Victoria’s Jan Juc crew has been crowned 2009 ASRL Open Champions after winning the Open Men’s race at the Navy Australian Surf Rowers League Open by a hair at Broulee Beach on Sunday, 8 February, 2009.
Little separated the crews as they turned the cans and with flat surf, the race became a true test of skill and stamina.
All 6 crews crossed the line within inches of each other and the outcome of the race wasn’t known for some time as the judges deliberated on the winner.
Eventually Jan Juc was hailed the champion ahead of Mona Vale and Manly. Austinmer, Whale Beach and Wollongong made up the minor placings but only centimetres separated the crews.
“It was a tough race, it was long and the boys put in everything they had,” said Jan Juc Sweep Scott Tannerhill.
“We weren’t too sure who won when we hit the line, but they boys raced extremely well the whole weekend and we knew were in with a strong chance”.
“It’s a real honour to win the Navy ASRL Open, you’re competing against the best of the best and we’re stoked to win.”
Local crew Batemans Bay was crowned Reserves Division Champion after a stellar performance all weekend. The crew won every race bar one throughout the two days of racing and crossed the line in the final a nose ahead of Palm Beach and Caves Beach. In another close race Bulli, Coogee and Palm Beach’s second crew hit the shore within inches of each other.
South Curl Curl beat arch-rivals Mooloolaba to take out the Open Womens for the third year. The rivalry between the two crews has been strong for years. Mooloolaba took the lead heading into the can turn and looked sure to leave South Curl Curl in their wake as they soared back to shore. But a late surge by the Sydney crew saw the teams neck and neck. South Curl Curl found the extra energy to pull ahead just metres before the line to take the race.
“Over the past three years, nearly every major final we’ve been in Mooloolaba’s been there and it’s always been us and them 1st and 2nd or 2nd and 3rd, so it’s great to get another big win in,” said South Curly Stroke Kate Mortimer.
Fellow Queensland crews Met Caloundra and Kurrawa came 3rd and 4th.
In other races Austinmer took out the Under 23 Mens, Palm Beach the Under 23s Womens and Bulli the Under 19s Mens.
A record number of crews entered into this year’s Navy ASRL Open, making it the largest Surf Boat Event in the world. More than 350 crews came from almost every state in the country to compete.
Final Results for the weekend's racing:
| Open Mens Final 1. Jan Juc 2. Mona Vale 3. Manly 4. Austinmer 5. Whale Beach 6. Wollongong City | Open Womens Final 1. South Curl Curl 2. Mooloolaba 3. Met Caloundra 4. Kurrawa 5. Bilgola 6. Fairhaven |
| Reserves Final 1. Batemans Bay 2. Palm Beach 3. Caves 4. Bulli 5. Coogee 6. Palm Beach | Under 19 Men Final 1. Bulli 2. Avoca 3. Noosa 4. Kurrawa 5. Broulee 6. Collaroy |
| Under 23 Men Final 1. Austinmer 2. Bilgola 3. Currumbin 4. Woolami 5. Cottesloe 6. Kurrawa | Under 23 Women Final 1. Palm Beach 2. Austinmer 3. Kurrawa 4. Collaroy 5. Cottesloe 6. Palm Beach |
You can view ALL the results, including Masters by clicking here
Click here to view a selection of photos from the weekend, kindly provided by Chris "Nugman" De Jong. Or, you can view the entire series on Chris's site by clicking here
There's also a large selection of event photos by George Scarfe (ASRL SA) - here
Article by Samantha Derrick - Media Co-ordinator ASRL Open 2009
Draws for the ASRL Open at Broulee, Saturday 7th February 2009, have been released. All the draws are available for download and printing via this post on our forum 
Because of circumstances beyond our control, the Masters, big in numbers though they are will have to register on the day (Friday 6th) and we will take it from there. Those that have responded seem to favour the 180's slot. Categories for the Masters is 140, 160, 180, 200, 220,240 male.140,160 female. There has been a good response, although some paper has gone missing, and more are expected when that shows up. Masters have been around boats long enough to know the ropes.
The interest in the ASRL Open at Broulee has been fantastic with 300 crews entered for Saturday. With the Masters event on Friday, the figures are well into the high 340’s and because of the highly successful Navy National series, clubs from the West, South, and Tasmania are attending for their first time. Just like when the rowing bug bites you, it will not be their last.
Referee Geoff Lyons and his team Ron Pommering, and Whippy are aware of the time constraints and, although fair men, will warn you at the sweeps meetings that time wasting will not be tolerated and crews could face a DQ at the start. The marshals will also be briefed, we have very experienced marshals who will liaise with the starters/referee/check starters of looming problems (turn arounds etc.) So please be aware of 
For logistical & administrative purposes, these crew entries and areas may be subject to change up until Friday of the event. If you notice any errors or ommissions with your Club's entries, please notify Zom Knox as soon as possible via 
