Avoca’s Brierty family have always been typical ‘clubbies’, involved in surf club competition and social activities. 

But this year they have taken their devotion to a new level.

Richard, after sweeping the Avoca Beach surf boat crew that last weekend won selection as the only NSW boat in the Interstate titles in Adelaide next month, hopes to drive his rowers to victory in the final round of the country’s toughest boat series, the Davidoff Cool Water Ocean Thunder Pro Surf Boat Series at Dee Why on Saturday.

Not that he’ll rush to crack open a can of beer if successful, and the SKILLED Avoca Beach crew only have to make the final to win the crown so big is their lead on the points table after two firsts and a second among 24 of Australia’s best crews in the first three rounds.

No, the local plumber has a split personality on the water – he is also sweep of the Avoca women’s crew that has wife Sharon and daughter Jess rowing in it.

The girls are placed fifth in the Ocean Thunder series and victory is probably just out of reach. But considering Jess is in her first year of rowing and their leading crewmate will be on the beach working as a photographer, they can be extremely proud of their achievement.

Having said that, those who know the Brierty family and their fellow crew members have learned not to rule out anything.

Less than six years ago none of them had ever sat in a surf boat. Richard had a surf ski background, Sharon was an Ironwoman competitor and Jess also was more comfortable swimming or on a board.

Richard went on a rugby trip which included rowing down the Murrumbidgee River where he had a turn at sweeping. About the same time Sharon’s sister Kristy wanted to put together a women’s crew and needed some help.

Richard was worried about the dangers of an inexperienced crew being tossed upside down in the surf so told Sharon she could only compete if he was the sweep – not that he knew a thing about it, other than his natural surf sense from years on a ski.

To double his exposure he thought why not get a men’s crew together too.

So he headed down to the Avoca pub, conned some rugby mates into giving it a go and came up with a bunch soon called the ‘50-50s’ because two came from Terrigal rugby club and two from arch-rivals Avoca.

Richard remembers them being “hopeless” in their first race in a surf boat, at Coffs Harbour.

“I couldn’t sweep and they couldn’t row,” Brierty said.

They came last. “They went out hard and after 100 metres ran out of breath … they all blew up big time,” he laughed.

But rugby mates from the pub learn quickly. Within four years they won the Australian title – in a borrowed boat.

The women’s team had used Avoca’s only boat in their semi-final at Kurrawa Beach, Queensland, and were nailed by a big wave, with the bottom virtually ripping open and the boat sinking to the sand.

As they girls appeared on the beach decidedly shaken, they had to confess that the boat the boys were about to use in the final was no longer seaworthy.

The men raced up the beach looking for a loan-craft, Pacific Palms came good and they went out minutes later and wiped their opposition.

The crew then included Brad Cox, Dan Mitchell, Beau Meredith and George Ruzak but Meredith and Ruzak have since moved away, replaced by Ben Shine and Mitch Hurst.

The next year they finished second in the world titles and in 2007, their Ocean Thunder form suggests, nothing seems beyond them in coming months.

The women’s record isn’t bad either. After coming together as virtually a bunch of mums wanting to get fit, they’d finished second at the nationals two years later, repeated the effort in 2004 before last year finishing first.

This year they’ve lost members of the national-winning team in Leslie Parker who is pregnant and Mel McPherson who is an Ocean Thunder photographer.

But it led the way for Jess Brierty, 20, to join 42-year-olds mum and dad, and stroke Kylie Eathon to return after two years absence – joining second stroke Julia Mitchell.

“We thought we’d be lucky not to come last so it’s been pretty amazing we’re up there. Jess has taken to it so well, we’ll be better next year,” said Sharon.

But the SKILLED Avoca Beach men are definitely in the ‘box seat’, seven points clear of e-Go Pacific Palms and Starrett Austinmer.

If the Avoca boys win the Ocean Thunder series, they’ll retire for a quiet moment to thank their original mentor, Ross Ibbett, who died last year – just before the crew advanced to the Ocean Thunder series.

“He taught me a lot about sweeping and was a big part of our early success, it’s a pity he’s not here to see the Ocean Thunder format” said Brierty.

“Ocean Thunder has proved massive for our sport, in the water and socially. To get four tough events before all the major meets has been invaluable, and the chance to get to know the best crews in the country has been awesome.

“It has shown us all what level we have to get to and made the sport a lot more professional.

“The fact it costs $25,000 to enter means we couldn’t compete without our sponsors.

“Being out of the city can be hard to get the backing, so we’re very thankful that SKILLED have supported us – hopefully we can reward them with the title.”

There will be little rest, win or lose on Saturday. Being chosen to contest the Interstate titles next month means the few weeks break has had to be cancelled, and Shine will have to cut short a planned holiday in Japan. But hey, they have a big reputation to uphold.

Before we end this extraordinary story, let’s cut to the chase with this competitive Brierty family.

Richard is obviously the back-breaking task master in the boat but do the women of the house get square at home?

“Let’s just say Rich has to be God on the boat, what he says goes. At home? Well he’s still the boss,” says Sharon.

“We don’t discuss competing much at home though. It’s so intense on the water, we need a break.”

POINTS after Round Three:

MEN –

Skilled Avoca Beach (NSW) 74

e-Go Pacific Palms (NSW) 67

Starrett Austinmer (NSW) 67

Stockland Currumbin (QLD) 65

Multiplex / Pure Blonde Nth Cottesloe (WA) 55

Flying Herons Red Beach (NZ) 50.5

Surf Club Mooloolaba (QLD) 47

Oz Wide Loans Manly (NSW) 45

Raine & Horne Balgowlah Sth Curl Curl (NSW) 42

Ken's Plumbing Bundaberg (QLD) 41

Big Fish Group Whale Beach (NSW) 40

Pelican Waters Northcliffe (QLD) 39

Acrylite Coatings Kurrawa (QLD) 39

Reilly & Son Food Service Bungan Beach (NSW) 38

Lowrance Rainbow Bay L (QLD) 38

The Orical Rainbow Bay O (QLD) 36

PKF Elouera (NSW) 33

National Building Group Woolamai (VIC) 28

Universal Resort Living & Banana Boat Bronte W (NSW) 24

Slattery Half Moon Bay (VIC) 21.5

Bluearth Fairhaven (VIC) 19.5

Skilled Avalon Beach (NSW) 19

Red Steer Hotel Motel (NSW) 19

Hogs Breath Rainbow Bay H (QLD) 16.5

Universal Resort Living & Banana Boat Bronte P (NSW) 11

POINTS after Round Three:

WOMEN –

Manly Aluminium Windows Sth Curl Curl                 36
Reach Physiotherapy Jan Juc                           34                   
The Surf Club Mooloolaba                              33
Manly Warringah Credit Union Queenscliff              31
SKILLED Avoca Beach                                   29
Red Steer Hotel Motel                                 22
Bluearth Fairhaven                                    21
Reilly and Sons Food Services Bungan Beach            20
DMC Kurrawa                                           16
Ray White Queensland Northcliffe                      10.5
e-GO Karekare                                          9
Dial Before-You-Dig Bondi Beach                        6
Acacia Embroidery Avalon Beach                         5.5

For more information on this story or the 2006 Davidoff Cool Water Ocean Thunder Pro-Surf Boat Series please contact

Ian Hanson
Managing Director, Hanson Sports Media
0407 385 160

David Lyall
Managing Manager, Hanson Sports Media
0403 777 026