13th Beach collects hardware at annual IRB State Champs

13th Beach was dominant in the open division with five finals wins. Photo: SUPPLIED

THE best IRB crews in the state put their skills to the test in Lorne over the weekend at the 2024 Victorian IRB Championships Worlds Practice Carnival.

The event encompassed 115 races and 20 division finals ranging from Open Women and Open Men events to Masters and Under 23 crews mixing it up among the waves from Friday to Sunday.

Clubs from across the Surf Coast and Bellarine were regular competitors in the events, with Barwon Heads 13th Beach Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) taking out a handful of finals and performing at its usual best.

Clubs from as far apart as Lorne and Elwood were invited to the State Championships.

13th Beach SLSC team Itty Bitties took home two finals, edging out the competition in both the Open Women Mass final and the Open Women Surf final to cap off an impressive showing.

13th Beach SLSC’s ‘A’ team also found success in the championships, overcoming fellow clubmates Bad Boys and South Melbourne’s No Socks to win the Open Men Mass final.

13th Beach SLSC then rounded out the weekend with FIFO winning the Open Men Teams final and Precision Props winning the Open Mixed Relay.

Anglesea SLSC’s Masters crew hoisted its third Best Crew trophy for the year.

The Ocean Grove SLSC team, OE Ocean Grove, was another locally-based standout winner at the event with a final win in the Under 23 Women Teams division.

Teams locally and across the state now turn their attention towards to the Worlds’ Practice Carnival being held from August 17-18.

A location is yet to be determined.