Evans Head-Casino Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) in northern NSW wins new inflatable rescue boat in Ampol giveaway

A Northern Rivers surf life saving club which used inflatable rescue boats to go above and beyond in the record 2022 floods has taken home a prized new vessel in a Gold Coast competition.

A Northern Rivers surf life saving club which used inflatable rescue boats to go above and beyond in the 2022 floods is one of two clubs to take home a prized new vessel in a Gold Coast competition.

Evans Head-Casino SLSC and Batemans Bay SLSC have been named the winners of Ampol’s Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Hull giveaway this year.

The northern NSW club’s new IRB was on proud display on Saturday at Surf Life Saving Australia’s Sharkskin IRB National Championships, which took over Miami Beach from July 18-21.

Evans Head-Casino SLSC president Michael Pontefract, Elyse McMasters, Aidan Yourell, Caelan Cooper, Christine Warren, and Ampol’s Shane Mangan.

Evans Head-Casino SLSC were nominated for the giveaway by volunteer patrolling members who helped with rescue efforts during the 2022 floods.

The club’s inflatable boats were critical during widespread rescue efforts as flood waters reached unprecedented heights.

The IRBs allowed rescuers to navigate through dirty floodwater which devastated up to 95 per cent of the households in Woodburn area, 10km from Evans Heads.

The blow-up craft were used to scoop people from rooves and rescue up to 100 people.

SLSC members helping out during the 2022 floods.

Evans Head-Casino SLSC club captain Michael Pontefract, expressed his gratitude and said the inflatable would make a massive difference.

“We are privileged to be one of the recipients of the Ampol branded IRB, which will ensure that our club and volunteers can continue to support the local community and help train our young members,” he said.

“In the 2022 floods, our IRB was essential in the rescue efforts and this new IRB will help protect our community on the beaches and also in times of natural disaster.”

The boats proved critical during the floods.

In it’s third year the IRB Competition attracted over 620 responses, the event highlighting the need for critical lifesaving gear.

IRBs are used by surf lifesavers nationwide and were used in almost 950 rescues last year.

The boats help multiple lifesavers to quickly attend to a rescue in challenging conditions.

Australian Surf Life Savers in action on an inflatable rescue boat (IRB). Picture: File

The Gold Coast event drew more than 816 competitors from 42 surf clubs.

Ampol chief brand officer Jenny O’Regan said the company was “proud” to provide the new IRBs and wished lifesavers “all the best for the beach patrol season ahead”.

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