SURF SAFARI

For half a century the toughest and bravest among us have got out on the water to pit their skills against the best paddlers and rowers in the business in Hobart’s gruelling Surf Safari where it’s on for young and old

12 The 50th anniversary of this gruelling and celebrated Tasmanian water sport event promises to be bigger than ever.

When competitors lined up for the very first Surf Safari event 50 years ago, conditions were not for the faint hearted. Back then it was a gruelling 20 nautical mile race (almost 40kms) from Hobart to Lewisham, which required just as much heavy-lifting ability as paddling prowess. Entrants dashed into the water at the starting line at Hobart Regatta Grounds before making their way along the River Derwent and into Ralphs Bay.

When they got to the causeway at Lauderdale the real challenge kicked in — boat crews and surf ski paddlers were required to hoist their vessels high on their shoulders and carry them overland as a throng of enthusiastic spectators cheered.

The entrants re-entered the water for the final stage of the event across Frederick Henry Bay to the finish line opposite the Lewisham Tavern where weary but triumphant paddlers celebrated their achievement with a cold beer.

Surf Safari stalwart Don Marsh has fond memories of the event’s early days, having competed as a ski paddler when the event was in its infancy. “I certainly didn’t do the first one but I started when it was in its second or third year,’’ recalls the 68year-old who was about 20 when he finished his first Surf Safari.

Fresh from completing the 21km Coolangatta Gold earlier this month, Marsh, of Sandford, will not compete in this year’s Surf Safari, concentrating instead on his role as event co-ordinator.

This year’s anniversary event, on Saturday November 3, promises to be big. More than 150 entries have been received, a similar number to the first event in 1969, with at least 50 more expected in coming days.

The event is now on the River Derwent, starting and finishing at Lower Sandy Bay with no need for an overland dash. Marsh says the ethos of the safari remains the same. One of the longest running surf events in Australia, it is a highlight of the surf sports calendar in Tasmania and attracts strong interest from interstate competitors keen to test their skills in the elite endurance event and pick up points as part of the Australian Ocean Racing Series.

Marsh believes the lure of such a challenging — and ultimately fun — event remains strong and he hopes this enthusiasm continues well into the future.

While the original event was only open to registered surf lifesavers in boats or on skis, across a single distance, the modern event caters to all ages and abilities and is not restricted to members of surf clubs. In recent years the Surf Safari program has been extended to include ocean skis, stand-up paddle boards, outriggers, junior boards and shorter distance events, including 6km and 12km as well as the longer 21km category. Children as young as 10 can compete in 2km and 4km paddles on nipper boards.

Most are out-and-back events, with the exception of the downwind open and master 21km event, which will be run from either Tinderbox to Sandy Bay or Claremont to Sandy Bay subject to the weather.

“I think any event that is endurance in nature, that is challenging, people will always be looking to do something like that,’’ Marsh explains of the event’s long-running appeal. “It has always been regarded as the forerunner for preparing life savers for the patrolling season [which starts at the beginning of December] … it keeps people training over the winter months.’’

The Surf Safari was started by the late Eoin McDonald, a member of what was then the Park Beach Surf Club, and the Mercury has been a long-time sponsor.

The event’s honour board has been adorned with plenty of high-profile names, including former surf lifesaving world champion Julian Norton-Smith, former world ironman champion Zane Holmes, former Olympic kayaker Dan Collins, and current ironman and ironwoman stars Matt Bevilacqua and Allie Britton.

For Carlton Park Surf Lifesaving Club president Craig Mackinnon, the Surf Safari represents the first surf event he competed in. “I joined the club when I was in my early 20s and a friend got me into surf boat rowing,’’ the 45-year-old recalls. “The first event I ever did was the Safari and I got hooked.’’

He’s only missed about three Surf Safaris in the past 20 years and he’s won a few along the way. He took a break last year but he’s coming out of retirement this year for the 21km event to celebrate the 50th anniversary. Mackinnon’s two sons, aged 11 and 13, will compete in the 2km and 4km events and he says it’s a great event for bringing families — and surf clubs — together.

“It tests you physically and mentally,’’ Mackinnon says of why he loves the event. “You’re going for over two hours for the long course, your body goes through a fair bit of pain and your mind starts playing games on you. We probably do a bit of whingeing and moaning at the end of the races but we always come back next year.’’

Although Mackinnon, from Lindisfarne, admits the event is harder than it used to be. “I’m getting on — the body doesn’t do exactly as I tell it,’’ he laughs. “We’re hoping to do well, we definitely put in a bit of training to make sure we don’t embarrass ourselves.’’

Marsh has put out a call for older or past competitors keen to “brush off the cobwebs” to come forward for the anniversary celebrations. The Peppermint Bay Ferry will allow spectators to follow the action on the water, while there are vantage points along the banks of the River Derwent.

“I think there will be lots of people that will turn up on the day just to be part of the celebrations,’’ Marsh says. “We’re really trying to make it something special. And in terms of entries it’s certainly the strongest numbers we’ve had for many, many years.’’

In the early days, participants earnt a singlet for competing in the race — and similar souvenir singlets are making a comeback this year for the anniversary.

Although competitors are no longer paddling to Lewisham there will still be cool beverages at an after-party and award presentation at the Hobart Brewing Co.

“If you can paddle that far, you deserve a beer at the end,’’ Marsh says.