NSW Surf Boat Team Manager, Greg Heard believes that a Championships victory is just around the corner after a heartbreaking result at the 2024 Surf Boat Interstate Championships saw NSW settle for silver behind fellow powerhouse, Queensland, after no less than five countbacks.
“It was an exceptionally cruel way to come second, after requiring a win in Surfboat Relay to level the pointscore and lapping the field in the process,” Greg said.
The team performed extremely well under pressure in the final relay in Lorne, Victoria, however some bad luck in earlier races ultimately proved the difference as Queensland took first place honours courtesy of the countback system.
“You can always expect some luck to not go your way, that’s surf boat racing, but I was exceptionally proud of the humility and sportsmanship shown by the team once news of the countback sunk in,” Greg added.
After battling for positions in the team over three selection rounds, NSW fielded a strong squad to make the trip south of the Murray River.
“The depth of surf boat talent in NSW is evidenced by the selection of only one returning crew from last year’s team” said Team Captain, Renee Pattison of Port Kembla SLSC.
“You really need to be at the top of your game to earn selection in the team and crews carried their strong performances from the selection events into battle against the other states. I was exceptionally proud of the performance of the team.”
The depth of talent in surf boats will be on show again in a couple of weekends to crown our State Champions, followed by the Interseries weekend at Ocean Beach on the Central Coast in early April.
“We have seen a large increase in the number of crews entered in the State Championships, particularly in the underage categories,” Greg said.
“The Interseries weekend, too, is an exciting addition to the calendar and it’s generating a lot of interest within the surf boat fraternity.
“I sense NSW crews, given the level of racing in the lead up to Aussies, will no doubt be in the medals come late April.”
Whilst it wasn’t to be for NSW in Lorne this year, there’s a sense that NSW is only one stroke away from reclaiming the Surf Boat Interstate title.
Wednesday 28 February 2024
