Another successful Iluka to Grafton Rowathon was held on Saturday, July 7, 2001. The course is 65km, with regular stops available for crew changes, if desired, and a compulsory lunch stop at Maclean.
 

Crews prepare to hit the water at Iluka

A total of 83 competitors in 16 boats competed in the event. Competitors from as far south as Hunter Valley Grammar School and from Tweed Heads in the north participated. This is the biggest entry in this event's 5 year history.
 

Crews preparing to set off from Iluka Bay

The weather was a bit cool and breezy at the start, but everyone set off in good cheer - this is a fun event, not a race.
 

At the first stop at Harwood Sailing Club, 12 km into the event, the South Grafton veteran men pulled in and took their blades out, sparking fears that their goal of rowing the entire course had come to an early end. They were still determined, however, but needed to empty some water out of their boat from a mishap with some waves.

Several crews set out to complete the whole course, including the South Grafton veteran men, a young mixed double from Grafton and Chris Hellyer of Maclean in a single.
 

Chris Hellyer passes Harwood on his way to completing the whole 65km in a scull.

Even as early as Harwood, the quads were already showing their advantage over the small boats. The quads were sent off last, with the slower sculls and doubles leading off first.
  

A South Grafton quad shared between a high school girls' crew and their mothers pull in to change over at Harwood.

Go to 2001 Rowathon Page 2