Two Canberra Vikings open crews will join the open women’s team, Bradbury Chooks, the under 23 men’s and under 19 teams.

The Bradbury Chooks and the Cockerels – under 19s – will be hoping to crack the winners’ list but won’t be fazed if they miss out.

The crews are focused on learning from experience as they set their sights on the three premier events next year – the Australian Surf Rowers League Open, the NSW Championships and the National Championships.

Jane Coppin, Melissa Van Weerdenburg, Nicole Cowdroy and Clare Immens formed the Bradbury Chooks mid-way through last season after completing Tough Mudder together.

Jane and Van Weerdenburg rowed for Moruya more than 13 years ago while Cowdroy and Immens were first-time rowers last season. 

The group have 11 kids between them and some children watch, or play in the sand, while their mothers take turns on the boat training at Shelley Beach. 

It’s a balancing act for the group as they train three times a week in the boat with gym sessions on off days, but the crew remains committed.

“The reason it works well is because we all have kids and we’re heading in the same direction,” Cowdroy said.

The Chooks’ sweep Bert Hunt said the crew was building nicely and had thought about contesting next year’s George Bass Surfboat Marathon but would decide closer to the date.

“There has been talk of it,” Hunt said.

On the other end of the scale are the club’s freshest crew, the Cockerels. 

Cockerels’ sweep Brad Coppin formed the crew after giving his school-based apprentice, Ford Ferguson, an ultimatum. 

“I agreed if he roped in three to four boys for a crew,” Brad said.

Callum Duncan is the oldest member at 17 with Ferguson, Casey Jackson and Brae Campbell still 16.

Brad believed the boys were on their way to being a competitive crew in the next few seasons with the improvement he had already noticed.

“We’ve been to a few carnivals and they’re not too far behind junior crews that have been rowing for two to three years,” he said.

Like the Chooks, the under 19s men’s crew are learning techniques and building experience in the surf by training in the boat at least three times a week.

“The boys have shown great dedication, they have not missed a session and they are sponges for knowledge,” Brad said.

On New Years Day the club will launch its new boat at Moruya Heads.