It's the first time in 40 years that organisers of the world's longest and toughest surfboat marathon have been forced to take such action.

Surf boat rowers and ski paddlers found it much easier using the southerly to navigate their way back to shore at Corrigans Beach, just south of Batemans Bay.

Moruya Vikings won the first leg in the open men's division ahead of Bulli, Moruya DBYD, Wollongong City (Ken) and Wollongong City (Rod).

"It was a really tough day at sea but once we got to swing it to come back it was much easier," Moruya Vikings sweep Gavin Hunt said.

The Narooma crew took out the first leg of the men's veteran race ahead of Bulli, Queenscliff, Tathra, Northcliffe, Bermagui Mix and Pambula.

Mourya Met Caloundra won the first leg of the open women's ahead of Torquay and Broulee Capitals.

Avalon were victorious in the women's veterans ahead of Tathra and Anglesea.

Narooma's Nick Ziviani finished fifth in the first leg of the ski paddle while Moruya's Norm Lenehan came 11th.  

Moruya's Shaun Ryan had a DNF but will continue tomorrow. 

9.10AM UPDATE: The George Bass Marathon has got away without a hitch from Batemans Bay Sunday morning but competitors may be forced to turn back due to rough conditions.

It was a picture perfect start for the world's longest and toughest surfboat marathon but organisers warned it was a very different situation out to sea.

Putting safety first, they said it was likely the competitors would be forced to turn around and complete the first leg of the seven-day race at Corrigans Beach rather than the usual finishing point of Moruya Beach.

With four-metre swells and a strong southerly, it will be a tough start to the endurance race. Women's veterans crew Broulee BATS elected to use day one as its lay day.