Thousands of Australians Joined Lifesaving 24-Hour Row Event

In a year where the focus on mental fitness was more important than ever, event organisers were excited to see the enthusiasm from so many clubs that participated and helped fundraise for Gotcha4Life. Collectively they have raised an incredible $155,350 enabling Gotcha4Life to deliver programs for more than 3,883 Australians.

After the success of the Avalon Beach 24 Hour Row over the past three years, the event expanded in 2021 despite the pandemic and extended lockdowns. 35 locations from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australian Surf Life Saving Clubs and gyms took part in the event last October.

Rowing machines were set up at each location and participants took turns rowing for up to one hour each, keeping the machines going for the full 24 hour period. Some of Australia’s top athletes including Olympic rower Georgie Rowe took part alongside well-known figures such as Paul Gallen and Hugh Jackman, and participants who had never been on a rowing machine in their lives.

Together they worked through the mental and physical challenge of rowing and raised funds for Gotcha4Life which help us deliver mental fitness programs that engage, educate and empower Australians to end suicide.

The event is the brainchild of one of the country’s top surf boat coaches Nathan Wellings from Avalon Beach SLSC and his wife Mel who rallied their community in 2018 after a tragic spate of youth suicides in the Northern Beaches area.

 

“After such a tough year we were so happy that the 24 Hour Row was able to go ahead and can’t believe how many additional clubs participated this year,” said 24 Hour Row founder Mel Wellings.

“Mental fitness and the awareness of how to help friends and family is so important and we’re glad that our little event is now able to help save lives nationwide,” she said.

“Our local community was struggling to come to terms with the loss of a number of our young people in 2018 and our team of surf boat rowers wanted to do something positive to help. We set up a couple of rowing machines at the club and rostered everyone to row for an hour each, over 24 hours.

“It was such a great event, with great support from all the community, not just our club members. We even had the local MP Rob Stokes jump on a machine and row for an hour with us. He didn’t do too bad a time either,” said Mel Wellings.

In 2021, the event expanded again to include five Western Australian clubs for the first time. “There was some healthy rivalry between clubs and states this year in both the fundraising side and the total distances that each rowed in the 24-hour period,” said Mel.

All locations were connected via Zoom and a livestream was broadcast on the 24 Hour Row Facebook page for everyone to watch and support.

Surf Life Saving NSW continues its support of the expanded event assisting with promoting the event through their alliance with Gotcha4Life.