Despite a spirited challenge from North Cronulla SLSC, a fourth straight title is heading back to Lake Macquarie after Caves Beach SLSC triumphed, once again, at the 2026 Sharkskin NSW IRB Championships in Fingal Bay.
Just weeks after finishing the four-round Premiership Series on top of the mountain at Swansea Belmont, racing moved north to Port Stephens on the weekend of 3-5 July where the result would, eventually, turn out to be the same.
The Hunter club finished the weekend on 148 points, just 15 ahead of North Cronulla, and there was a big gap back to third where Newport SLSC beat out Queenscliff SLSC, Kiama Downs SLSC and Thirroul SLSC for the final podium place.
Flat conditions met competitors to open up the carnival, with pure racing the order of the day. Speed and precision were rewarded handsomely before Fingal put on a bit of a wave for finals which separated the competition and made medals that bit harder to achieve.
Part of North Cronulla’s impressive push for a title boilover came from their dominance of the Open Female category, winning each available final, while the U23 female competitors won three of four finals – slipping up only in the Rescue event which was won by Queenscliff SLSC.
Newport showed its strength in the Open Male category, winning two finals, while Kiama Downs’ traditionally strong Masters contingent picked up a number of medals in the Over 35 and O45 categories.
Further down the point score tally, Forster SLSC earned four silver medals on its way to the club’s best ever State Championships result, Ocean Beach SLSC were very impressive in crossing the line first in the Rookie Rescue, and Nobbys SLSC jagged a U23 Male Tube gold medal.
SLSNSW Chair of Surf Sports, Don van Keimpema said the carnival was a fantastic showcase of lifesaving skills.
“This weekend showed the skills and determination across the sport, and it shows that IRB racing is so healthy. I’m really pleased to see where we’re at right now,” he said.
Naming Rights Partner, Sharkskin’s Managing Director, Shane Holliday echoed this feeling.
“We support the IRB community because the IRB community supports us, and we’re so grateful for everyone here and the great spirit of competition,” he said.
To complement its Overall Point Score title, Caves also won the Rodney ‘Rocket’ Williams Memorial Trophy for the Masters Point Score Champions.
Meanwhile, North Cronulla took out the Alistair ‘Slim’ Peebles Memorial Trophy for the U23 Champions and the John Wake Memorial Trophy for the Opens Champions.
Thanks goes to Port Stephens Council for its support of the event this year.
Overall Point Score Tally
Caves Beach – 148
North Cronulla – 133
Newport – 62
Queenscliff – 57
Kiama Downs – 51
Thirroul – 49
Bondi – 31
South Maroubra – 29
Forster – 20
Nobbys – 16
Maroubra – 4
North Avoca – 2
Bungan Beach – 0
Fingal Beach – 0
Ocean Beach – 0
Terrigal – 0
Tuesday 7 July 2026