Navy GEORGE BASS SURFBOAT MARATHON SPONSORSHIP

The George Bass Surfboat Marathon – the longest, toughest surf boat race in open sea in the world – is again being sponsored by the Royal Australian Navy.

Members of the teams competing in the gruelling 180 kilometre event, commencing in Batemans Bay on 3 January 2010 and finishing seven days later in Eden, attended the formal launch event at Bulli Surf Club today.

Head of Navy People and Reputation, Commodore David Letts said the Navy is proud to again sponsor the George Bass Surfboat Marathon in 2010.

“The 35^th George Bass Surfboat Marathon this coming January will be contested by Australia’s best surf-rowing teams with the spectacle expected to attract an audience of thousands of South Coast beach goers,” Commodore Letts said.

“Navy supports the Australian Surf Rower League and the George Bass Surfboat Marathon because of an alignment of many of the attributes of surf rowing and the Navy itself. Both surf rowing and Navy requires teamwork, courage, fitness and service.”

Navy’s connection to the marathon is further strengthened as George Bass was a Royal Navy officer who in 1797, with a crew of six naval oarsmen, rowed a longboat – not unlike an original double-ended clinker surf boat – from Sydney down the NSW coast and around the southern end of Victoria, mapping the coastline as they went.

“The George Bass Marathon will again require tremendous physical endurance and be a mental challenge for all the competitors but the reward of success and achievement through team work will be well worth it,” Commodore Letts said.

“In the same way, a career in Navy brings many of the same rewards and satisfaction so I recommend those in, and associated with, the surf rowing community to explore the adventurous, fulfilling jobs on offer in Navy by going to defencejobs.gov.au or by calling 13 1901.

“Good luck to all those competing in the George Bass Surfboat Marathon and best wishes for a successful preparation,” Commodore Letts said.   

Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664