Ocean Grove boaters impress on national stage

OCEAN GROVE Surf Life Saving Club’s women’s inflatable rescue boat (IRB) teams have returned home after a gold, silver and two bronze medal finishes in Mollymook, New South Wales.

Club representatives Emily Bambrook, Georgia Cashin, Orlagh Davison, Gabrielle Hannan, Drew Honey, Mackenzie Hooper, Keely Peatling, and Oliver Sullivan shined at the Australian IRB Championships on July 22.

Davison, Hannan and Peatling were crowned Australian champions in the open women’s tube rescue, followed by Bambrook, Cashin, Davison, Honey attaining silver in the open women’s mass rescue.

Davison, Hannan, Hooper went on to get bronze in the under 23 women’s tube meanwhile Bambrook, Cashin, Davison, Hannan, Peatling and Sullivan equalled that result in the open women’s teams rescue.

Life Saving Victoria general manager of education, sport and club development Kate Simpson congratulated athletes for their efforts on the national stage.

“Victorian lifesavers have a fantastic record of outstanding results at the Australian IRB Championships, and I am thrilled to say in 2022 we have continued this proud tradition,” she said.

“To see our Geelong and Surf Coast clubs perform so strongly, including an incredible four podium finishes from the Ocean Grove women’s teams is fantastic, and I extend my congratulations to everyone for their amazing efforts in Mollymook.”

Other local clubs to attend the national championships included Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC, Lorne SLSC and Point Lonsdale SLSC.