The Fingal Bay Surf Life Saving Club's masters and apprentices will head to Kurrawa Beach on the Gold Coast next week for the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, March 16-21.

Club veteran Eddie Bergsma will sweep for both crews and says the over 180-year masters have held their own in lead-up carnivals, held as part of the Newcastle and Hunter Surf Boat series.

"That series does not have divisions, so we have been racing against crews a lot younger than us," he said.

The Masters crew of Michael Monin, Richard Gamble, Brett Allman and Scott Wright has beaten some of the State's best crews belonging to younger age divisions and is eager to pit itself against other over 180 crews at the national meet.

"We've beaten some of the best masters crews from places like Avoca and Caves Beach, I think we are a very good chance in the 180s up there.

"This is the best masters crew I've ever had and I've been sweeping since 1990."

The under 23 crew of James Moss, Steve Lea, Ryan Mudd and Brad McMillan has only been in training together since September last year.

But Bergsma said tri-weekly training sessions have rushed the boys into competition form.

"They are a very dedicated group of boys and I have had them training three or four days a week, with both crews down on Fingal Beach on a Saturday morning," he said.

While their determination will be up to national standard, their craft appears to be far from it.

Bergsma is heading up a push to find community and corporate support for a new boat in time for a busy 2010-11 summer., and should be contacted through the club by those who wish to help.