Australia, home of so many water sports, is the birth place of surf rowing where racing in surf boats evolved within the Surf Life Saving Clubs in Sydney. The image of the bronzed "Ozzies" rowing out through pumping surf has become one of their national icons. The first surf boat was built in 1913 for the Manly Life Saving Club as a means to rescue drifting bathers.

By 1920 surf rowing competition had developed to such an extent that it was included as an event in the Australian Surf Life Saving Titles. The surf boat design specifications were formally drawn up in 1955 and although new construction methods have been introduced, the dimensions of the modern Surfboats have changed little since then.

What is A Surf Boat?

A surf boat is a vessel that carries the five male or females from the sand through the break and back. The boat is powered by a four person crew, equipped with oars and is steered by a fifth person – the sweep.  

The boat is constructed from fibreglass and measures up to 7.9 meters and up to 1.62 meters in width.  Competition restrictions ensure that the boats have a minimum weight of 209 kilograms.  A surf boat is not a small piece of equipment.