Kiama Downs SLSC has turned a string of strong showings on the water into enough points to reclaim first place from Caves Beach after Round 2 of the 2022 Sharkskin NSW IRB Premiership at Bulli.

Coming into the second round of the series with a 15-point lead earned in tricky conditions at Terrigal a fortnight ago, Caves Beach finished the round seven points behind their heavyweight South Coast opponents – mustering 98 points against Kiama Downs’ 118 for overall points totals of 224 and 231 respectively.

Rounding out the top three this weekend was Terrigal, who built on the points they gained in their home race to claim third on the overall standings as well – overtaking Newport who, after finishing third in round one, fell outside the top four this weekend with a fast-finishing Thirroul taking fourth place.

Thirroul did not compete in the first round, so their impressive tally at Bulli is only enough for an eighth place overall.

Speaking during the event, Kiama Downs competitor Kirsty Honey acknowledged the value of the competitive element of racing, while flagging the importance of the event for lifesaving skill development.

“Obviously the skills that come out of this racing are pretty vital and we’ll be able to act on it pretty quick,” she said. 

“It’s just like the timeliness of the rescues and knowing the skills and how to navigate the surf, particularly when it’s big surf.”

She said the conditions helped her team to gather the points necessary to leapfrog Caves Beach into first place overall.

“It’s a little bit easier in these conditions,” she said. 

“Just knowing how to read the waves and knowing how to time when to punch through them and that sort of thing.”

Flynn Wallace-Smith – competing for Caves Beach – said the team would come back stronger in round three when the IRB Premiership moves further south to Broulee.

“I really support this group and we do all right,” he said. 

He said of the club’s support for IRB racing: “it’s always good to keep coming back. We do what we can and try to help the community as much as we can.”

The next round of the Sharkskin NSW IRB Premiership will take place at Broulee Surfers on the weekend of 11-12 June.

OVERALL POINT SCORE AFTER ROUND 2

Kiama Downs – 231

Caves Beach – 224

Terrigal – 154

Newport – 144

Queenscliff – 85

North Cronulla – 75

South Maroubra – 75

Thirroul – 66

Avalon – 52

Nobbys – 46

Maroubra – 40

North Avoca – 22

Helensburgh Stanwell Park – 16

Bondi – 6

Bungan Beach – 3

Coogee – 0

Ocean Beach – 0