The Navy George Bass Surf Boat Marathon has kicked off with a flying start in Batemans Bay on Sunday morning. More than 1500 people crowded jetties, the bridge and shoreline to watch the 15th George Bass Marathon kick off. This year’s marathon is set to make history, with men and women crews competing in every single leg of the 180km event. Female competitors from North Steyne, Woolamai, Moruya, Canberra, Broulee, Woolamai/Bilgola, Bermagui took to the water in the first leg from Batemans Bay to Moruya. There was some very close racing in the open men’s division with crews from Tathra, Narooma, Pambula, Canberra, Bulli, Burnie (Tasmania), Port Kembla, Broulee, North Steyne, Batemans Bay and Moruya battling it out.