July 28 - August 3, 2024: Issue 632

 

2024 Australian IRB Championships

Reports By SLSA and SLSNSW
Photos by Malcolm Trees

2024 NSW IRB INTERSTATE TEAM - photo by Malcolm Trees

KIAMA DOWNS AND CAVES BEACH SHINE ON AUSSIES STAGE

Tuesday 23 July 2024 - by SLSNSW

History was made and legacies cemented on Miami Beach at the 2024 Sharkskin Australian Inflatable Rescue Boat Championships as both Caves Beach SLSC and Kiama Downs SLSC capped their racing season with overall point score victories in the U23s on Friday 19 July and the Masters on Saturday 20 July, respectively.

The former, dominant more-or-less from start to finish in the heart of the Gold Coast, became the first non-Queensland based club to raise the U23 Australian Championship trophy in the history of the event.

Consistency was key for the Hunter club – Caves Beach managed podiums aplenty and took points from every race they contested on the way to a total score of 39, nearly twice that of eventual runners up Kurrawa SLSC and Kirra SLSC who both finished on 21.


“It’s surreal. Honestly, there’s a lot of hours a lot of preparation that goes into winning something as special as this,” Caves Beach driver, Flynn Wallace-Smith said.

“At our club there’s a lot of young talent coming through, but this result is more based on the effort and time we all put into training.”

Meanwhile, a storybook swansong for Kiama Downs legend, Steve Strong was confirmed on Saturday when his club took out the Masters title on his final day of IRB racing.

Strong’s impressive 40-year career was capped by gold and silver in the Male Teams Rescue and Male Surf Rescue – two of six medals all up for the South Coast club who would go on to top the point score with 38.

“To retire on a win like this, you can’t script it,” he said.

“People dream about it and I’m very lucky.

“I’m just over the moon.”

Kiama Downs finished 11 points ahead of Queensland powerhouse club, Broadbeach SLSC and Alexandra Headland SLSC rounded out the top three.

“There are only two clubs on the trophy, us and Broadbeach,” Strong continued.

“We’ve had a bit of a battle for the last couple of years, we won it, then they held on to it for a few years.

“But it’s nice to get it back, that’s pretty special.”

Earlier in the week, the Interstate Championships was run and won with NSW finishing third on countback behind winners, Queensland and runners up, Victoria.

The reports over the course of the 2024 IRB Championships by SLSA run below.

2024 NSW IRB INTERSTATE TEAM

  • Oliver Kleyn – Caves Beach
  • Luke Warzecha – Caves Beach
  • Luke Walmsley – Caves Beach
  • William Coppen – Caves Beach
  • Nathan Foster – Kiama Downs
  • Jordan Dusmanovic – Kiama Downs
  • Thomas Doyle – Newport
  • Luke Thornton – Newport
  • Victoria Coppen – Caves Beach
  • Hayley Walmsley – Caves Beach
  • Kathy Foster – Kiama Downs
  • Ella Cleal-Cook – Kiama Downs
  • Rhianna Kevill – Kiama Downs
  • Katlynn Coglan – North Cronulla
  • Lucy Green – North Cronulla
  • Rebekah Hawkins – Nobbys
  • Jayden Keys – Thirroul (RES)
  • Gabby Grieves – Caves Beach (RES)

2024 NSW IRB DEVELOPMENT TEAM

  • Jacob Curcio – Newport
  • Jayden Redfern – Newport
  • Flynn Wallace-Smith – Caves Beach
  • Daniel Ward – Caves Beach
  • Alex Shaddock – South Maroubra
  • Laurie Golsby – South Maroubra
  • Marshall Lines – South Maroubra
  • Thomas Hetherington – South Maroubra
  • Lily Hook – North Cronulla
  • Hannah Berman – North Cronulla
  • Emily Thornton – Newport
  • Haidee Underwood – Newport
  • Isabella Garay – South Maroubra
  • Elisa Garay – South Maroubra
  • Iona Dyson Merwe – South Maroubra
  • Lucy Burns – South Maroubra
  • Jack Hawkins – Nobbys (RES)
  • Grace Morley – Queenscliff (RES)


SHARKSKIN IRB Championships begin at Miami Beach with Queensland win in interstate comp.

Thursday July 18, 2024 - by SLSA

Queensland won their 14th consecutive Interstate IRB Championship on the first day of the 2024 National SHARKSKIN IRB Championships.

The Interstate Championships were an action-packed start to the four-day competition at Miami Beach, with the country’s top IRB athletes battling it out for State glory and another year of bragging rights.

The Queensland Cyclones continued their legacy of IRB dominance, winning four of the Interstate races, and finishing only one point ahead of the second-place Victoria. The Victorians tied with New South Wales on 26 overall points, but were placed ahead on a count back procedure. South Australia finished fourth on 10 points.

QLD Team Captain Ben Domeracki (Kirra SLSC) was proud of his team’s performance and remarkable success.

“It feels awesome to win. The team has worked really well together this year and we’ve had a really successful race day,” he said.

“The impeccable competition in Queensland pushes everyone to do their best week in and week out and there’s great friendships between the clubs as well.

“Fourteen in a row is very special. The legacy from previous competitors from QLD has paved the way and we just want to continue it with the wins.”

The opening heats of the Under 23s competitions also took place today, with the Finals scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow will also see the start of Masters competition, before attention turns to the Opens competitors this weekend.

For all the results from today’s racing and point score can be found on LiveHeats here.

Caves Beach victorious in historic U23 SHARKSKIN IRB National Championships 

Friday July 19, 2024

New South Wales’ Caves Beach SLSC have taken victory in the Under 23 competition on day two of the SHARKSKIN IRB National Championship in Miami, QLD. 

It was a fairy-tale moment for the club, who became the first non-Queensland based team to raise the National U23’s Championship trophy. 

Caves Beach was relentless in their racing, with a three silver and five bronze medal haul earning them points in every race they contested, finishing with 39 points. Kurrawa (QLD) and Kirra (QLD) fought hard with the teams finishing second equal on 21 points. 

Caves Beach U23s competitor Flynn Wallace-Smith says the club’s strong team culture was key to their success today. 

“It’s surreal. Honestly, there’s not a lot of hours a lot of preparation that goes into winning something as special as this,” he said.

“At our club there’s a lot of young talent coming through but this result is more based on the effort and time we all put into training.

“I got a two silver medals in the Male Tube and both the Team events, but for me its more about the people behind me and the people who put the hard yards to get me where I am.

“Two wins in a week, winning in the State of Origin and beating them now, its just surreal.”

The initial rounds of the Masters and Opens competition showcased impressive teamwork, skill, and lightning-fast reactions as participants tackled various races designed to simulate real-life rescues. Both the Opens and Masters competitions will resume tomorrow, featuring the highly anticipated Masters final. 

For all the results from today’s racing and point score can be found on LiveHeats here


Masters competition goes to Kiama Downs at the 2024 SHARKSKIN IRB National Championships   

Saturday July 20, 2024

Kiama Downs SLSC (NSW) took home three gold medals today in a close Masters Competition Final in the 2024 SHARKSKIN Australian IRB Championships.  

The Illawarra club also bagged two silvers and a bronze to finish atop the overall podium on 38 total points.  

Broadbeach SLSC (QLD) came in second with 27 points and Alexandra Headland (QLD) third with 25 points.  

Kiama Downs’ win was a continuation of a strong performance by NSW-based clubs at the 2024 competition thus far, with Caves Beach SLSC claiming the Under 23’s competition yesterday. 

Key to Kiama Downs’ success was Stephen Strong, who after 40 years of competing for the club, has announced his retirement from the sport of IRB racing.  

“To retire on a win like this, you can’t script it” he said. 

“People dream about it and I’m very lucky. 

“I’m just over the moon.” 

Adding to the occasion for Strong was getting the win over rivals Broadbeach. 

“There are only two clubs on the trophy, us and Broadbeach,” he said. 

“We’ve had a bit of a battle for the last couple of years, we won it, then they held on to it for a few years. 

“But its nice to get it back, that’s pretty special.” 

In his swansong National IRB Championships, Strong added another gold (Male Teams Rescue) and a silver (Male Surf Race) to his medal cabinet.  

Earlier in the day the Opens competition continued their intense racing, gearing up for tomorrow’s finals. Over 100 races were held throughout the day as the clear conditions continued.   

All the results from today’s racing and point score can be found on LiveHeats here

2024 Masters Championship Pointscore 

  1. Kiama Downs –  39 points 
  2. Broadbeach – 28 points 
  3. Alexandra Headland – 25 points 
  4. Caves Beach 22 – points 
  5. Bondi 14 – points 
  6. Kurrawa 13 – points 
  7. Queenscliff 7 – points 
  8. Thirroul 6 – points 
  9. Port Noarlunga 4 – points 
  10. Kirra 3 – points 
  11. Nobbys (NSW) 3 – points 
  12. Brighton  2 – points 
  13. Barwon Heads 13th Beach 1 – point 

Kirra SLSC are the 2024 SHARKSKIN Australian IRB Opens Champions: newport sLSC does best out of local clubs

Sunday July 21, 2024

Kirra SLSC dominated the finals today at the SHARKSKIN Australian IRB Open Championships taking home six gold and three silver medals (62 points). Fellow QLD clubs Broadbeach SLSC (second on 34 points) and Kurrawa SLSC (third on 32 points), put in their best efforts, but it was not enough to stop the team from Kirra SLSC from claiming a decisive victory, taking top spot on the podium.

Kirra SLSC won gold in the Open Male IRB Mass Rescue, the Open Female IRB Mass Rescue, the Open Female IRB Teams Rescue, the Open Male IRB Tube Rescue, the Open Female IRB Surf Rescue, and claimed both gold and silver in the Open Male IRB Surf Rescue. The club also won silver in both the Open Female IRB Tube Rescue and the Open Mixed Relay.

Kirra SLSC team manager Anthony Cassone says his club’s win was a true team effort.

“We’re not a rich club, and we fundraise for everything we have as a team and we really put all our blood sweat and tears into it, so this win really means a lot for the for the club,” he said.

“It’s not just one person or one group, its like a big family. There’s a whole range of people that got us to this moment, and it’s really special for everyone.

“We told the crews to come and make a statement, and I think they did that today.”

Forty-two clubs competed at this year’s IRB Championships, with 375 races run over the four days.

Next year’s National IRB Championships have today been announced for the next two years to be at South West Rocks on the Mid North NSW coast.  They will run from 17-20th July in 2025 and 16-19th July in 2026.

Shane Holliday Managing Director of SHARKSKIN says they are excited to continue their support for two more years.

“SHARKSKIN is excited to host the 2025 and 2026 SHARKSKIN Australian IRB Championships at South West Rocks. We look forward to continuing our support of Surf Life Saving Australia and especially IRB racing,” he said.

“Its a great way to engage members at a club level, and we love getting involved in events like this.

“We are excited to announce the extension of our naming rights sponsorship and we look forward to helping to bring the event to South West Rocks for the next two years.”

The Australian Life Saving Team’s IRB competitors were announced today following the competitions results.

It was another amazing feat for the Kirra club, who’s IRB competitors will make up both the Australian Male and Female IRB Crews. These members will represent Australia in the World Life Saving Championships held on the Gold Coast from 20th August to the 8th September.

2024 SHARKSKIN Australian IRB Championships – Opens Competition Pointscore

  1. Kirra SLSC                                             61 points
  2. Broadbeach SLSC                                 34 points
  3. Kurrawa SLSC                                      31 points
  4. Caves Beach SLSC                                12 points
  5. Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC      10 points 
  6. Miami Beach SLSC                               8 points
  7. Newport SLSC                                       7 points
  8. Barwon Heads SLSC                           6 points
  9. Williamstown SLSC                             6 points
  10. Thirroul SLSC                                       5 points
  11. Nobbys SLSC (NSW)                           4 points
  12. North Cronulla SLSC                          3 points
  13. Kiama Downs SLSC                            3 points
  14. Venus Bay SLSC                                   3 points
  15. Hampton LSC                                       2 points

All the results from the championships can be found on LiveHeats here.

Australian Life Saving Team – IRB Crews

Women’s team

  • Te’a Domeracki
  • Josephine Dutton
  • Chelsea Gillett
  • Bailie Nash

Men’s team

  • Benjamin Domeracki
  • Michael McAteer
  • Isaac Nation
  • Taylor Rawlings

Coach: Andrew McAuliffe and Te’a Domeracki

Manager: Anthony Cassone