Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club has returned from a successful Sharkskin Australian and Interstate Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Championships in Kingscliff, New South Wales.
Ocean Grove claimed gold in the Under 23 women’s mass rescue and
Under 23 women’s tube rescue while Barwon Heads 13th Beach picked up bronze in the Open women’s teams rescue.
Showcasing the IRB, one of the most popular pieces of modern lifesaving rescue equipment, the event saw teams from across the nation battling it
out across four fast and furious days of racing.
Pulling on the navy and white cap for team Victoria, Geelong-Surf Coast members selected in the Victorian state and development teams took home two medals and helped Victoria place third overall in the interstate component of the competition.
Life Saving Victoria general manager sports participation Ryan O’Connor congratulated Geelong-Surf Coast athletes, coaches and team management for their outstanding performance on the national stage.
“Victoria is a proud IRB racing state in the lifesaving world, and I could not be more proud to see Team Victoria on the podium placing third overall in the Interstate Championships and our clubs having such a strong performance in the Australian Championships,” he said.
“IRB racing is one of the best examples of sport providing active training for rescue-ready lifesavers, with our athletes braving the colder water at this time of year to practice their rescue skills in a competitive setting, skills that directly translate to saving lives between the flags during the summer patrol season.”
Open men’s mass rescue Open men’s tube rescue
2nd: Victorian state team (Stephanie Dimitrio, Thomas Lenehan, Conor McKinnon, Keely Peatling)
3rd: Victorian state team (Jake Pownall, Stephanie Pownall, Ryan Wilson)
Under 23 women’s tube rescue
1st: Ocean Grove SLSC (Orlagh Davison, Mackenzie Hooper, Lars Ralph)
Open women’s teams rescue
3rd: Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC (Zoe Campbell, Georgia McKinnon, Keely Peatling, Aaron Robson, Tara Scott, Amy Veenendaal)
Under 23 women’s mass rescue
1st: Ocean Grove SLSC (Olivia Ball, Orlagh Davison, Benjamin Eales, Drew Honey)
