Western Suns head east for IRB Champs

Described as the V8s of surf rescue, over 1,000 of Australia’s best IRB competitors took to Kingscliff Beach, NSW, from Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 July, to compete in the 2019 Australian and Interstate IRB Racing Championships.

With swell and wind conditions conducive for good racing, our Western Suns put up a strong fight which saw them bring home a 4th place finish in the Interstate Championships.

Standout performances came from Emily Regan, Hannah O’Neil, and Hollie Shiels-Rudd who took silver in the Female Single Rescue; while Josh Bull, Cameron Rapley, Robert Payne, Todd Bartle, Megan Bulley and Ayden Bartle took bronze in the Male Teams event.

The Female Mass Rescue team battled valiantly and, with great driving and crew work, overcame a difficult start to finish 4th.

The final relay event of the Interstates sees all 16 male and female team members take part as they complete the Tube Rescue; Mass Rescue; Teams and Single Rescue as one event. With changes between disciplines being critical, and disqualifications often occurring, WA demonstrated great technical skill, finding the balance between speed and accuracy. Initial results saw WA placed first in the event, however, a later appeal saw a number of disqualifications being overturned, relegating WA to a minor placing.

Western Suns IRB Team Manager Laurie DeMamiel said that overall, the Western Suns performed very well and gained valuable experience and confidence, leaving them inspired to go one better next year.

With the Aussie Championships continuing the weekend of events, special mention to Dana De Bondt, Jacinta Waters, Hollie Sheils-Rudd and Anja Sloan who took home 4th place for Scarboro in the U23 Female IRB Mass Rescue; and Megan Bulley, Sean Coventry and Lillyan Rosich (Mullaloo) who finished 4th in the U23 Female IRB Rescue Tube event.

Full results for the 2019 National IRB Championships found here 

Check out the full Western Suns team that competed here.