May 7 - 13, 2017: Issue 311

Lifesavers Launch Into IRB Season 2017

Bungan SLSC  Round 1 IRB - have won 2nd in Rookie Mixed Rescue IRB, 3rd in Under 23 Mixed Teams IRB and 3rd in Under 23 Mixed Tube IRB - photo by Richard Black
Avalon Beach SLSC Round 1 IRB - have won 2nd Under 23 Mixed Teams IRB, 2nd Rookie Mixed Mass IRB, 3rd Rookie Mixed Rescue IRB, 4th 35+ Mixed Teams IRB, 5th 45 + Mixed Rescue IRB, 6th 35+ Mixed Mass IRB, 8th 45 + Mixed Mass IRB - Team photo above courtesy Richard Cole
Above - Avalon Beach SLSC IRB crew in action, courtesy Richard Cole, President Avalon Beach SLSC

Lifesavers Launch Into IRB Season

Monday 1 May 2017
Lifesavers were back on the beach over the weekend to kick off the 2017 IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) Premiership Series at Caves Beach SLSC near Lake Macquarie.

The two-day event brought together almost 300 surf lifesavers and a host of supporters from around the state to watch the premier event of its type, highlighting the skill and speed used by surf lifesavers when keeping beach goers safe in this iconic rescue equipment.

Kiama Downs (South Coast) dominated racing with an impressive 13 wins from 14 starts. The reigning champions took bragging rights with hosts Caves Beach SLSC and Catherine Hill Bay SLSC rounding out the top three.

The South Coast club continued its dominance in the Premiership from last season, blitzing the field in the Over 35s and Opens divisions, including the new Open Mixed IRB Relay.

Kiama Downs IRB Captain Steven Guy says the club’s performance was outstanding.

“It was a pretty phenomenal effort by our team over the weekend especially as we weren’t able to contest the 45+ division,” Mr Guy said.
“The level of competition was good across the board and there are a few new clubs this season which is pleasing to see.”

Close rivals Caves Beach were also a club to watch, securing multiple podium finishes and making the most of the new Over 45s division with wins in the Rescue and Tube races. The club was also impressive in the U23s, taking out three of the four events.

In other results, Coogee were first past the post in the Rookie Rescue and Mass Rescue events and Queenscliff cruised to victory in the 35+ Rescue event. In the new 45+ division, North Avoca were too good in the Teams event while Terrigal won the Mass Rescue event.

A new addition to IRB racing this season is the inclusion of Composite Teams which allows small IRB clubs to join forces to race. Over the weekend MacMasters, Soldiers Beach, Toowoon Bay, Umina and Wamberal from the Central Coast Branch brought their skills together to field teams.
Surf Life Saving NSW Sports Manager, Rob Pidgeon says competitors were thrilled to be back on the beach for the IRB racing season.

“It was great to get the season underway last weekend in the Hunter. The level of competition was very high particularly with a host of new clubs and competitors,” Mr Pidgeon said.

“Caves Beach SLSC were again great hosts and we thank them for their efforts as well as the officials who always do an outstanding job”.

The second round of the NSW IRB Premiership heads to Mollymook on 20 and 21 May with round three and four to be held at Ocean Beach and Cape Hawke respectively.


2017 NSW IRB Round 1 Top 10 Pointscore
1 Kiama Downs SLSC 134
2 Caves Beach SLSC 107
3 Catherine Hill Bay SLSC 48
4 North Cronulla SLSC 44
5 Terrigal SLSC 38
6 South Maroubra SLSC 35
7 North Avoca SLSC 32
8 Coogee SLSC 29
9 Queenscliff SLSC 28
10 Woonona SLSC 24

By Surf Life Saving NSW
Newport Surf Life Saving Club

Well done to our IRB racing team this weekend making 6 finals including the 35+ tube, U23 tube, U23 teams, Rookie mass rescue, U23 rescue and Rookie rescue. Thank you to all of their supporters who helped with set up and moving boats in and out of the alleys.
Looking forward to the next round in Mollymook on the 20th May.

More local IRB Teams Results:

35+ Mixed Teams IRB Final
4th Avalon Beach SLSC Team A  
Peter Carter, Richard Cole, Zachary  Dale, Jason Dale, Melissa Hall, Alan  Mahn

45 + Mixed Rescue IRB
5th Avalon Beach SLSC Team A    
Richard Cole, Melissa Hall, Alan Mahn

35+ Mixed Mass IRB
6th Avalon Beach SLSC Team A 
Peter Carter, Zachary Dale, Jason Dale, Melissa Hall

45 + Mixed Mass IRB
8th  Avalon Beach SLSC Team A
Richard Cole, Zachary Dale, Melissa Hall, Alan Mahn

Rookie Mixed Mass IRB
2nd Avalon Beach SLSC Team A   
Todd Barber,  Zachary Dale,  Alan Mahn, Alan Moran, Alan (M)  
3rd Newport SLSC Tall and Lanky  
Lauren Budd, Nickolas Singh, Guyren Smith, Liam  Taurins

Rookie Mixed Rescue IRB
2nd Bungan Beach SLSC Inc Bait Boy  
Joshua Bryden, Amber Clark, Aidan Clark   
3rd Avalon Beach SLSC Team A    
Todd Barber, Zachary Dale, Melissa Hall
Also in Grand Final Newport SLSC Tall and Lanky
Lauren Budd, Nickolas Singh, Guyren Smith, Liam  Taurins

Under 23 Mixed Teams IRB
2nd Avalon Beach SLSC Team A    
Peter Ashcroft, Todd Barber, Amelia Barber, Matthew Mayall, Scott Poole, Nicholas Sampson  
3rd Bungan Beach SLSC Inc Flying Bunghole  
Isabella Ball, Joshua Bryden, Amber Clark, Aidan Clark, Matthew  Crago, Callum Montgomerie
5th Newport SLSC Team A    
Naomi Bronier, Melissa Cooper, Tara Doyle, Nathan Doyle, Keelan Smith, Liam Taurins

Under 23 Mixed Tube IRB
3rd Bungan Beach SLSC Inc Mad Huey    
Amber Clark, Aidan Clark, Matthew Crago   
5th Newport SLSC Mail Naleek    
Nickolas Singh, Keelan Smith, Liam Taurins    


Avalon Beach SLSC Roudn 1 IRB 2017 - photo courtesy Richard Cole

Avalon Beach SLSC - IRB Round 1 Premiership Team fun and Action

Photos by Richard Cole
President
Avalon Beach SLSC
Queenscliff SLSC
Forster SLSC
Ocean Beach SLSC
Kiama Downs SLSC
North Cronulla SLSC
Caves Beach SLSC