Australian IRB Championships

Winter seemed reluctant to yield to spring on the Gold Coast during this weekendâ„¢s National IRB Championships, as 27 of the countryâ„¢s best rescue crews battled it out in a challenging one metre swell, and cool, blustery conditions.

North Burleigh SLSC took out the event with dominant performances in the Open Male Surf
Rescue and the Open Female Rescue Tube, holding off strong challenges from the crews from Kurrawa and Point Lookout clubs.


Winter seemed reluctant to yield to spring on the Gold Coast during this weekend’s National IRB Championships, as 27 of the country’s best rescue crews battled it out in a challenging one metre swell, and cool, blustery conditions.

North Burleigh SLSC took out the event with dominant performances in the Open Male Surf
Rescue and the Open Female Rescue Tube, holding off strong challenges from the crews from Kurrawa and Point Lookout clubs.

Peter Hallett, a coach of the North Burleigh crews, and one of the most experienced IRB drivers in Australia, said the testing conditions over the weekend had demonstrated the skills of IRB drivers and crews from Queensland and right across Australia.

“This weekend has proved that IRB racing is stronger, safer and more competitive following the necessary reforms of the past couple of years, he said.

The National IRB Championships, held at Tallebudgera SLSC, are an important part of improving the skills of the country’s surf rescue crews, who will be called upon to carry out rescues in all manner of conditions during the coming season.

SLSA Director of Surf Sports, Dave Thompson, said that the inflatable rescue boat (IRB) was the work horse’ of the Australian surf lifesaving movement and a vibrant competition helps develop the skills of IRB drivers and crews and improves safety outcomes on our beaches.

“We are delighted that after a break of three years, the championships have been conducted in great spirit by all the crews involved and SLSA looks forward to IRB racing becoming a fixture on the surf sports calendar in the future, he said. “The closeness of the results across the weekend are an indication that the new rules and requirements for sealed motors have been successful in making the contest much fairer.

The championships have also provided a strong guide of which teams to watch at Rescue 2006 – the World Lifesaving Championships – being held in Geelong and Lorne next February. Lorne will provide a spectacular setting and ideal conditions for the best IRB crews in the world to challenge for the title of world champions, and judging by the skills on display at Tallebudgera over the weekend, Australian crews will be the ones to beat.

The World IRB Championships will be held on 21 and 22 February 2006 as part of Rescue 2006.