On a beach inspection early Saturday organisers considered moving the Coffs Harbour Interstate Carnival to safer confines closer to the Marina’s Northern Breakwall.
Park Beach was lashed with two metres waves, and a constant flow of white wash.
After deliberations the event went ahead as planned, with the juniors ranks braving the worst of conditions.
Right throughout the morning it was a case of white wash and wipeouts.
Almost every race saw one or two crews roll over.
In the Masters event, Woolgoolga had three competitors injured by the dumping break.
Despite conditions, the Ocean Thunder crews proved there is quite clearly the best and then the rest, powering through the heats on route to Sunday’s finals.
What a difference a day can make.
The open mens and women’s final were simply flat water rowing races.
Kurrawa took the men’s title, while Mooloolaba prevailed in the open women’s.
The Coffs Harbour carnival is the first major event to open the season.
It allows crews to gauge their form against some of the nation’s best well ahead of the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships in Perth in March.
COFFS HARBOUR SURF CRAFT CARNIVAL RESULTS
Open Mens 1. Kurrawa 2. Dixon Park 3. Dee Why
Open Women’s 1. Moolooloaba 2. MacMasters Beach 3. Metropolitan Caloundra
U23 Mens 1. MacMasters Beach 2. Ocean Beach 3. Kurrawa
U23 Women’s 1. Palm Beach 2. Bilgola 3. Kurrawa
U19s 1. Noosa 2. Stockton 3. Kurrawa
Reserves 1. Collaroy 2. Met Caloundra Blue 3. Bilgola
Masters 1. Cudgen Headland 2. Coffs Harbour 3. Mooloolaba Elite
