Frequently Asked Questions

The main surfboat event will be the 100Km race on Thursday 23 April, 2015. However, there is already planned for some short course races and demonstrations in the Dardanelles on 22 April, and we expect other activities to be added as well involving the surf boats.

The Gallipoli 100 Organisation is a Pty Ltd company (ACN 135 170 857) established by a group of passionate surfers who also share an interest in military history and have experience in managing surfing events and overseas tours.

The initial team is made up of Paul Murphy's company, Military History Tours, all information on it is at the website at www.militaryhistorytours.com.au. Representing the G100, Paul visited Turkey in February 2009, and found nothing but enthusiasm for the G100 concept. The other side of our team is Dr Paul Cooper, boat captain at Tamarama SLSC in Sydney who together with Mark Walton, ex Duntroon Graduate and recently retired from full time army service, and also a Tamarama boatie, came up with the G100 concept.  As a team, we have combined active surf club members with Australia’s leading Military History tour company.

Gallipoli 100 is supported by Surf Life Saving Australia. CLICK HERE for more details.

Paul Cooper, Paul Murphy and Mark Walton. CLICK HERE for details and biographies.

Surf Clubs wishing to be involved must complete an Official G100 Entry Form and return it with their deposit (the first instalment). We anticipate being able to secure an event sponsor which will significantly reduce participation costs which will be reflected in the final entry fee. At this point in time there are possible restrictions on the number of boats which can participate, so entries will be confirmed on a first come basis. The final list of G100 events is yet to be confirmed but at present it includes: Historical Tours, both of antiquity and military significant locations; participation in cultural celebrations; 100 km boat race; a commemorative ANZAC Day Service and a Gala Ball at the conclusion of the event. All G100 Tourists will receive a specially struck commemorative selection from the G100 Committee.

Explained on the website (CLICK HERE for details). Registration must be by hard copy of form available on this website. Fill out, post form to PO Box 535, Surry Hills NSW Australia 2010, and attach cheque or provide credit card details for initial deposit of $(AU)650 plus GST (where applicable).

Crew members are not included in the cost of registering a boat. It is recognised that crew registrations will need to be flexible, final confirmations will occur closer to the event. However, the G100 will need to finalise the number of crew members and guests per club by March 2012. Individual names can be finalized some time later.

As we count down to 2015, probably only 100 boats will be selected. Selection will be based on a ‘first come’ principle. Clubs may combine to meet race demands for crew numbers.

Clubs may choose to secure more than one position in the initial round of offers if they so desire. In the unlikely event all spaces are not secured by the cut-off date, The Gallipoli 100 Committee reserve the right to offer position(s) to schools, in either New Zealand or Australia, which offer rowing as a school sport.

A waiting list, comprising interested clubs who are yet to pay a deposit, will be created and published on The Gallipoli 100 website once the first 100 deposits are received.

The fee includes shipping surf boats to Europe in a container from your nearest State capital city or Auckland, NZ. Customs clearances, initial storage and truck transport to/from Kilye Bay near Eceabat on the Dardanelles is also included. 24 hour security is also proposed. Return freight of boats to Australia or New Zealand is not included at this time, as it is planned that a significant number of the boats will be sold to clubs in Europe.. Payments for crew members and family and friends are made to the tour company Military History Tours Australia. Initially deposits only are required.

It is possible boats will go via Rotterdam which will add Rotterdam to Istanbul freight charges, this will depend on the cheapest way for us to get the containers to that side of the world. We are being briefed by a large international cargo company so we know that we will receive the best price. Once in Turkey, we have been advised by Government representatives, charges for storage in a customs yard for up to 20 days might be incurred; charges for customs inspections and clearance; charges for certificate of guarantee that boats will not be left in Turkey (unless sold locally); freight charges from Istanbul to Kylie Bay approx 350 kms; charges for unloading each container; charges for onsite security; charges for return freight to Istanbul. The Government representatives have even included possible charges to ensure that there is no radioactivity! Our best advice for establishing a cost estimate for plus 6 years has been to secure a quote in today's terms and add a 30% balloon to cover increase costing for 2015. Obviously we are mindful of presenting real costs now rather than building hope. When a sponsor comes aboard we are fully cognisant that this quote could diminish but to avoid disappointment now, we have provided a true indication. Since April this year (2009) our initial cost of $(AU)10,000 has reduced to $(AU)1,950.00 plus GST (if applicable).

All funds from Surf Clubs are guaranteed by the G100 organisation as refundable until specific payments are required by our suppliers. This will be advised to all clubs who have registered when it becomes necessary to start spending. Any funds we need prior to this advice to clubs will come from our own resources or from sponsors who we are in discussions with at present.

We believe that over the next 6 years there will be opportunities for clubs to also obtain sponsorship.

If the event does not go ahead for reasons beyond our control, such as terrorism, war, and the like, the funds refundable will be dependent on if the cancellation is before the G100 organisation has advised that the funds are refundable or not. However, the G100 will taking out cancellation insurance.

The running of all races, including the G100, 100 Km event will be run in a number of sections.

Initially, as our web site shows, the event is a boat race in 2 stages. However, there will be two (2) additional check points where crews can change. The first half, running down the Dardanelles with a constant flowing current of 3-7 knots behind the boats makes stage 1 comfortable. Stage 2, is up the ANZAC Coast to Gaba Tepe as shown on the web. Since Paul Murphy's recent visit to Turkey in February 2009 and again in June 2009, the original concept has grown and is still growing. We believe there will be several days of events and demonstrations which will probably commence in the Bosporus, Istanbul.

Confirmatory course details will be provided when final payment is received. The race distance is approximately 100 km with an assisting ebb flow of approximately 3-7 kn, for the first half of the race down the Dardenelles. The halfway point will be at Helles and possible multi-change beaches up the western coast are yet to be confirmed but will depend on crew composition. Crew protocols will be detailed in the same correspondence as above. Current thought has it commencing near Canakkale and concluding at Gaba Tepe. Date for this event is 23^rd April 2015. A number of race divisions will be created once entries are received and reflect differences between one crew teams to 2 or more crew teams. Awards will be given to first places in each division as well as for the team which displays the highest level of sportsmanship. Contingency plans will be in place should crews not be able to complete the full course as it will be essential all crews reach the finish line to allow a celebratory BBQ to commence.

For friends and family, there is a registration form on the web which allows them to join the full tour. All family, friends and crews will be accommodated together.

It is difficult to place a final price on the tour. Variables include the value of our dollar to the Euro, the increase in the cost of fuel, and the likely increase in costs from now to 2015, predicted at 30%. It is our aim to sell the tour with accommodation, most meals, touring in air conditioned coaches as per the itinerary with historians at all key sites on the Gallipoli Peninsula, arrival and departure transfers, and the special events at the race completion and on the final night in Istanbul. At present, we can only predict the final cost at between $5,000 and $6,000 per person for the 10 day programme. As regards air fares, there is almost no way of predicting these. What we do predict, is that from Australia, demand for the limited capacity to Istanbul will be high, and with our early planning, we aim to secure seats for our guests as soon as we can.

Over the years since 1990, when the 75^th Anniversary was held, numbers have continued to increase. Since 2000, the ceremony was moved from ANZAC Cove to North Beach, just to the North of ANZAC Cove. The only disappointing aspect of ceremonies in recent times is the mess left by who we refer to as Backpackers. Our understanding is that this matter will be addressed for the 100^th Anniversary. The grassed area is not damaged in any way other than what would normally expect with a large crowd. The Commonwealth War Graves (CWGC) do a fantastic job in keeping all the memorial sites and cemeteries in top condition.