After an impressive Premiership Series win, the South Coast club was able to continue their form into the NSW Championships to beat Caves Beach and end the Hunter club’s 10 year reign on the title in year 11 years.
“Our State Championships curse has been lifted,” said Kiama Downs IRB Team Manager Steven Guy.
Despite Kiama Downs winning by 17 points ahead of their main rivals, Caves Beach, every race was closer than expected with a host of clubs picking up medals.
Kiama Down’s Open Male team did the clean sweep winning all four gold medals, while their Under 23s finished with two gold and the Over 35s took home a gold medal in the Rescue event.
“Most of our medals from the weekend actually came from our B teams so it’s a good indicator of the depth we have as a club,” Steven Guy said.
“Having two or three teams entered in each event is what gave us the edge over our opposition.”
In other results, Caves Beach won the Open Female Rescue and U23 Mixed Tube while third placed Catherine Hill Bay crossed the line first in the 35+ and U23 Mixed Teams. Newcastle surprised their field and finished on top in the 35+ Mixed Tube.
Thirroul’s Open Female team continued their outstanding form over the weekend, blitzing their opposition in the Mass, Tube and Teams events.
Coogee’s Novice team, By Default, cruised to victory in both their events making it two starts and two gold medals in the Mixed Mass and Rescue. South Maroubra picked up a gold medal in the 35+ Mixed Tube.
Shoalhaven City Council Assistant Deputy Mayor, Allan Baptist OAM presented the medals and plaques to the winning teams and clubs after the Championships concluded on Sunday afternoon.
The focus for NSW clubs now turns to the Australian Championships coming up at Mollymook later this month as well as the Interstate Championships. The NSW team was announced yesterday afternoon with a strong contingent of 34 surf lifesavers selected, including two members of the Kiama Downs team.
“We came second at Aussies last year behind North Burleigh SLSC who are going to be very hard to beat but if we can pull off a few wins it would be good to finish in a similar position again.”
Surf Life Saving NSW Sports Manager, Rob Pidgeon says he’s very thankful to Mollymook SLSC for hosting a great event.
“The conditions were on our side over the weekend and Mollymook proved once again to be a fantastic host for such events,” Rob Pidgeon said.
The Interstate Championships kick off on Friday 22 July with the Australian Championships beginning in the afternoon and continuing over the weekend at Mollymook SLSC.
Photos
Thursday 5 July 2016