"The surf has been flat for just about every competition we've been in this season,'' sweep Ben Stevenson said.

"We just don't have the boat speed to match it with other crews in flat conditions, but if there's a bit of wave then we should go well. The conditions at Kurrawa should suit us.''

Stevenson maintains that with suitable conditions and a bit of luck, the crew can progress to at least the quarter finals.

Old Bar's results have only been moderate this season. However, Stevenson points out they've been up against some of the most powerful women's crews in the nation.

"We've had a few heat placings in the North Coast series while we made the final at Wauchope-Bonny Hills and that was our best effort,'' Stevenson said.

"But I'm pretty confident we can get through the early heats at Kurrawa and then we'll see how we go from there.''

The crew is Laura McRae, Sarah Young, Jane Lynch and Corinne Stevenson. Bianca Ricketts is the reserve.

"Because of work commitments Bianca finds it a bit hard to train and get to all the carnivals,'' Stevenson explained.

Jorja Muscio was also in the squad earlier in the season, but has since moved interstate.

Women's surf boat rowing is a burgeoning sport in other branches throughout the State.

However, Old Bar is the only Lower North Coast Branch crew competing. In fact, boat rowing generally is in a bit of a lull in this area, as Stevenson acknowledges.

"Forster and Cape Hawke have masters crews and an under 18 crew has been training at Crowdy, but that's about it,'' Stevenson said.

"It's a bit disappointing really.''

He concedes it's a tough and potentially brutal endeavour.

His crew trains up to four times a week.

"Getting in the surf is the number one priority. We meet at Old Bar at 5.30 but at the moment it's a bit dark to be going out in the surf, so we usually put in at Bohnock,'' he said.