The ducks are back on the water as state surf sport competition returns to Fingal Beach – the host club hoping to take advantage of familiar conditions and surge up the leader board in Round 2 of the NSW Sharkskin IRB Premiership.
After successfully hosting the 2023 Interbranch Championships back in December, six months later eyes are turning back to Port Stephens for Inflatable Rescue Boat racing, with some teams looking to consolidate impressive starts and others looking to take another step after the opening weekend in Collaroy a fortnight ago.
Heading into Round 2 – the end of which will mark the halfway point of the Premiership series – it’s a familiar pair jostling for bragging rights; Caves Beach SLSC and Kiama Downs SLSC the only clubs to score triple figures last time out.
Close behind, though, and perhaps far closer than many anticipated, is South Maroubra SLSC – within 10 points of Kiama Downs in second and a handful of wins from top spot. Thirroul SLSC and Newport SLSC currently round out the top five and will likely compete for podium places each round.
It’s to be a weekend to celebrate the little clubs, too, with hometown heroes, Fingal Beach SLSC working to build on the handful of points accumulated in Round 1.
“Fingal is a great little club and we’re excited to be racing,” Fingal Beach competitor, Adrian Futterleib said.
“We moved up from Sydney to Newcastle last year and saw IRB racing as a great way to get some young people into the club and get ourselves moving in the sport.”
Meanwhile, Forster SLSC will return to the competition for the first time since 2019, making the (relatively) short trip down south with a small but determined team from the Lower North Coast.
“The Forster team is looking forward to being part of the Premiership again, the COVID years have brought about some big changes in our team,” Forster competitor, Simon Lee said.
“We still have Beth (Lee) and I, who have been racing since the 90’s, Joe Williams who has raced a few times before, and we’ve got six teenagers keen to experience IRB racing for the first time.
“We’ve always seen the value of IRB racing for upskilling members and as a tool for youth retention, and it’s going to be a big day on Saturday with a lot to take in for our new racers. It’ll be great to be on the line again.”
SHARKSKIN IRB PREMIERSHIP POINT SCORE AFTER ROUND 1
Caves Beach SLSC – 117
Kiama Downs SLSC – 105
South Maroubra SLSC – 96
Thirroul SLSC – 68
Newport SLSC – 67
Bondi SBLSC – 33
Queenscliff SLSC – 29
Maroubra SLSC – 28
North Avoca SLSC – 24
Nobbys SLSC – 18
North Cronulla SLSC – 18
Fingal Beach SLSC – 5
Helensburgh Stanwell Park SLSC – 5
Avalon Beach SLSC – 4
Ocean Beach SLSC – 4
Bungan Beach SLSC – 0
Mona Vale SLSC – 0
Forster SLSC – YET TO COMPETE
Soldiers Beach SLSC – YET TO COMPETE
Wanda SLSC – YET TO COMPETE
Wednesday 22 May 2024