COASTAL ROWING EXCITEMENT       

Crew: Linda Grams, Darryl Gerson, Julia & Richard Trotter, cox: Creagh Mecham 

             Crossing the bar into Laguna Bay (this may take a few minutes to load)    

Coastal rowers do not row on flat water! A trip without any waves is, for many coastal rowers, utterly devoid of interest.

The challange of coastal rowing is pitting yourself against the elements. It developes physical well-being and is exhilerating. It is also more easily learned than still water rowing, due to the stability and robustness of coastal rowing boats, especially built for coastal conditions. There is great excitment about cutting through waves lapping at your boat and sometimes washing over the deck. Coastal rowing may not be for the faint-hearted but you can't replicate the feeling of catching a wave in challenging conditions. This builds comaraderie, you'll find coastal rowers are a very friendly lot! 

But knowing how to handle a coastal rowing boat isn't sufficient to become a good coastal rower. Crews must be aware of tides, wind, waves and currents, learn about the river, estuaries and bays that they are rowing. Knowledge of maritime traffic rules, buoy's beacons and lights is important in many areas. Crews should be situationally aware and be able to read and interprid maps and weather. Rowers should be able to swim at least 300 metres and always have a life jacket at hand.

Having an experienced coxswain is essential when crossing bars and operating in exposed or rough waters.

By following a few basic marine safety rules, coastal rowing gives rowers a new freedom to experience the magic moments of some of the best waterways in the world. The camaraderie and enjoyment of tour rowing is second to non. Tour rowers have a national and international perspective. If you are in the area where a coastal boat is based go for a row and experience the exhilaration. If you are from a place where we have yet to place a boat, give us a call and we may be able to arrange a tour for you, this would be best for a crew of four reasonable experienced rowers. Happy rowing, we look forward to hearing from you.

Tour rowing near Couran Cove, South Stradbroke Is.