Chumphon october long boats & hotel suggestion

[foreigner]

I'm planning on going to Chumphon on Oct 9 for some long boat rowing thingie.
Anyone know the location / beach where the events are?

how get to Chumohon: Recommendation for a "VIP bus / private van " .. pick up where?
.. or the train?

I was surprised to see the main of Chumphon to be some distance from the Gulf.

Recommended hotels near the 'boating events' .. or on the beach?

[dirtydog]

Some Chumphon info here, Southern Thailand train timetables here although I think it is a 12 hour journey from Bangkok by train