Two of four 2026 Sharkskin NSW Inflatable Rescue Boat Premiership rounds are in the books, with teams passing the halfway mark and chasing incumbent champions, Caves Beach SLSC back towards the finish line.
The Hunter club built a strong first round lead at Warilla Barrack Point, with more than 50 points separating themselves from North Cronulla SLSC in second place when teams departed the South Coast, and that lead has ballooned significantly after making the most of the conditions at Terrigal Beach during Round 2 on the NSW Central Coast.
While Caves looks to run away with the Premiership for a fourth successive year, the most intriguing battle continues to play out amongst the minor placings.
16 points separates two through five, with North Cronulla hanging onto second spot by a whisker while Newport SLSC, Thirroul SLSC and last year’s runners up, Kiama Downs SLSC all sustained big pushes in Terrigal.
Newport, in particular, impressed on the Central Coast with their Open Male Tube team, their O35 Female Mass team, and their U23 Male Teams squad among the race winners.
For the club from the Illawarra, Thirroul’s Duck Duck Goose team jagged a win in the O35 Female Rescue and the Anchor Management boys in the O35 Males won their Tube race, however the club’s consistency in gaining points across the categories will hold them in good stead coming into the final two race weekends.
Results of note from across the beach included the small but mighty Forster SLSC squad taking out the Rookie Mass and Rescue categories, Bondi SBLSC’s Head Gaskets was quickest back to the beach in the O45 Open Teams, and Nobbys SLSC’s Chill Proof won the U23 Male Tube race.
Competition continues on 30 and 31 May when Queenscliff hosts Round 3 of the series, before all teams move to Swansea Belmont for the final round across the weekend of 20-21 June.
OVERALL CLUB POINT SCORE AFTER ROUND 2
Caves Beach SLSC – 283
North Cronulla SLSC – 185
Thirroul SLSC – 178
Newport SLSC – 177
Kiama Downs SLSC – 169
Bondi SBLSC – 150
Queenscliff SLSC – 129
South Maroubra SLSC – 123
Nobbys SLSC – 67
Forster SLSC – 61
Maroubra SLSC – 38
North Avoca SLSC – 33
Terrigal SLSC – 18
Bungan Beach SLSC – 9
Fingal Beach SLSC – 2
Ocean Beach SLSC – 0
Tuesday 19 May 2026