The Batemans Bay Open Men's surfboat crew finally claimed state gold.
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The team; Brendan Ellis, Mick Bellette, Luke Price, Wayne Coppin and sweep Neil Innes celebrated the long-awaited victory of the NSW Surf Lifesaving Championships at Swansea Belmont on Sunday, March 8.
Making waves look like ripples, the crew blitzed off the start and rowed through the break with no stoppages. Mid-race, the crew fell back in the field, neck-and-neck with Bulli and North Cronulla.
At the buoy turn, they were a nose behind Bulli. It was the home-stretch where the Bay crew proved their strength.
Through powerful form, the boat was lifted onto a green wave. A crowd cheered as the wave picked up the boat giving the Bay a clear run to the finish.
Standing on the beach, spectators gasped as they watched a wall of white water slew the boat sideways.
With Bulli and Elouera edging closer, a quick response was needed. Sweep Neil Innes wrangled the boat back as the crew rowed to a gold-medal finish.
READ MORE: Bay's surfboat boys up there with the best
Second-stroke rower Brendan Ellis felt relieved after the win.
"It was good to get the monkey off our back, because over the past five or six years we have only been able to get thirds and silvers," Ellis said.
"Finally, it feels good to break Bulli's stranglehold on the competition."
Despite having a disjointed season due to the bushfire disaster, Ellis said the lads were charged and keen to take out the Australian Title next.
Batemans Bay Phoenix women's crew won the Masters 180-years division on Friday. The crew had intentions to take out the Female Reserve division as well but unfortunately pulled out due to an injury.
The Broulee Wombats raced in the Open Women's final and placed fourth.
The Moruya under-19s also made the finals and placed fifth overall.
Further up the beach, Narooma's Elli Beecham battled it out in the under-17s beach events.
She achieved her personal best, placing 10th overall in the female flags.
READ MORE: Elli Beecham's triple triumph