Action and photo gallery from two-day surf boat carnival at Macksville
Big waves forced a major surf boat carnival near Coffs Harbour to be moved to a river – the format and action on show had everyone talking. SEE THE PHOTOS
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Mountainous waves derailed Plan A for a major surf boat carnival at the weekend but the back-up strategy was more than a winner for punters.
Competitive racing roared through the heart of Macksville township on the NSW Mid North Coast.
Some 280 rowers attended the two-day event – with crews from as far south as Umina and north to Maroochydore on the Queensland Sunshine Coast attending.
Hosted by the Macksville-Scotts Head Surf Life Saving Club, racing was originally set for open waters – but pounding four-metre high waves ruled that out.
“It was graded as dangerous. Surf boat rowers are risk-takers but the risk was too high because you can get serious injuries and broken gear,” local boat captain Michael Coulter said.
Plan B saw the racing moved to the Nambucca River – the upshot was that the move gave the public a rare close-up view of the action.
“The aficionados say with surf boat racing (in the ocean) all you see is them going out and coming back. You never see them turning, which is a big part of racing,” Mr Coulter said.
“It hasn’t been done in the river for decades but everyone was pretty happy.
“You could actually sit on the veranda of The Star Hotel and watch everything.”
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Saturday’s racing on the Nambucca was held on an 800-metre out and back course, with a shorter 500m event on the Sunday.
Points tallies were attributed to either the North Coast or Central Coast competitions.
Like LIV Golf and T20 cricket innovations, the closed water surf boat racing format had plenty of admirers.
“There’s talk we might hold a series in the river next September,” Mr Coulter said.
The event and influx of crew – including a large number from the Central Coast with clubs such as Avoca Beach – also provided an economic windfall for the Nambucca Valley.
“Many stayed here for the best part of a week,” Mr Coulter said.
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