WAUCHOPE-Bonny Hills Surf Lifesaving Club know they are up against it in round four and five of the North Coast Surfboat Series at Tea Gardens.
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In the annual “street series” against crews from Newcastle and Central Coast, boat captain Wayne Dickson said they were looking forward to the challenge.
“They’re the next step up in class, no doubt about that,” he said.
Bonnies’ reserve men’s crew currently occupy the top rung with a nine-point lead over Woolgoolga.
Surf conditions at Tea Gardens are expected to include wave heights of a metre and a half which should suit the Wauchope-Bonny Hills crew.
“Last year it was massive and even though it should die down it will still be over head height,” Dickson said.
“You’ve still got to use all your ability because I’m big on surf skills.
“Anyone can row a boat, but not everyone knows how to do it well.”
Dickson expected their under-23 ladies crew to “do okay.”
“They were in the open division last round and finished third which was a great result,” he said.
“Sometimes you find with the girls they’re a little bit timid, but these girls just go for it.”
Dickson said the secret to success at Tea Gardens was with “aggressive” rowing.
“If you’re not on top of your game the surf can dominate you,” he said.
“Once you start floundering you’re at the mercy of the ocean; you’ve got to hit it, not the other way around.”