Swell Swamps Surfboats

Illawarra Mercury

Monday February 25, 2008

By TIM KEEBLE

BRUTAL conditions forced organisers to abandon Saturday's final round of the Warilla Bowls Surf Boat Series at Warilla.

Competitors were greeted by a daunting 2m swell and the writing was on the wall from the outset when one of Bulli's crews was pummelled in the warm-up and failed to start.

"When we lost a crew before we'd even started, it soon became obvious that the attrition rate would be high," said series co-ordinator John Masters.

Racing got underway on schedule, but crews dropped like flies in the punishing swell during the opening round.

Only one round could be completed in the under 19 men and under 23 women. The more senior divisions were halted after a carnage-filled second round.

Batemans Bay were declared series winners in the open men, while Austinmer White and Batemans Bay Divas shared the open women's title.

Helensburgh-Stanwell Park claimed the under 23 women's crown from Port Kembla and Shellharbour. Bulli Gold and Kiama were equal winners in the under 19 men.

Masters conceded it wasn't an ideal finale for the 68 crews contesting the series.

However, he said safety would not be compromised.

"Racing in the other divisions continued for round two, but deteriorating surf conditions and the mounting damage toll forced the cancellation of the third round of all divisions and we went straight to finals," he said.

"By that stage we already had several damaged boats and an increasing number of bruised competitors."

Corrimal Caravans prevailed in the reserve men, holding off Austinmer Blue and clubmates Corrimal Crabs.

Broulee won the under 23 men's final and Woonona Black did likewise in the veteran's division class.

Following the veteran's final, the decision was then made to abandon open division finals.

"The damaged gear toll was still rising and the waves actually increased in size, so the open men and women winners were determined by the points gained in the preliminary rounds," Master said.

"The conditions prevented crews from having as much racing as they would have liked, but the welfare of the competitors was the first priority, especially with the state championships just around the corner."

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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