It was a mix of experience and youth that set the One Life Batemans Bay women's crew up for success in the final round of Ocean Thunder on Saturday, April 3.
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"We had calm heads and keen, hungry, young heads that came together well," sweep Neil Innes said.
"The girls really impressed me and pushed above their weight. What they did was exceptional."
The team consisted of Tracy Innes, Rebecca Petersen, Lizzy Ladmore, Megan Douros, Natalie Hancock, Trista Murphy and Neil Innes. They claimed a winning prize of $2500.
The 2021 Ocean Thunder Surfboat Series was fast-paced, with an average of 10 races each round at Dee Why.
Races were approximately 800m through the surf and around buoy cans, with boats aiming to be first back to shore before sending bow rowers on a sprint to the finish flag.
Cumulative results of four rounds determined the series winner - which was a close one-point difference between Batemans Bay and the North Cronulla womens crews.
The series began in 2005, designed for elite and professional men and womens crews. It claims to be the best-run surfboat racing event "in the universe".
Since its beginning, Batemans Bay is one of few clubs to have entered crews each year.
Innes said the event is the ultimate test, mentally and physically.
"You are racing the best of the crews, you hook in and do a lot of hard racing in a short time - there's no staleness about it," Innes said.
Ocean Thunder also made great action for television, with the series featuring on FOX SPORTS. The first three rounds had gnarly seas.
There was boat carnage and many spectacular moments.
Innes was proud to sweep both women and men's crews.
"I was impressed with both crews' efforts, especially in the very testing conditions of the first three rounds," he said.
READ MORE: Round three Ocean Thunder surfboat thrills
The MESCO Broulee women's crew finished the series in the middle of the field, placing 8th overall.
Bulli took out the overall series in the men's division with 26 points. Newport finished in second place with 22 points followed by Batemans Bay with 21 points.
Four Batemans Bay crews will compete at the State Titles in Swansea on Sunday before the season finisher, the Aussie Titles, in Queensland.
