Barwon Heads 13th Beach speed to victory at state titles

BARWON Heads 13th Beach Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) has gone back to back at the Victorian IRB Championships and taken out Victoria’s TRE Motorsport Victorian Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) open division.

Over two days of fierce competition, Lorne Main Beach hosted 18 teams from across the state including Anglesea SLSC, Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC, Fairhaven SLSC, Lorne SLSC and Ocean Grove SLSC.

Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC won eight division disciplines including the Open women’s rescue division, Open women’s mass rescue category, Open men’s teams rescue and master’s men’s mass rescue categories.

Ocean Grove SLSC were the next best local club with one second place finish in the Open women’s teams rescue division.

LSV general manager of sports participation Ryan O’Connor congratulated all competitors on their efforts, particularly in what were hard conditions.

“Our IRB racing teams put on an absolute show of skills and perseverance in our state championships events in woolly winter conditions.

“Lifesavers on patrol never know what kind of conditions they will be faced with, and they took it in their stride to adapt and rise to the challenge.

“The IRB is one of the most popular pieces of rescue equipment, having been used for 135 rescues during the 2022-23 patrol season, and this weekend was a fantastic example of our athletes’ rescue ready skills.”

For full results, head to lsv.com.au