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Surf sports stay hot as weather cools down

Life savers in the first inflatable rescue boat racing of the season.

By news@gippsland - 20th May 2021 - Back to News

This weekend, Victorian lifesaving teams descended upon Mordialloc beach to compete in the water equivalent of the Formula 1, in the first inflatable rescue boat (IRB) racing carnival of the season.

Rescuers and race participants Tara Scott, Paul Caddaye and Tom Jackson

Rubber duckies to retrieve patients

Although the summer season is over, Victoria’s surf lifesavers remain active over the winter, racing "rubber duckies" to retrieve patients, showcasing these important lifesaving skills in a competitive setting. Mordialloc Life Saving Club hosted the first IRB carnival in two years, after the season was unable to go ahead in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Also joining the festival are rescuers Kiara McJames, Scarlett Beaton and Jaz McJames

Williamstown Swimming and Life Saving Club were the overall winners on the day in the open division with 66 points, edging out Elwood LSC on 64 points and Brighton LSC and Barwon Heads 13th Beach tied for third position on 47 points.

Brighton were victorious in the under 23 division overall rankings with 67 points, ahead of Wonthaggi SLSC with 30 points and Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC rounded out the top three with 29 points.

Thrilled about the race

Life Saving Victoria Manager - Aquatic Sport Simon Butterly said, "It was fantastic to see 15 clubs enter strong teams in our first IRB carnival of the season, which was also our first IRB competition in two years due to the season being cancelled in 2020."

Inflatable Rescue Boat and Junior Lifesavers, were given the opportunity to finalise their training structures and ensure their teaching techniques were consistent

We haven’t had 15 clubs present at an IRB carnival for a long time, so we are thrilled to see the sport continuing to grow despite such a long break. It was particularly pleasing to see two clubs, Dromana Bay SLSC and St Kilda LSC debuting at their first ever IRB carnival and Lorne SLSC returning to IRB racing after a break from the sport.

We are looking forward to a fantastic season of racing. Just because the warm weather stops, it doesn’t mean surf sports do and our IRB teams will be back in action again at Ocean Grove on May 23.

Results of the race

Results of the Open Tube Rescue

Results of the Open Mass Rescue

Open Teams Rescue

Under 23 Rescue

Under 23 Tube Rescue

Under 23 Mass Rescue

Under 23 Teams Rescue

Results for IRB relay

Pictures from Life Saving Victoria Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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