Despite a spirited challenge from North Cronulla SLSC, a fourth straight title is heading back to Lake Macquarie after Caves Beach SLSC triumphed, once again, at the 2026 Sharkskin NSW IRB Championships in Fingal Bay.
Just weeks after finishing the four-round Premiership Series on top of the mountain at Swansea Belmont, racing moved north to Port Stephens on the weekend of 3-5 July where the result would, eventually, turn out to be the same.
The Hunter club finished the weekend on 148 points, just 15 ahead of North Cronulla, and there was a big gap back to third where Newport SLSC beat out Queenscliff SLSC, Kiama Downs SLSC and Thirroul SLSC for the final podium place.
Flat conditions met competitors to open up the carnival, with pure racing the order of the day. Speed and precision were rewarded handsomely before Fingal put on a bit of a wave for finals which separated the competition and made medals that bit harder to achieve.
Part of North Cronulla’s impressive push for a title boilover came from their dominance of the Open Female category, winning each available final, while the U23 female competitors won three of four finals – slipping up only in the Rescue event which was won by Queenscliff SLSC.
Newport showed its strength in the Open Male category, winning two finals, including the Newport Gold team of Jacob Curcio, Crew, Keelan Smith, Driver and Luke Thornton Patient, winning the Open Male Tube, while Newport Gold Team of Winston Xu, Crew, Nickolas Singh, Crew, Keelan Smith, Driver, Jacob Curcio, Driver, Melisse Cooper, Patient and Bethany Pate, Patient, who won the Open Male Teams.
Newport's 'Knot Bad' team of Naomi Bronier, Crew, Melisse Cooper, Driver, Nickolas Singh, Patient and Bethany Pate, Patient, won 3rd in the Open Female Mass Rescue.
Bungan Beach SLSC's Team of 'Nut Bush and KneeGone'; Skye Turner, Crew, Victoria Cuthbert, Driver, and Patients in Spencer Nelson and Andrew Brodie, also competed in the Open Female Mass Rescue. Bungan's 'Boy Toys' crew had a run in the Open Male Mass; Nicholas McGibbon, Crew, Spencer Nelson, Driver and with Ava Chitty and Skye Turner as Patients.
Queenscliff's Tony Hawk Team won 2nd in the Open Male Rescue, with Shaun Sursok, Crew, David Callan, Driver and Melissa Way giving first placed crew, North Cronulla's 'Show Us Your Cans', a good run for the finish line.
Kiama Downs SLSC's traditionally strong Masters contingent picked up a number of medals in the Over 35 and O45 categories.
Further down the point score tally, Forster SLSC earned four silver medals on its way to the club’s best ever State Championships result, Ocean Beach SLSC were very impressive in crossing the line first in the Rookie Rescue, and Nobbys SLSC jagged a U23 Male Tube gold medal.
SLSNSW Chair of Surf Sports, Don van Keimpema said the carnival was a fantastic showcase of lifesaving skills.
“This weekend showed the skills and determination across the sport, and it shows that IRB racing is so healthy. I’m really pleased to see where we’re at right now,” he said.
Naming Rights Partner, Sharkskin’s Managing Director, Shane Holliday echoed this feeling.
“We support the IRB community because the IRB community supports us, and we’re so grateful for everyone here and the great spirit of competition,” he said.
To complement its Overall Point Score title, Caves also won the Rodney ‘Rocket’ Williams Memorial Trophy for the Masters Point Score Champions.
Meanwhile, North Cronulla took out the Alistair ‘Slim’ Peebles Memorial Trophy for the U23 Champions and the John Wake Memorial Trophy for the Opens Champions.
Thanks goes to Port Stephens Council for its support of the event this year.
FULL RESULTS
Overall Point Score Tally
- Caves Beach – 148
- North Cronulla – 133
- Newport – 62
- Queenscliff – 57
- Kiama Downs – 51
- Thirroul – 49
- Bondi – 31
- South Maroubra – 29
- Forster – 20
- Nobbys – 16
- Maroubra – 4
- North Avoca – 2
- Bungan Beach – 0
- Fingal Beach – 0
- Ocean Beach – 0
- Terrigal – 0
Full 2026 State Championships results here
2026 NSW IRB Interstate Team
The 2026 NSW IRB Interstate Team was announced on Monday July 13 and includes both Newport and Queenscliff athletes.
The 2026 SHARKSKIN Australian and Interstate IRB Championships will be held at South West Rocks, NSW, from 15 July to 19 July.
The SHARKSKIN Australian and Interstate Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Championships are an opportunity for the best IRB crews from across the country to compete against each other over one action-packed weekend promoting the skills required to complete a successful IRB rescue.
You can watch all the action from the U23, Masters, and Open Competition Finals on the SLSA YouTube Channel.
2026 NSW IRB Interstate Team
NSW Wins 2026 IRB Interstate Championship
The team from NSW has claimed the Interstate Championship title for the first time in 17 years on Wednesday July 15, topping the leaderboard after an incredible day of racing at the SHARKSKIN 2026 Australian IRB Championships in South West Rocks, and after just missing out through a countback in the 2025 event.
HISTORY MADE. DOMINANCE DELIVERED.
The final standings tell the story:
🥇 NSW – 60 points
🥈 QLD – 47 points
🥉 VIC – 41 points
Surf Life Saving NSW said:
''What made this victory so special wasn't just the result. It was the consistency, the composure under pressure and the way this team raced for each other in every single event. The team culture, spirit and support shown today was second to none, with many commenting on how well this entire group worked together both on and off the water.
A huge congratulations to our coaching and management team:
Jayson Elkins – Head Coach
Adrian Futterleib – Assistant Coach
Stephen Strong – Team Manager
Guyren Smith – Assistant Team Manager
NSW, this one's OURS!!!''
Photo Credit to Malcolm Trees for always capturing the moment.
Surf Life Saving Australia and Ampol Launch 2026 IRB Hull Competition To Support Clubs Nationwide
In related IRB's news, on July 1 Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) announced it is proud to partner with Ampol, powering surf life saving clubs across the country with the launch of the 2026 Ampol Inflatable Rescue Boat Hull Competition.
Now in its fifth year, the Ampol IRB Hull Competition plays an important role in supporting clubs nationwide, equipping them with upgraded, essential rescue equipment and strengthening lifesaving capability on Australian beaches.
Following a significant uplift last year – increasing from two IRB hulls to twelve – the 2026 competition will once again give clubs the opportunity to secure a brand new IRB hull, ensuring volunteers across the country have the functional equipment they need to keep their communities safe.
“Ampol is proud to continue what has become a yearly initiative to donate this essential rescue equipment to 12 deserving surf life saving clubs across Australia,” Ampol Chief Brand and Customer Officer Jenny O’Regan.
“We want the impact of our partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia to be long lasting, all while supporting their mission of zero preventable deaths within Australian waters.
“Community safety is a key pillar of the Ampol Foundation, and that includes supporting the thousands of volunteer lifesavers who ensure the Australian coastline remain safe throughout the summer months.”
The IRB has been a critical innovation in surf lifesaving since the 1970s and remains a vital piece of equipment for rescues, patrols and surveillance on Australian beaches each season.
Surf Life Saving Australia CEO, Adam Weir, said the ongoing partnership with Ampol continues to make a meaningful difference to clubs and communities across the country.
“Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) are an essential piece of rescue equipment for our clubs, and ensuring our volunteers have access to reliable, modern equipment is vital.
“Ampol’s continued support through the IRB Hull Competition means more clubs can upgrade their rescue fleet and strengthen their ability to protect their local communities. Their investment in recent years has enabled dozens of clubs to improve their capability.
“We’re grateful for Ampol’s commitment to surf lifesaving and we’re extremely pleased to launch the competition together once again this year.”
Ampol’s support has delivered brand-new IRB hulls to clubs nationwide, with last year’s competition rewarding clubs across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
The 2026 Ampol IRB Hull Competition is open from 1 July 2026 – 2 September 2026. Click here to enter the competition, and check the Terms and Conditions here.
Reports: SLS NSW and SLSA, photos: Malcolm Trees and SLS NSW
