Instead, they took a chance at testing themselves on the national stage which ultimately cost them local success.

Sweep Steve Monaghan said they were primed to again challenge the best open men's crews on the North Coast once the NSW statewide lockdown is lifted.

"They were belting the local open men's crews (last season)," Monaghan said.

"Straight off the bat they became competitive and they would have won the North Coast premiership if we didn't have to choose between going to ASRL Open and the final of the North Coast series.

"By not going to the final of the North Coast series it cost them a win in open men's."

Monaghan was confident the Kockatoos wouldn't take long to get up to speed once they could start training.

"At the moment we can't get in a boat and we can't train in gyms on the ergos unless they've got an ergo at home which few of them do," he said.

"It depends on the crew how long it takes to get up to speed.

"Some of them click straight into gear, but if you're not doing anything it will take a while to get the fitness up.

"They're young and fit so it shouldn't take too long. They're just natural athletes and that's why they went well."

Wauchope-Bonny Hills is also hopeful of fielding open and reserve men's crews along with a potentially new-look under-23 ladies crew.

"Most of our crews want to back up again this season. We've attracted a couple of new members that want to have a go, but that can take time," Monaghan said.

"Lucy's got a couple of girls interested to start another under-23 girls crew, but they will all need to get their bronze medallions."

The North Coast Surfboat Series is likely to start later in the year, potentially in November.

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