On Monday 24 January, a group of competitive rowers will attempt the first ever surfboat crossing of Bass Strait including Rob Pollock of Moruya.
The team members work in various fields – stonemasonry, orthopaedic surgery, landscape gardening, science, physiotherapy and business, to name a few – yet are united by their love of rowing, staying fit and healthy… and talking rubbish while out training together!
They are accustomed to open-ocean and marathon rowing, with most having competed in multiple George Bass Marathons or training events of similar distances.
Having previously braved inclement weather, and possibly their families’ wrath for dodging weekend chores, team members are familiar with the toll of sustained rowing on their bodies – the strains, the blisters – and will be suitably prepared.
Departing from Port Albert in Victoria’s South Gippsland, the Rowers will camp overnight at each of seven six legs (islands) across the approx. 350km stretch. And, depending on weather conditions, plan to arrive at Little Musselroe Bay on the north-east tip of Tasmania sometime between 30 January and 6 February!
The team will be donating their surfboat to Port Sorrel SLSC, a Tasmanian surf club, that does not currently have one.
Several of the group have experienced the Clown Doctors™ program firsthand and have generously decided to direct fundraising efforts to support expansion of the program.
Clown Doctors have been delivering laughter and joy to kids having treatment for illness or injury in hospital for almost 25 years.
They will be there to greet the Rowers, along with media and possibly a Guinness World Records adjudicator!
Dig deep and support the team in their fundraising efforts for Clown Doctor ‘rounds’ – and brighten the lives of sick kids in hospital during the holidays.
To donate please google ‘bass strait miles for smiles’ or CLICK HERE.
The individuals involved in the row are;
Beau and Wes Dredge, Joe Isaacs, Andrew Lawson and Phil Vial from Wanda
Braden Fleming from North Cronulla
Travis Latter from Currumbin
Brendan Constable and Rod Patmore from Narooma
Rob Pollock from Broulee Surfers.
They will be accompanied by Jack Patison (Austinmer) on his ski and Kai Latter with his camera to document the journey.
Special thanks to Currumbin and Narooma SLSCs for donating surfboat equipment and to Wanda and Broulee Surfers SLSCs for loaning equipment for the journey.
