Avalon Beach residents, surf club members and supporters came together for another 24-hour rowing effort, continuing a mental fitness initiative that began within the local surf lifesaving community and now supports programs both at the club and in local schools.
The 2026 Gotcha4Life 24 Hour Row ran from 12pm on Saturday, 12 September to 12pm on Sunday, 13 September, with participants taking turns to keep rowing machines moving throughout the full 24 hours.
At Avalon Beach SLSC, rowers were backed by volunteers and supporters as the club again took part in an event that has its roots in the local community.
Avalon Beach Community Keeps The Ergs Moving
Mel and Nathan Wellings, who helped establish the initiative through Avalon Beach SLSC and its surf boat community, were involved again during this year’s row.
Sharni Smale and Mel Smale were also at the Avalon Beach event as part of the F45 Training Avalon crew.
The Avalon Beach SLSC fundraising team included Prue Barwick, Charlotte Broderick, James and Kate Houston, Molly Baczkowski and Marnix Poot among those listed on the club’s campaign page.
Together, the local team had raised $4,825 towards a $10,000 target.
Avalon Beach SLSC also recognised the contribution of the rowers, volunteers and supporters who helped sustain the effort over the weekend, with participants rotating on the rowing machines rather than leaving the equipment idle during the 24-hour challenge.
Local Fundraising Returns To Community Programs
The fundraising has a direct connection to Avalon beyond the event itself.
Money from the row is intended to support mental fitness programs in local schools as well as workshops held at Avalon Beach SLSC.
The programs focus on building mental fitness, strengthening social connections and helping people develop the skills to seek support and respond to life’s pressures.
The event also encourages participants to approach mental fitness as an ongoing practice, including checking in with others, maintaining connections and recognising progress.
Students from local schools were among those involved in the broader 2026 event, extending participation beyond surf lifesaving clubs and adult rowing teams.
An Avalon Initiative Reaches Across Australia
The 24 Hour Row began as a response within the Avalon Beach surf lifesaving community after losses affected the local area.
It has since expanded well beyond the original club, with this year’s national event involving 981 participants across 108 teams.
The campaign had raised $443,476.14 towards an $800,000 national target, while the previous year’s event raised close to $600,000 and helped provide mental fitness workshops to about 12,000 people.
Participation also extended across the northern beaches, with Bilgola and North Narrabeen surf lifesaving members combining for a separate rowing effort at Pittwater RSL.
For Avalon Beach, however, the 24-hour event remains closely tied to the community where it began, with local rowers, volunteers and supporters continuing to take part while fundraising for mental fitness programs intended to reach local schools and the surf club itself.
Published 17-September-2026
