The ASRL Committeee has released Newsletter #49 for June, 2014.

All Members are encouraged to download and read the Newsletter to keep up with what's going on in the world of Surf Rowing.

You can download the Newsletter by clicking HERE or view the web version HERE

The Newsletter was emailed directly on 3 June to all current ASRL Members who have provided a current email address. If you didn't receive a copy of the email and would like to in the future, please provide your current email address to registrar@asrl.com.au  Your email address will be used for all Committee correspondence, including electronic voting for Committee positions.

All Very Well and Good - a complimentary Health and Fitness Newsletter provided courtesy of:

Derek Knox (B.Sc. Sports, AEP, MBA)

Director – Accredited Exercise Physiologist (ESSA)

Absolute Balance Exercise Consultant

You can download the newsletter by clicking HERE or on the newsletter image (pdf reader required)

DATE: Saturday 19th July 2014

In accordance with clause 28.1(a), the ASRL Committee hereby calls for nominations for Treasurer and 3 x Vice Presidents. Nominations must be made in writing, signed by 2 ASRL Members and accompanied by the nominee's written consent. Nominations must be delivered to the ASRL Committee by no later than 5.00pm Friday 20 June 2014, 28 days prior to the ASRL Annual General Meeting (which shall be held on Saturday 19th July 2014) at Elouera SLSC NSW.

The term of Office shall be two years.

The Treasurer:

The Vice Presidents:

FORM DOWNLOADS (pdf reader required):

ASRL COMMITTEE NOMINATION FORM 2014

ASRL PROXY VOTE FORM 2014

..... presented by Schick Hydro

TV Schedule (check your local guides)

• Dec 19 17:30 Fox 3 (THURSDAY)
• Dec 21 10:00 Fox 3 (SATURDAY)

Background:

In August 2013 the SLSA Board made a decision to mandate the wearing of surf helmets in surf boat competition and in surf boat training effective 1 January 2014 (see SLSA Bulletin 02/13-14 issued 26/08/2013).

Since the release of this decision, a number of operational impacts and considerations have been evaluated in consultation with the Australian Surf Rowers League (ASRL) and State/Territory centres to ensure an effective implementation of the SLSA Board decisions. SLSA reinforces that surf helmets will become mandatory in both training and competition. The following decisions relate to the implementation of these decisions.

Consultation:

Throughout implementation of this decision, SLSA shall continue to consult closely with the SLSA Surf Boat Committee / ASRL to ensure all impacts on surf boat participants are well considered, safe and appropriate.

You can download the Bulletin by clicking HERE or on the Bulletin image (pdf reader required)

The Gallipoli 100 (G100) Storyline....

In 2008, a couple of masters rowers who now compete with North Bondi, came to me with the idea of a surf boat race at Gallipoli, to coincide with the 100th Anniversary of the ANZAC landings. Having been a boatie in the 60's and 70's, the idea had appeal. After several trips to Turkey, meetings with various Australian, New Zealand and Turkish Government officials, the idea turned into a reality with one key condition. The condition was that Turkey competes as well as Australia and New Zealand. 

The Surf Safety Index (SSI) is a term we will hear much more about in the coming weeks and months. It is explained below by the two authors who are both long time surf lifesavers and competitors. The initial study has been funded by their employers at Bond University to whom we are most grateful for the foresight to help with such an important function of the modern day carnival.

Please enjoy the following article as it goes about setting out an introduction to the workings of the SSI.

Article:

All of us in the Surf Lifesaving movement remember the tragedies that occurred at the Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships at Kurrawa Beach in Queensland from 1996 through to 2012. A comment by the Coroner into the Saxon Bird death was particularly noteworthy. He stated that:

When lives are at stake it is not appropriate to seek to balance competing views or to seek consensus. Those responsible cannot try and calculate the average or most widely held view. The danger posed by wild surf is not capable of precise calibration.

The ASRL AGM was held at South Port SLSC S.A. on 20 July, 2013 and your new ASRL Committeee for the 2013-14 season has been elected.

President: Bert Hunt (2 year term)

Vice Presidents

ANNUAL REPORT: The 2012-13 ASRL Annual Report is now available for download.  Please click HERE to download the report

AGM MINUTES: You can click HERE to download a copy of the Minutes from the recent AGM

The ASRL AGM 2013

Date: Sat 20th July

Time: 10am sharp

Location: South Port SLSC SA

Voting for this years ASRL Committee will be electronic, as per usual.  Voting tokens will be sent out via email in due course.  If you are a current financial member and have not yet supplied/updated your email address, now is the time to do so by contacting registrar@asrl.com.au with the details.

Please keep an eye on the FORUM pages for further information regarding the AGM and the election process.

The ASRL Committeee has released Newsletter #48 for April, 2014.

All Members are encouraged to download and read the Newsletter to keep up with what's going on in the world of Surf Rowing.

You can download the Newsletter by clicking HERE or view the web version HERE

The Newsletter was emailed directly on 10 April to all current ASRL Members who have provided a current email address. If you didn't receive a copy of the email and would like to in the future, please provide your current email address to registrar@asrl.com.au  Your email address will be used for all Committee correspondence, including electronic voting for Committee positions.

The ASRL Committeee has released Newsletter #45 for February, 2014.

All Members are encouraged to download and read the Newsletter to keep up with what's going on in the world of Surf Rowing.

You can download the Newsletter by clicking HERE or view the web version HERE

The Newsletter was emailed directly on 4 November to all current ASRL Members who have provided a current email address. If you didn't receive a copy of the email and would like to in the future, please provide your current email address to registrar@asrl.com.au  Your email address will be used for all Committee correspondence, including electronic voting for Committee positions.

The ASRL Committeee has released Newsletter #44 for November 2013. This newsletter contains an important update from the ASRL regarding Helmets. 

All Members are encouraged to download and read the Newsletter to keep up with what's going on in the world of Surf Rowing.

You can download the Newsletter by clicking HERE or view the web version HERE

The Newsletter was emailed directly on 4 November to all current ASRL Members who have provided a current email address. If you didn't receive a copy of the email and would like to in the future, please provide your current email address to registrar@asrl.com.au  Your email address will be used for all Committee correspondence, including electronic voting for Committee positions.

The ASRL Committeee has released Newsletter #43 for September 2013. This newsletter contains an important statement from the ASRL regarding Helmets. 

All Members are encouraged to download and read the Newsletter to keep up with what's going on in the world of Surf Rowing.

You can download the Newsletter by clicking HERE or view the web version HERE

The Newsletter was emailed directly on 6 September to all current ASRL Members who have provided a current email address. If you didn't receive a copy of the email and would like to in the future, please provide your current email address to registrar@asrl.com.au  Your email address will be used for all Committee correspondence, including electronic voting for Committee positions.

The ASRL Committeee has released Newsletter #42 for August 2013. All Members are encouraged to download and read the Newsletter to keep up with what's going on in the world of Surf Rowing..

You can download the Newsletter by clicking HERE

The Newsletter was emailed directly on 6 August to all current ASRL Members who have provided a current email address. If you didn't receive a copy of the email and would like to in the future, please provide your current email address to registrar@asrl.com.au Your email address will be used for all Committee correspondence, including electronic voting for Committee positions.

The ASRL Committeee has released Newsletter #41 for June 2013. All Members are encouraged to download and read the Newsletter to keep up with what's going on in the world of Surf Rowing..

You can download the Newsletter by clicking HERE

The Newsletter was emailed directly on 28 May to all current ASRL Members who have provided a current email address. If you didn't receive a copy of the email and would like to in the future, please provide your current email address to registrar@asrl.com.au Your email address will be used for all Committee correspondence, including electronic voting for Committee positions.

The Triple-Crown was unveiled on Saturday at our May Conference and from the response will be well received by crews from all over. The overview is attached and will be the guideline for making the Triple-Crown work even though we will be tweaking the details between now and start time.

Basically we will have a starting pool of boats selected out of each State to be included in the Round 1 Sunday Triple-Crown in Nov. On the same weekend, same venue we are running a Shoot-Out event over short course racing where additional Wild Card crews will be added to the Sunday Triple-Crown event.

From the Sunday point score result of Round 1 we take a specified number of crews directly placed into Round 2 in Vic. The very same Saturday Shoot-Out process happens and another group of Wild Cards go into the Sunday Triple-Crown of Round 2. Likewise the same system applies into the Round 3 at Nth Steyne. This final Triple-Crown Sunday event is also the selection event for the Male & Female National Crews.

The Shoot-Out & Triple-Crown is not division specific and each of the first two Saturday Shoot-Outs will be run as non-divisional events. Saturday at Manly is still under discussion. Crews that have pre-selection into the Sunday Triple-Crown must also row in the Saturday event. The Saturday format is being billed as the Best against the Rest where age division or reserve grade crews have the opportunity to step up and have a shot at the best crews in the country. If an age division or Reserve grade crew is good enough in the Shoot-Out they will take their place in the Sunday Triple-Crown field. Remember the best crews will already be through into the Sunday even though they are racing on Saturday so their points don't count for Wild Card places.

We are hot on the chase to have the event completely sponsored where we plan to assist crews with travel expenses. The other option is that if a crew want to come forward with their own sponsor that crew keeps the sponsors dollars to offset the travel expenses and the event will come up with a sponsor promotion package including Television to repay your sponsor.

Best of all Round 1 & 2 weekends will be free entry and the Round 3 Sunday selection event is also free entry.

Second best of all is that we will also feature the top 12 age division crews from each of the Saturday Shoot-Out events into a Sunday final series.

The full working document can be found by clicking HERE

Crews interested in being considered for initial selection should contact secretary@asrl.com.au by the end of June so you can be considered for selection from each State.

For those members who may not have received their April ASRL Newsletter via email, you can download a copy by clicking HERE

ALSO: The 2013 Golden Blade Awards and After Party... Monday 22 April

If you haven't already booked for this awesome event then YOU should do so NOW... There won't be another Boaties Convention until 2016 so we are throwing one hell of a party!!

For the first time ever the Golden Blade Awards will officially host an After Party at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Tickets are $125.00 all inclusive of gourmet lunch, drinks, live entertainment and entry into the "Boaties After Party Lounge" exclusive only to those attending the 2013 Schick Golden Blade Awards featuring our resident live band Magic Carpet Ride, entertainer Steven Spellmaster Hypnotist and Brooke Evers Australia's Hottest DJ..

Don't forget this year its themed "In The Navy".. We are looking forward to seeing your interpretations!!

Tickets & Wrist Bands being sent out in two weeks!!!

The ASRL Committeee has released Newsletter #37 which contains important information about the upcoming ASRL Open. All Members, particularly those attending the Open, are encouraged to download and read the Newsletter.

You can download the Newsletter by clicking HERE

The Newsletter was emailed directly on 4 Feb to all current ASRL Members who have provided a current email address.  If you didn't receive a copy of the email and would like to in the future, please provide your current email address to registrar@asrl.com.au  Your email address will be used for all Committee correspondence, including electronic voting for Committee positions.

As you are aware the ASRL has been successful in working with SLSA & SLSNZ along with Horse in NZ to bring about a great new opportunity for boat crews on both sides of the Tasman. We now have an annual Test Match event with full Coat of Arms status to be contested in both Open Men & Women year about in both countries.

Starting this year we will be selecting our two crews at a special invitation event to be conducted at Nth Wollongong beach on the 27 Jan 2013. The selected crews will then travel to NZ on Thursday 7 Feb, race in a three race Test Match series on Saturday 9 Feb with the option to pick up another NZ event on the Sun or to spend the day wallowing in the winners glory and return on Mon 11 Feb.

We are pushed for time on this one but it just means that crews need to respond quickly. Below you'll find links to download the crew and team manager nomination form. Both nominations close on the 20 Dec 2012 at SLSA offices as detailed on the forms.

All relevant information can be found on the form but just to make it very clear you are nominating your crew to be one of the invited crews to attend the selection event. The State by State and in NSW the regional breakup of crew numbers to be invited into the selection event is clearly defined on the nomination form. Obviously you will need to have a valid passport and by your nomination you are committing your crew to firstly attend the selection event and secondly to be available to travel to NZ on the required dates. The Australian Selectors will be in attendance on the 27 Jan and the team will be announced on the day or at the latest by Tuesday 29 Jan.

More than 400 surf rowers and 55 surfboats hit the waves at Surfers Paradise Beach on November 3-4 for the official launch of the 2012-13 Navy Australian Surf Rowers League season.

A major supporter of the Australian Surf Rowers League (ASRL) for the past five years, Navy heightened the excitement at the launch by providing musical performances by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Band Queensland Detachment and numerous flypasts by 723 SQN's new Bell 429 helicopter.

Weather conditions during the weekend were partly overcast with moderate 10-knot Easterly winds, which generated choppy one-metre waves for the surf rowers to compete in.

Races in surfboat divisions including Open Men, Open Women, Under 23 Men, Under 23 Women, Under 19 Men and Reserve started on Saturday at 8am and wrapped up with interstate finals on Sunday at 2pm.

Sweep for the Mooloolaba Women Surfboat Crew, Brenden Western, said it was a great weekend with plenty of challenging competition from interstate crews.

"I'm pretty happy with our performance this weekend. On Saturday we were undefeated and won the Open Women's division. We're really pumped and looking forward to the upcoming surfboat season," Mr Western said.

"This weekend was a particularly good warm up for us as we'll be competing in the World Series at Christies Beach in South Australia in two weeks."

Highlights for the Gold Coast locals during the weekend included Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club marching in review order with the RAN Band, numerous flypasts by 723 SQN's Bell 429 helicopter and the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) Search and Rescue helicopter. As an added surprise, spectators were also treated to a spectacular acrobatic aerial display by the RAAF's renowned Roulettes.

Spokesman for the Navy ASRL alliance, CDRE David Letts, said the event was extremely successful as more than 85 crews from Surf Life Saving Clubs across Australia participated.

"There are more than 550 male and female surf rowing crews around Australia from more than 320 surf clubs, so it's great that so many crews made it along to compete at this season's launch," CDRE Letts said.

He said the alliance between Navy and the ASRL was a perfect fit because both comprised fit, healthy Australians in boats who provide a community service for Australia.

"As in Navy, teamwork is essential in surf rowing and a lifestyle of fitness defines the people of both Navy and the ASRL.

"Navy's alliance with the ASRL means it can hold events all around Australia and garner support from local communities. By nurturing the sport, Navy provides the ASRL with the necessary resources to assist in recruiting lifesavers. The more lifesavers in the water, the more lives are saved."

The weekend culminated in an interstate competition between New South Wales and Queensland after Victoria and South Australia were eliminated in the semi-final. After a fierce afternoon of racing, New South Wales defeated Queensland.

The Navy ASRL series will consist of 26 events around Australia from November 2012 to February 2013 held on some of the country's premier beaches. The ASRL was born in New South Wales in 1992 as the International League of Australian Surfboat Rowers Inc. and currently has more than 3000 members from more than 260 clubs, which make up more than 450 crews.

Original story taken from www.navy.gov.au  More images of the day can be found HERE

The ASRL are delighted to invite interested officials to nominate on the attached form to assist us in presenting this seasons ASRL Open.

The event will run for three days commencing at 9am on Friday 8 Feb 2013 and we aim to complete all finals by 1.30 on Sun 10 Feb

Location will be Stockton beach Newcastle and for those flying a large airfield serviced by all major airlines is located at Williamstown just north of Stockton

We will be hosting a meet and welcome to all officials on the Thursday afternoon the 6 Feb and this has been a wonderful function, well attended and cherished by those that have attended

One of this year's initiatives will be our intent to introduce as many officials as want to try to higher honours. In this we will cycle those that want to try into exposure such as Starters, Check Starters, Chief Judge etc. You won't be thrown to the wolves but you will be under the watchful eye and being mentored by our most experienced Officials, Starters etc.

Nominations close on Sunday 13 January

You can download a copy of the Officials Nomination form by clicking HERE or on the document image.

Further information can be found HERE and will be updated as the event approaches.

What: Navy Australian Surf Rowers League (Navy ASRL) Season Launch comes to Surfers Paradise

Where: Surfers Paradise Beach, Surfers Paradise

Theme: "Surf Rowers in Paradise"

Who: Over 80 crews from Surf Life Saving Clubs across Queensland and Australia

TV: Fox Sports (Castle Media)

When: Saturday 3rd November

• Navy National Surf Rowers "OFFICIAL LAUNCH"
• RD 1 QLD Surf Rowers Surf Rowers Premiership

Navy ASRL surfboats to row in formation with Navy helicopter

When: Sunday 4th November

• Those crews not selected for State Teams "Short Course" challenge - elimination event (8 am to 11 am)
• QLD State V's NSW State each state will have 6 x crews Open Men & Women /Under 23 Men & Women /Under 19 Men / Reserve Grade (duration 90min)
• ASRL Interstate Team Challenge - QLD / NSW / VIC / SA / WA
  Each State 2 x crews (selected by the ASRL) (10 person team) Open Men & Women only (duration 90 min)

Where: Surfers Paradise Beach, Surfers Paradise

Visuals:

• Surfboats in action challenging the ocean elements
• Surf Rowers from Surf Life Saving Clubs dressed in their NAVY ASRL uniforms
• Navy helicopter to fly over and hover above beach
• Surfboats, Bronzed Aussie Surf Rowers and Navy helicopter to provide backdrop for launch
• Navy ASRL surfboats formation rowing with Navy helicopter in background
• French crew competing in Open Women division – from Sauveteurs Beglais et Surf Boat – TBC
• Navy Brass Band playing on foreshore – TBC ....Surf Lifesaving March Past Teams joins in the ceremony
• Surf Boat Crews from NSW / VIC / SA / WA attending .

Media Liaison Contact – HSM Group Peter Hickey 0418730100

Join the ASRL Now:

Rowers are urged to please let us have your crews entry/membership form completed and returned ASAP.

As you know we will be providing every ASRL financial rower for this season with a Floatation Vest manufactured by SurfVest Australia.

1. - SurfVest (including buoyancy pack)
2. - Business Shirt
3. - Cap
4. - Car Sticker
5. - Membership for 2012-2013 Season
6. - Entry into Navy Surf Rowers Series & ASRL Open

The retail value of the floatation vest, shirt and cap alone is $120 so add in the individual ASRL membership of $15 and entry into any free Navy Series events plus the ASRL Open and this is a very good deal.

Our urgent issue is that we have to manufacture the vests to suit body size and weight so we can’t just pre order thousands of Vests and hope they fit. We need you all to act now and complete the attached entry form with all fields completed and return it to the Treasurer.  We do require all fields completed as we legally need to be able to record the contact details for all members.

Please click HERE to download the form and the aim is to have the majority of crews in the system before the end of October so we can have your personal SurfVest manufactured and ready for your first event.

Remember most States are legislating that every competitor must be wearing a Fluro singlet to compete so with the joining fee you will have a conforming fluro singlet as part of the SurfVest so no need to double up on that expense.

SurfVest have kindly offered to provide an additional training/competition vest (no floatation pads as you will already have those) to every member for a further cost of $35. If you want to take up this offer please let us know at time of joining.

The ASRL Newsletter #32 for September, 2012 has been released.

Flotation Vests: As you will now know as part of your membership for this season you will receive a Navy Floatation Vest. We thank the boys from SurfVest who have been working very hard with us to provide the vest (image attached). Much has been said about if we should or shouldn't be wearing vests. It hasn't been made compulsory by SLS for competitors to wear them but your ASRL committee has jumped onto the front foot in leading the way by providing every member with a floatation vest. We also are not saying you must wear the floatation pads but if you have them and the surfs up why wouldn't you take the extra care. Download the Newsletter for the full story...

The ASRL encourages all Members to download and read the Newsletter as it contains important issues regarding the upcoming season.

Click HERE to download this Newsletter and previous issues.

The ASRL would like to thank Kim Marsh, Grant Wilkinson, ASRL committee members and SLSA for the work that has gone into this document.

This circular has been developed by ASRL/SBC and SLSA to provide further education regarding the starting process for Surf Boats to Officials and surf boat sweeps/coaches and athletes.

Hopefully we see both boat crews and Officials embrace this process resulting in a better end product for the sport.

You can download the document by clicking on the circular image or by clicking HERE

As most of you are aware, at our ASRL May Conference Dave Thompson SLSA made an offer for the Boat Rowers to be represented at a high level meeting to inspect possible venues for the Australian Titles to be held on the Gold Coast in 2013. This meeting took place last Friday 1st of June.

With clear direction from our national survey and recommendations from the May Conference Scott Tannahill and I attended the Meeting.

SLSA had invited a cross section of experts from various interests. Council Life Guards, managers, SLSA Officials, SLSA Sports Managers, ASRL and some of the most regarded athletes of our time. Names such as Shannon Eckstein, Grant Kenny, Darren Mercer, Phil Clayton, Mark Williams and Kristyl Smith brought so much grass roots passion and experience to the forum. It was great to listen to their input and see Dave Thompson and Rick Wright welcome their comments and questions.

The day began with a 2 hour meeting at Kurrawa where an open forum was conducted. Information was presented on the reason for change. Discussions on various issues and recommendations from the floor were noted. The ASRL were singled out to give the meeting an overview of the preferences of where we would like to see the boats operate. In accordance with our May Conference we explained the difficulties of achieving a fair course at North Kirra and that Tugun closely followed by North Burleigh would be our first choices. It was explained that Tugun was the first beach that straightened out north of North Kirra and provided the best opportunity to set two fair areas.

We went on to explain that North Kirra would be our preferred back up beach and with all surf options exhausted, Redcliffe would be our last option. For those of you not familiar with Redcliffe Beach, it's inside Morton Bay, approximately 90 minutes north of the Gold Coast. Redcliffe has hosted several Queensland events including State Championships Boat Events several years ago when they had to be relocated from the Sunshine Coast due to large surf conditions. It was reinforced and confirmed that Coomera Lake would not be an option.

In accordance with clause 28.1(a), the ASRL Committee hereby calls for nominations for Secretary, President, Treasurer and 6 x Vice Presidents. Nominations must be made in writing, signed by 2 Members and accompanied by the nominee's written consent. Nominations must be delivered to the ASRL Committee by no later than 5.00pm 15 June 2012, 28 days prior to the ASRL Annual General Meeting (which shall be held on 14 July 2012).

The Secretary:

The President:

The Treasurer:

The Vice Presidents:

Trish McDermott

Committee Nomination form can be downloaded HERE (pdf reader required)

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:

Agenda

Open Forum will commence at the close of the AGM

Notice of Motion:

Move that the Life Membership to the ASRL be confirmed for Rick Miller. This was a special case resolution endorsed by the ASRL committee at the 2012 Australian championships. It was voted on by acclamation on the beach at Nth Kirra and passed overwhelmingly. This motion is to confirm that resolution.

Mover; Michael King, seconder; Greg Davies

Notice of 2012 AGM:

May Conference:

To provide you all with some indication on how seriously the ASRL/SBC take this opportunity to address our future these are the agenda items to be discussed at the May conference. Twenty plus sweeps representing every State will be in attendance along with many of our National and State Referees.

We are acknowledging the past but concentrating on the future in this debate. What we all want is the best for our sport and by airing all these issues in a controlled way we hope to come out the other side with some good gains.

We did make the call for contributions to the agenda and received two suggestions that are included below. We have had some people call wanting to see an open forum for all to attend. We have such a forum already and it's called the AGM. You elect a committee each year to run the ASRL and that is what they are doing by organising this set of discussions between members from SLSA, our boat officials and a representation of sweeps. Unfortunately we can't open the doors further because firstly where do we stop and secondly if a committee of one is the best committee this group of 40 in full cry will be difficult to control.

ASRL Open Stockton Feb 2012:

We will probably never reach the perfect world some crave but I would like to provide a little background and comment on some aspects of the event so everyone can have a better understanding on how decisions are reached.

Some website comments are fair and well thought through and will be the subject of the committee debrief. Like it or not we now live in a different world where checks and balances are part of our life. The trick for us all is to learn to work within the process and if we find a process that can be bettered then we should and will make representations for change.

Friday:

Most of our problems centred on the Friday and will be the subject of a lot of discussion before next year. Things like which division starts the day, where best to place our showpiece Interstate event (and that may require a change of day) will all be looked at. Presentations will be another area to discuss

The Interstate Championship held for the first time as the official SLSA event and including all divisions of racing was brought forward by an hour so we could be assured of completing the event prior to the SLS shut down curfew. For those that aren't aware a new rule exists that states an event requires a 1.5 hour daylight search gap from the completion of the last race. The WSO had determined that we needed to be finished racing by 6pm and this was a no brainer until "that Storm" broke and forced the suspension of racing at the start of the Interstate for over 30 minutes. The very disappointing result for competitors and spectators was that we lost the Interstate relay component because we couldn't have completion by the 6pm cut off.

Saturday:

Open crews were on the line ready for the gun at 7.30 and the sky went black and yet another storm hit with a vengeance resulting in another shutdown. Again the rules are that we shut down for something like 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning so while ever the lightning flashes the clock ticks.

Some other comments have been made around the racing course. One of the initiatives that the ASRL has championed in the last few years is to introduce a Course Manager role (now being taken up at National level which is great). This position is held by an experienced non competing boatie who operates between the Referee's & Boat Panel and is constantly working with a level of autonomy with the IRB crews to adjust the racing course. There comes a time where we have to accept that those responsible have done everything possible to keep the racing as fair as possible given what the ocean is throwing at us. You must always remember that at best we cover roughly 200M of beach per area and not many beaches provide equal conditions for 400+M.

Sunday:

We took the maximum number of crews we could through in each division and raced two areas eliminated crews down to eight crews per division per area. These crews then came together into the northern arena for all finals. The racing was unbelievably fast, close and exciting. If you want racing where you fall over a monster and across the line then Stockton wasn't your beach but if you want reward for hard work, good coaching and speed your crew would have loved it. It had waves ranging from testing on Friday to small on Sunday but the crews with the surf ability milked the best of each run and it was a pleasure to watch good rowing skills at work.