Kiama Downs SLSC are NSW IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) Premiership champions for a fifth straight year.
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The club secured their latest series victory after a dominating performance in Sunday’s final round of competition at South Maroubra.
It’s a sweet victory for a Kiama Downs club which finished on top after each of the four rounds.
Kiama Downs finished with 30 points, four points clear of Caves Beach, with Queenscliff coming in third place with 23 points.
Illawarra’s other teams, Woonona (13 points) and Thirroul (11) finished the series in seventh and eighth place respectively.
But all the glory goes to Kiama Downs’ lifesavers who walk away with a new IRB motor from Lakeside Marine for their outstanding effort in taking out the Premiership.
Kiama Downs SLSC team manager Steven Guy said winning the Premiership once again showed their training is paying off.
‘’The racing has been a lot tighter this year, and I don’t think the pointscore reflects how close the races have been,’’ Guy said.
‘’There are a number of clubs who are starting to hit their straps - Caves Beach and Queenscliff are doing particularly well this year.
‘’We’re not a big club as our IRB team makes up half of our patrolling members so the IRB motor will go a long way towards helping our club continue to provide a safe environment for beach goers.’’
Kiama Downs’ impressive showing included winning nine gold medals in four different categories. Seven of these medals were won by Nathan Foster, who finished the Premiership with an outstanding seven gold medals from eight events.
Caves Beach were the next best with three gold medals, while Thirroul’s Open Female team finished with two gold medals in the Tube and Mass events.
Woonona’s U23 Mixed team also claimed two gold medals.
Surf Life Saving NSW sports manager Rob Pidgeon says the Premiership Series has been a huge success.
‘’Congratulations to Kiama Downs for winning the Premiership, it’s an amazing effort by the club. It’s also positive to see the quality of racing from all clubs improve this season and we’re very much looking forward to the State Championships” Pidgeon said.
‘’We thank Caves Beach, Terrigal, Birubi Point and South Maroubra for hosting the Premiership rounds as well as the officials for their amazing efforts over the last two months.’’
The State IRB Championships will be held at Mollymook SLSC on July 2-3.
