The 2019 George Bass Surfboat Marathon is set to have record equalling entries.
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Race director Andrew Holt said there will be a maximum-capacity field of 36 surfboat crews and 20 individual surf ski entries to make for the biggest George Bass since the previous record set in 1990.
"It's a 29-year high since the 1990 record and it's going to be one of the biggest Basses ever run," Mr Holt said.
With support and surf boats on the water as well, Mr Holt said there is likely to be 100 boats or more on the water for each of the race legs.
Hailed as the world's toughest and longest surfboat race in the world covering 190km of pristine coastline over seven days, the George Bass nearly crumbled in 2014, but Mr Holt praised the hard work of the new committee for revitalising the race.
"The committee have been doing such a great job, they've been advertising it and pushing it everywhere and the entries reflect that commitment," he said.
Mr Holt particularly praised the efforts of Sue Hunt, who had shared event details at Australian and State level Beach carnivals across the country, building plenty of interest.
Now, every state and territory in Australia except Tasmania will be represented and a women's crew from New Zealand will also be trekking over.
"Most of the crews taking part have some history with the event," Mr Holt said. "It's absolutely awesome."
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Crews consist of eight rowers each with 288 surf lifesavers starting preparations more than nine months ago.
"We put out an expression of interest at the start of the year and had more than 30 signups then, so we knew it was going to be big," Mr Holt said.
A 24-year veteran of the event himself, Mr Holt said he was excited to sweep again for the Pambula Veteran Men's Crew and see the return of long-standing rivalries.
"There is always the local rivalries, ourselves and Tathra, Moruya and Broulee and the Shire teams in Cronulla and Wanda, it should be good."
Mr Holt said the veteran women's division was also looking to be a highlight this year with defending champions Pambula facing some fierce opposition from Tathra, while a Canberra crew were also making the trip to knock the title holders off.
Organisation is almost complete with the final licensing signoff expected early next week.
"You need a heap of approvals - about 20 - to get it on the water, but everything is coming together and I think the stars will align next week for us," Mr Holt said.
The community is invited to join in with Beach launches and landings each day between the December 29 start and January 4 finish.
"We encourage the community to get down and watch, it's going to be huge." with launches each day from about 8am.