The 2016 IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) racing season concluded in spectacular fashion on the weekend when Mollymook Beach hosted the season-ending Australian Titles.
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While ultimate glory went to the North Burleigh SLSC from Queensland who surged to their third consecutive National IRB Championship, the performances of Kiama Downs (second) and Caves Beach (third) showed that the gap is closing.
It was a just reward for the two proud NSW clubs who have each enjoyed a stellar season.
NSW IRB Premiership and Championship winners, Kiama Downs continued their form into the weekend finishing with a gold medal in the Open Mixed Relay and Open Male Teams, and were second in Open Male Rescue.
Just as it is has been for most of the season a small margin of five points separated Caves Beach SLSC and their southern rivals.
The Hunter-based club won a silver medal in Open Male Mass and a bronze medal in Open Male Tube.
With more than 500 athletes from 40 clubs competing at the Australian IRB Championships, NSW crews demonstrated amazing skills and effort throughout the weekend’s racing to have six clubs finish inside the coveted top 10 on the overall point-score.
The Australian IRB Championships ran over three days from July 22-24 at Mollymook SLSC.
The club also hosted the IRB Interstate Championships on the Friday morning.
In the annual Interstate Championships, NSW improved on their 2015 performance to finish in second behind the Queensland IRB team.
It was a silver morning for the NSW team, finishing the championships in second place in Open Mixed Relay, Open Male Rescue and Tube, and Open Female Rescue and Team.
Surf Life Saving NSW Sports manager Rob Pidgeon was delighted with the performance of the NSW clubs and felt that it was a reward for their dedication and training.
“I’m very proud of the results that our NSW Interstate team and clubs achieved over the weekend at Mollymook SLSC,” he said.
“Throughout the IRB season, all competitors showed amazing dedication to their sport, and a lot of this training will be used in summer to help keep our beaches safe.”