The Red Beach Boomers will be the club’s first-ever men’s surf boat crew to sport the Silver Fern when they compete in Australia this weekend.

The crew of Jed Wright, Chris Carew, Shamus O’ Halloran, Hayden Smith and sweep Craig Dillon will be one of four Kiwi crews to represent New Zealand at the Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Challenge.

Regular sweep Shane ‘Bugsy’ O’Halloran has had to withdraw because of a medical condition but will travel to Australia to watch the crew compete.

The event is part of the ASRL Open at Elouera Beach, New South Wales on Saturday 17 February. 

The Challenge itself consists of a three-race series for the men’s crews and the same for the women’s with combined points accumulating to a champion nation that will be presented with the Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Challenge Trophy.

All four New Zealand representative crews will be known as the Oar Blacks and will depart for Australia on Wednesday 14 February.

“The Boomers have been very fortunate in obtaining the use of a Clymer boat and oars from the Torquay Surf Club,” said Shane O’Halloran.  “The crew will have three days in which to train on the water and become accustomed to the boat,” he added.

“Red Beach has a sister-club relationship with Collaroy who have been very forthcoming with tents, chairs, chilly bins and some great organising. We are very grateful.”

The Boomers will compete in the Open Men’s division and will go head to head with a crew from South Curl Curl who will be representing Australia.

To read the SLSNZ article on the Trans-Tasman Surf Boat Challenge, click here