Batemans Marine Park Authority Sponsors Gruelling Surf Boat Race

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

The Batemans Marine Park Authority, one of the major sponsors of The Navy George Bass Surf Boat Marathon, has wished all the surf-boat crews participating in this summer’s gruelling race the best of luck.

Tathra Surf Lifesaving Club boat crew in training for The Navy George Bass Surf Boat Marathon

Organisers say the race, which is held along the NSW far south coast from Batemans Bay to Eden, is the longest in the world, covering nearly 180 kilometres. It will start on Sunday 30 December and end on 5 January 2008.

The manager of the Batemans Marine Park Dr Brendan Kelaher said he was delighted the Marine Park Authority had been able to contribute $9000 to the event, which earlier this year had been without a major sponsor and he thanked the former acting Marine Park Manager Sue Brown for her contribution in organising the sponsorship.

He said the biannual event, which has been held on 16 occasions, since the mid-1970s would travel through the length of the new Batemans Marine Park.

“We’re so proud of the Batemans Marine Park and to have such a prestigious event as The Navy George Bass taking part in the park is a wonderful opportunity to show the rest of the country how magnificent this natural asset is.”

Race director Greg Malavey thanked the Marine Park Authority for its contribution to “one of the toughest sea events in the world”.

He said along with other major sponsors such as the Australian Navy and Clean Energy for Eternity the Marine Park Authority was contributing to the longevity of the event.

“It’s the toughest surf boat race in the world. I can’t stress that enough. It’s like doing an ultra-marathon every day for 7 days. It’s man and woman against nature in a row boat.”