South Island IRB competition hunts out top crews

Photo: Trev Hill

IRB crews from Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s Southern Region will be put to the test at the BP South Island IRB Championships this Saturday.

The annual competition will be filled with hard, fast, and action-packed inflatable rescue boat (IRB) racing.

It is being held two weeks before the New Zealand Championships, so crews from throughout the South Island will be keen to showcase their surf skills, fitness and experience.

The competition includes several events, requiring varying levels of technical skill and physical fitness.

With surf and weather conditions constantly changing, this type of competition is one of the more exciting competitions on the Surf Life Saving calendar.

Photo: Trev Hill

It is being held at Waikouaiti Beach, Dunedin on Saturday, March 21.

Members of the public are invited to attend and celebrate the skills and experience of some of Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s very best IRB crews as they compete for their friends and against their fellow athletes.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand is following the Ministry of Health’s advice regarding COVID-19 and events and mass gatherings. At this stage the BP South Island IRB Championships will continue as scheduled.

Organisers are asking competitors and members of the public not to attend if they have any infectious signs and symptoms (cough, cold, fever, etc.), or have travelled to, from and through any country (excluding those listed in Category 2) in the last 14 days.

Photo: Trev Hill

<END>

If media would like to attend the BP South Island IRB Championships, please contact Media and Communications Manager Melanie Louden for event accreditation.
021 757 433
melanie.louden@surflifesaving.org.nz

Event name: BP South Island IRB Championships

Where: Waikouaiti Beach, Dunedin

When: Saturday, March 21, 2020, from 8am

Who:

• 94 competitors
• 35 crews
  • 18 women’s crews
  • 17 men’s crews

Divisions:

• Under 19 Men
• Under 19 Women
• Under 23 Men
• Under 23 Women
• Open Men
• Open Women

 Events:

• Single Rescue
• Assembly Rescue
• Mass Rescue
• Tube Rescue
• Team Rescue (Open divisions only)

 Competing clubs:

• Brighton Surf Life Saving Club
• St Clair Surf Life Saving Club
• St Kilda Surf Life Saving Club
• Sumner Surf Life Saving Club
• Taylors Mistake Surf Life Saving Club
• Waimairi Surf Life Saving Club
• Warrington Surf Life Saving Club

For more information please contact:

Melanie Louden
Media and Communications Manager
Surf Life Saving New Zealand
021 757 433
melanie.louden@surflifesaving.org.nz