Seaweed makes maiden voyage, with veteran at helm

SHELLHARBOUR SURF CLUB
ROB McALISTER

SHELLHARBOUR Surf Club launched its newest surf boat, the Seaweed on Sunday.

The ceremony came not long after the recent naming ceremony, which was held in honour of club stalwart Alex “Seaweed” Smith.

In recognition of the event and as surf club tradition dictates, Alex swept the new boat for its first outing on the ocean.

His crew on the day was made up of members from the club’s current rowing squads: Ros Lucas, Samantha Bartlett, Paul Schultze and Scott Brown.

All four crew members have been rowing for the past five seasons and have been an integral part of the revival of surf boat rowing at the Shellharbour club.

The new boat, manufactured by Perry Surf Boats from Manly, uses the most up-to-date methods of design, construction and materials.

The boats are in high demand with surf clubs Australia-wide. Waiting time for delivery of these craft is at least six months.

Meanwhile, Shellharbour’s boat crews will be busy for the remainder of the 2007-08 surf lifesaving season.

Crews and boats will be competing in carnivals most weekends between now and the Australian Titles, which will be held at Perth in April.

Shellharbour have six crews in training, including two development squads that consist of members who are just 16 years of age.

Boat rowing is open to any member of a surf club who holds their surf bronze medallion.

There are age groups and divisions, male and female, from under 19 through to veteran crews.

Anyone interested in joining the Shellharbour Club boat crews can call down to the club and see boat captain Mark Bartlett or email the club at shellharbourslsc@bigpond.com for further information.