Crews left Batemans Bay in staggered starts from 9am on Sunday on the first leg of their seven-day row to Eden.

They completed the first 31 kilometres of the 190km journey and boats and skis arrived at Moruya Beach between noon and 1pm, organiser Andrew Edmunds said.

“In the Masters Women, Pambula kicked off their title defence well, taking out the first leg, as did three time reigning champions in the Open Men, Bulli,” Edmunds said.

“North Cronulla dominated the Open Women, while Wanda took out the Masters Men and John Patinson took out the ski race.”

The race is held every two years and competitors were glad the rough conditions of 2015, which forced the event into lakes and rivers, were not repeated.

“Conditions at sea were fantastic for racing,” Mr Edmunds said.

“The Bass has attracted crews from all over Australia with competitors from Darwin, Noosa, Torquay and Grange in South Australia lining up against some of the strongest crews on the Far South Coast and NSW.

“Mollymook from the South Coast entered their first ever marathon.

“Day 2 of the Pharmacy 777 George Bass and Dial Before you Dig Ski marathon gets underway from 9am at Moruya beach. A memorial will be held for the late Lesley Pheeney at 8:45am.”

RESULTS

DAY 1

Batemans Bay to Moruya 31km.

Masters Women

First - Pambula

Second – Broulee

Third – Darwin

Fourth – Torquay

Fifth – Avalon Beach

Open Women

First – North Cronulla

Second – Broulee

Third – Broulee/Canberra Capitals

Fourth – Moruya

Open Men

First – Bulli

Second – Coogee

Third – Long Reef

Fourth – Mollymook

Fifth – Pambula

Masters Men

First – Wanda

Second – North Cronulla

Third – Tathra

Fourth – Narooma

Fifth – Wolongong City

Sixth – Pambula

Seventh – Builli

Eighth – Noosa

Ninth – Broulee Captials

10th – Grange

 11th – Warriewood

Skis

First – John Pattinson

Second – Paul Buttle

Third – Nick Kirby

Fourth – Simon Steinhouse

Fifth – Warrick Ward

Sixth – Stephen Bunney

Seventh – Gavin Granger

Eighth – Craig Vipond

Ninth – Dave Schofield

10th – Nathan Vipond

11th – Jacqui Keoughs

Double Skis

1st Nick Ziviani and Joe Hasley

2nd Brendan Cowled and Tony Island.