Warriewood women’s crew have whale of a time training for surfboat events
This surfboat crew from Warriewood really do have a whale of a time when they are out training.
Mosman
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They are a tight knit surfboat crew with the results to prove age is no barrier to success and a video showing they have a whale of a time when they are out rowing.
Rowing together for six years under the guidance of sweep Russell Lamb, the Warriewood women’s crew regularly heads out to sea on wildlife finding missions.
But two years ago they got more than they bargained for after sighting a pod of whales in the distance.
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“We were rowing north because Russell had seen some (whales) on the horizon,’’ said stroke Kathryn Maguire. from Bilgola.
“We got such a shock. We were thinking it would take 30 minutes to get there and the next thing the mother and calf came up right beside us. They could have come up under the boat but they didn’t
“It was just amazing. Just unbelievable.’’
The close encounter was caught on camera and the team share it on social media each year in October.
#SURFBOATS // Sometimes special things happen at dawn in the ocean. Here’s the Warriewood SLSC Rusty’s crew having a very memorable morning paddle. Just one reason to get into Surf Boats this season. pic.twitter.com/h509ItLl50
— Surf Life Saving NSW (@slsnsw) October 15, 2019
The Warriewood crew of Avalon sweep Lamb, Maguire, second stroke Alex Coates from Avalon and second bow Lou Kemp from Newport, compete in the 200 category which reflects their ages added together.
“We go from 48 to 59 and have been together about six years now,’’ Maguire said.
“We have got to know each other very well because we are together a lot, training three times on the water each week.
“And we train at 5.30am because you can’t say you are busy at 5.30am so we have no excuse for not doing it.’’
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Their dedication has seen them snare every major title in their age class, from the NSW and three successive Australian crowns to a world title in Adelaide last summer.
They will also contest their first event of the season this weekend at Bigola.
And while they thrive in a competitive environment they enjoy rowing for the pleasure of being on the ocean.
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“We often go out whale watching. We just row out and row out until we see them,’’ Maguire said.
“We have been lucky on many occasions. Other times we see dolphins or sometimes, turtles.
“It’s just beautiful out there.’’