The event was moved to the Moruya River after safety concerns forced racing away from the open ocean on Monday.

Bulli, after winning the opening day by three minutes, remained unbeaten, but only after fighting off a determined challenge from Coogee.

It proved to be an even more difficult day for Wollongong City’s women’s crew, with Emma Prowse taken to Moruya Hospital for observation after competing in rough conditions.

Wollongong City sweep Brett Dingwall said while conditions were safer in the river, the rain and wind still proved challenging.

“We had the tide running out to the ocean and then faced the wind the other way,” he said.

“So it was hard yakka without even counting for the rain, which was pretty torrential.

“The girls also had to row longer than they normally would. There’s only designated areas for crew change on the river, so it wasn’t always easy getting them in and out of the boat.”

While Prowse was released from hospital on Monday afternoon, an Anglesea rower also received first aid treatment for a minor injury.

Adding to the rowers’ woes, the crews were forced to find alternative accommodation, Wollongong City moving to cabins to be warm and dry overnight.

“The crews had a fairly challenging night at camp with torrential rain at the high school,” Marathon director Andrew Edmunds said.

“Fortunately we were able to get today’s leg completed before more rain and the high tide which now has flood warnings out for the Moruya River.”

Competitors were to start at Moruya Beach for the 19-kilometre leg to Coila Beach, Tuross Head, but dangerous conditions forced marathon organisers to use the alternative course.

 Edmunds said safety of the competitors and support craft was paramount. 

"Conditions just didn't allow for a race at sea today,” he said.

“Instead we are using a contingency plan for a 15-kilometre row on the river which will test the rowers."

After a sunshine-drenched start to the gruelling seven-day 190-kilometre marathon in Batemans Bay, a grey sky, cooler temperature and driving rain greeted entrants, support crews and race officials for the start of the second leg at Preddy’s Wharf.

Competitors rowed three laps from Preddy’s Wharf to Moruya Town Wharf and completed sharp turns around markers, before they finished in Moruya.

There were no issues at the second leg starting line and the ski racers started first followed by open men, open women, masters’ men and masters’ women.

Dingwall isn’t expecting rowing to be easier on Tuesday.

“There’s more to come,” he said.

“It’s all part of the fun of it.”