The club expects to field two new women's crews this year, an open and youth (under 23).

They'll join the club's established masters crew, the Cape Hawke Pearls.

"We've been rowing together for about 12 years,'' Pearls member Anne Curtis said.

"We've been quite successful - we've won National and State championships.

"We row in the North Coast Boat Series and that takes us to carnivals up as far as the (Queensland) border.

"We also go to the State championships and we've been to the Aussies.''

Age hasn't necessarily wearied the Pearls. However, they have an eye to the future and Anne said they wanted to ensure women's rowing remained an integral part of the club's future.

"It's time to pass on the baton,'' she said.

The club conducted two come and try days in Wallis Lake during October and this proved to be positive. Crews will soon start training with a view of competing at carnivals when the season finally gets into full swing.

The Pearls were, in the main, in their 50s when they first decided to take on rowing.

"The boaties community is just so supportive,'' Anne said.

"We'd go to carnivals when we first started rowing and other crews were so encouraging. They tell us how well we were going - and we weren't - it's such a great lifestyle.

"And as we improved, other crews kept encouraging us.

"Now it's our time to bring younger women into our sport and encourage them.''

Anne said rowing has plenty of positives.

Obviously it's a great way to get and stay fit. However, it also teaches life skills and develops camaraderie. And that's pretty important when a crews smashing their way through mountainous swells.

"Rowing isn't just about brawn,'' she said.

"Rowing encourages team-work and technique.

"Once you get involved in rowing it gets in your blood.''

Dave Rankin has been the Pearls' sweep since day one and Anne describes his as their 'mentor.'

Mick Yarad takes the crew out for the sessions on the lake and Ben Stevenson, who was a successful sweep with Old Bar's women's boat crew for many seasons, is also involved, having recently joined Cape Hawke.

The Pearls usually have two training rows on the lake a week and one in the surf.

Crew member helped raise money for the club's new boat, with the club also contributing to the cost.

They also maintain the boat and that's another way to learn new skills, Anne said.

Rowing, as like surf clubs, was once male-dominated. However, the Pearls have led the way at Cape Hawke now for a number of summers.

"We used to have a men's crew, but they haven't rowed for a few seasons now,'' Anne said.

Anyone who wants to get involved should contact the surf club. The Pearls will be more than happy to help out.

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