SURF LIFE SAVING –
The first Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) racing event in two years for Surf Life Saving NSW kicked off in perfect conditions at Terrigal over the weekend of May 14 – 15, with a new Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) team coming together for the first time.
After losing four of their team members due to changes in career paths during the 2020 Covid episode, the Ocean Beach IRB team has since benefited from six new fresh faces.
The large swell at other beaches across the state did not affect the Terrigal waters, with the headland providing protection from the wind and waves to make the conditions ideal for the newcomers to the sport.
Nonetheless, with fierce opposition coming from across the state in this Round One of Four of the NSW IRB Premiership, the Peninsula team certainly had their work cut out for them.
The winning club over the weekend was the defending Series and State Champions, Kiama Downs, who took out an incredible 15 of the 23 finals and finished well in front with 163 points.
Kiama Downs Team Manager Steve Strong said there was a lot of experience in his team.
“Our management systems and our training systems have all been in place for a long time and now we’re capitalising on it and have been fortunate enough to enjoy a really good run the last few years,” he said.
Behind Kiama Downs in second place was host club, Terrigal, on 89 points, and further below was North Avoca in ninth place, finishing with 23 points.
Teammates Laura and Chloe from Terrigal club said the sport provided a great thrill.
“The adrenalin and the camaraderie of the team is what we love,” said Chloe.
“This first event is great having everyone here on our home beach, it’s a pretty even playing field and the sun is out – what more could you want?” said Laura.
Ocean Beach were unfortunate not to place after competing in eight races in the Under 23 and Open Men divisions.
IRB coach and competitor for Ocean Beach, Jason Smith, commented on the need for his team to train and compete in more premiership rounds in order to improve their teamwork and efficiency.
“We have a few more rounds up our sleeve to prepare our skills, hopefully make some places in the premiership rounds and then look forward to the state championships to impress there as well,” Smith said.
“When the swell is big, messy and unpredictable, we’re the guys and girls who go out, who are trained in those conditions, who when other people aren’t confident, we are.
“These are the traits and skills as a team we try to develop amongst ourselves, in our individual teams and as a group.”
The next round of the premiership will be over the weekend of May 29 – 30, at Cape Hawke SLSC on the Lower North Coast, followed by Round Three at Warilla Barrack Point SLSC on the South Coast on June 12 – 13.
The final round of the premiership will return to the Central Coast and take place at Ocean Beach on June 26 – 27.
Source:
Media Release, May 17
Surf Life Saving NSW.