The Pambula Open Men’s crew were happy with the day, although said they have done better in rough conditions. 

“We somehow did better in the worse conditions, the Narooma to Bermagui leg we were coming third,” Chris “The Diddler” Dickinson said.

The crew are having a blast even though they have not gained the results they were hoping, he said.

“We have been trying to catch the Mollymook team all week, now we have just been trying to race down the Vet’s, I think we are placing third and fifth with the Masters,” Dickson said.

“We can definitely own the title of the fastest Pambula boat,” fellow crew member Dean Gartside side.

A standout in the crew has been the effort of two female crew members Emma Prowse and Karri Ryan, who have stepped up to help the men’s team out.

“I have really liked it, there is a lot more banter rowing with the boys, its good fun,” Ryan said.

Prowse and Ryan had previously rowed for Wollongong City.

Prowse has a strong bond with the Men’s crew after rowing with them throughout the year in training for the George Bass and recruited Ryan only five weeks out of the competition. 

“I met the crew on the first day of the Bass and had never trained with them before, i’m really enjoying it though,” said Ryan.

After several days of physical endurance the crew are excited for the last leg of the race, and cracking open drinks with the teams to celebrate.

“We are going to play Kangaroo court when it’s all over, we have seven days of charges laid for anyone who stuffed up,” Gartside said.

“There is the punishment of finishing a drink if you are found guilty.”

It is Dean’s first George Bass, and he is looking forward to unleashing his accusation to punish their sweep Keiran “Pygmy” Harris.

“I think it was the third day and Pygmy missed the finish line – probably the biggest stuff up so far,” he said.

Double ski paddlers Nick Ziviani and Joe Hasley were the first to cross the finish line in 2:16:10. The first ski paddler Paul Buttel arrived with a time of 2:18:35.

Pambula Women Master’s remain undefeated and celebrated at the finish line, followed by Torquay. The Darwin crew had an excellent row to third position, surprising many with their performance, beating Broulee.

In the Open Women’s Moruya rowed exceptionally well finishing before the competitive North Cronulla team.

Narooma Men Master’s jumped up the ranks to place second behind Wanda. 

Bulli Open Men have been hard to beat, securing the top position in the competition. Coogee finished in front of Long Reef followed by Mollymook then Pambula.

Catch the exhilarating final leg of the George Bass at Pambula Main Beach on January 6.

Boats will be lining up ready to race to Eden from 8.30am onward, and are due to arrive at Aslings beach after 11am.