Kiama Downs SLSC has continued their incredible run by taking out the 2014 NSW Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Champion after a weekend of gruelling competition at South West Rocks.
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Strong winds, choppy surf and overall unfavourable conditions for racing, forced competition to be relocated on Saturday to nearby Arakoon, but that didn’t stop Kiama Downs who were a force to be reckoned with after backing up from winning the NSW IRB Premiership Series earlier this month.
Nineteen clubs from around the state descended on the mid-North Coast with Kiama Downs managing to snatch the title from rivals Caves Beach SLSC, who has won the championships an impressive ten times.
Kiama Downs Team Manager, Steven Guy, said the win was “just unreal.”
“We knew we had a chance coming into the event but it is so exciting to win because we have some guys in the team who have competed for 18 years and have never received a state title.
“Kiama Downs is a small club and our focus is on IRB racing. We have put a lot of effort into training and have developed a style and technique to ensure all our athletes are using consistent approaches in things like patient pick-ups.
"We entered a few more teams in this championships and were well represented across the events.
“It was a bit nasty on Saturday, but luckily for us Kiama Downs is an open beach and we are able to train regularly across a variety of conditions.
"We are now looking forward to the Interstate Championships where anything is possible,” said Mr Guy.
Surf Life Saving NSW Surf Sports Manager, Shane Knight, was delighted at the success of the event.
“We are really excited about how much competition has improved this year. Overall it was great to see Kiama Downs take the win as the club has proven themselves as a dominant force in IRB racing.
“The weekend puts us in good stead for the Interstate IRB Championships to be held at Kingscliff in July, where we hope to take the title from Queensland,” said Mr Knight.
Kiama Downs finished on 95 points after winning 8 of the eighteen finals events. They were followed by South Maroubra SLSC on 74 and Caves Beach SLSC on 70.
Top 10 Overall Pointscore:
1. Kiama Downs 95, 2. South Maroubra 74, 3. Caves Beach 70, 4. Catherine Hill Bay 24, 5. Thirroul 23, 6. Queenscliff 20, 7. Forster 13, 8. Shellharbour 5, 9. Terrigal 3, 10. North Avoca 3.
