Lifesavers eye up IRB state championships

South Maroubra SLSC are confident of a top performance at the NSW Inflatable Rescue Boat championships this weekend after ranking well and winning gold on their home beach.

South Maroubra SLSC locked in 6th place and won gold in the Rescue IRB Novice event at the Inflatable Boat Rescue Premierships. They’ll compete at the state titles this weekend. Picture: Glenn Duffus.

South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club’s competition team locked in sixth place in the overall point score at the NSW Inflatable Rescue Boat Premiership at their home beach on Sunday.

About 35 men and women took part in the competition, with Lachlan Falato, ­William Spear and Austin Wem all picking up gold in the Rescue IRB Novice event.

“Our team will be looking to do very well at the state event; going on past championships we’re confident of getting some top placings,” South Maroubra vice president Linda Perrin said.

The IRB Premiership Carnival at South Maroubra beach. Picture: Glenn Duffus.

Coogee SLSC also took top honours in the Novice Rescue and Mass events. The South Maroubra and Coogee club members will be among 300 surf lifesavers set to descend on Mollymook on the NSW south coast this weekend for the state championships.

The national championships will be held at the same beach on July 22.

Meantime, 16-year-old Max McGuigan was the one to beat in the men’s open division at the Southend Maroubra Boardriders event at South Maroubra beach on June 18.

Max McGuigan blitzed the field at the Southend Maroubra Boardriders event at his home beach on June 18. Picture: Cora Bezemer.

Close to 120 surfers from across the south east took part in the event in a 3m to 4m swell described as “fun and competitive waves” by club President Matt Lawson.

“Max was surfing against guys aged up to about 40 ... it’s a pretty good scalp for him,” Lawson said.

2013 junior state title winner Monty Tait finished in second place, while renowned southender Tye Koolis won the junior division for 14 to 18 year olds.