The George Bass Marathon launched at Batemans Bay on December 28, but was cancelled on day two due to bushfires which ravaged the coast.

The Bass claims to be the toughest and longest ocean marathon in the world, where competitors battle the elements of almost 190km of coastline.

The 2019/2020 event had the biggest field of competitors since 1988. Not to mention double the number of ski paddlers compared to previous years.

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Organisers Sue Hunt and Andrew Holt were devastated the event was cancelled, but said it was necessary.

As fires burned in the north, the event was seemed to be heading away from danger. It was New Year's eve, when the Badja Forest fire took a turn for the worst, claiming lives and threatening villages in the south.

Crews were spread out between Batemans Bay and Bermagui, prepared to race the third leg from Tuross Head to Narooma, when chaos struck.

The event was cancelled and competitors used their lifesaving skills to help at evacuation centres.

"That morning, I was at Bermagui and could hear trailers getting driven around early at 4am; I woke up and it was all the evacuees coming to the showground," Holt said.

"Every single George Bass competitor at Bermagui, Narooma, Moruya and Batemans Bay helped in some way or another.

"The competitors were great, (were) so understanding and felt so much passion for the South Coast.

"They went back to their clubs and were donating goods back to us - the surf club fraternity has been unbelievable."

Over the years, the George Bass has been a huge economy booster for the South Coast and its smaller villages, attracting hundreds of competitors and their families, support crew and spectators.

Hunt said the event had transformed from "a boy's own adventure to a family adventure".

"Old rowers were coming out of the woodwork, bringing their families along for the adventure," she said.

Despite the race being cut short, Hunt said all competitors said "they'll be back" eager to complete the seven days.

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At a recent meeting, the committee discussed when to schedule the next event.

Holt said it was suggested to run the Bass next year, but instead a decision was made to keep it as a "traditional biennial event".

"Running the event next year wouldn't have worked financially and with the coronavirus," Holt said.

Planning and process approvals were underway for the 2022 event, with flyers being mailed out to each surf club in Australia next week. Meanwhile, as the branch surf sports director, Holt was attending state meetings to adapt surf lifesaving events to suit the "COVID-19 environment".

Open Men: 1^st - Bulli, 2^nd - Moruya Canberra Vikings, 3^rd - Henley SA.

Open Women: 1^st - Torquay Allform, 2^nd - North Cronulla, 3^rd - Broulee Wombats.

Vets Women: 1^st - Moruya Canberra Vikings, 2^nd - Tathra, 3^rd - Pambula.

Vets Men: 1^st - Wanda, 2^nd - Bulli, 3^rd - Corrimal.

Super Vets: 1^st - North Cronulla, 2^nd - Grange SA, 3^rd - Long Reef.