday)

All racing on the Sunday will be carried out at Stockton Beach. It is anticipated that 24 crews will remain in each Division at commencement of Sunday competition. (Sole discretion of the Carnival Referee).

During the finals day a March Past competition MAY be conducted and if so will again be another highlight to our Open Championship event. (Zom is the organiser of this event).  The Executive of the ASRL asks that all clubs competing at the Australian Open Championship to provide at least a ‘Colour Party’ for the March Past display. Boat Captains are asked to bring their club flag with them and arrange for their March Past or ‘Colour Party’ to compete in the blue ribbon event. For details and entries to the March Past event:  (details will be published when available).

At the completion of the March Past event, the finals in all Divisions of the Australian Open Championship will proceed.  National Anthem will be sung by John Williamson (recorded of course) and hopefully this year we will be able to hear it on the PA system.

Racing Singlets

All crew members to wear racing singlet when racing. No Singlets, No Start

Prize Money

TBA

Presentation & Trophies

Trophies will be given to the winning crews of all divisions. Medals will be given to first three place getters in each division. Presentation will be at Stockton  Surf Club after completion of the Open Men's Final in the official presentation area. Presentations of medals will be made to all placegetters by ‘Hall of Fame’ members. At the conclusion of presentations everyone is cordially invited to meet at Stockton Surf Club for food, drink and a friendly chat. Live entertainment will also be provided to dance the night away.

General Info

There is ample accommodation in the District.  

The Organising Committee of the Stockton  Surf Club trust you will have a great weekend of competition and fun at our venues.

Finally, a reminder that entries for the Australian Open close on Friday January 25th 2008.

See you there.

The Organising Committee&ASRL Secretary

Kosta Patsan   or     Greg Davies 0410-766-722