Eighteen-year veteran of the George Bass Marathon Scott Meaker says the iconic surf event becomes part of your life.
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“I suppose it does become your life and your rowers are your best mates,” Meaker said.
“I think part of the reason we keep doing it is you want to turn up for those guys and being there.”
Unfortunately, Meaker will miss this year’s event with an injured foot, but has been training as a reserve sweep and will look to join the hall-of-fame 10-plus marathoners in 2020. Club mate Buff Britten is heading to his 14th Bass, while John Sheedy is joining the hall of fame this summer with his 10th event.
Finishing the Bass is a huge accomplishment in its own right, but the veteran crews get competitive and Tathra is gunning for a win this year.
“The guys have trained harder than ever before and there is a good mix of the veteran heads and young guys,” Meaker said.
Rowing, Meaker says, isn’t quite like riding a bike and you can forget the nuances of it if you take too long a break – especially when you’re talking some of the most extreme distance rowing in the world.
So the teams practice weekly, even through the winter and even during off years from the biennial event. In the four-month lead up teams have been training daily.
“We do take a good long break from the boat after the Bass – you’re almost sick of the sight of it by then,” Meaker said with a laugh.
“But it almost becomes part of your life, you’re just maintaining your rowing and your fitness,” finishing with a laugh “we’re not getting any younger”.
Meaker’s advice to new starters is simple: “Row every stint like it’s your last.”
“New guys doing the Bass don’t realise but they’re saving themselves a bit, while we’re giving it all everyday and you’ve got to trust and rely that your training has been good enough to recover well [for the next leg].”
Much of it boils down to preparation and mental fortitude.
The science of sports is developing and the Bass is the same, Meaker said he didn’t want to be the “back in my day” guy, but said he had seen a lot of change since his first marathon at just 18.
Weigh-ins, meal plans and programs ensure all rowers are back to weight at the end of each day.
Then when you cross the final marker and pluck the boat from the water in Eden a flurry of emotions wash over rowers and the pain of the blisters and fatigue just fade away.
“It’s a bit of everything when you finish, exhilaration, excitment, relief, and depending where you’ve come there can be a little disappointment,” Meaker said.
After finishing is a time of quiet and reflection for the Tathra outfit.
“We find a bit of shade and have a few beers; these are guys you’ve spent many hours training and everyone giving their all – it’s a big thing.”