IRB racing
IRB racing consists of a number of simulated rescue events, with the aim of improving lifesaver skills through competition.
(ii) Encourage crews to correctly equip and maintain their IRB and motors for optimum safe performance and reliability for both lifesaving patrol duties and competition.
Typically Competition takes place at carnivals that are held at different beaches, spread out over the off-season, between the months of April and July.
Starting in the early 1970s, the events were continuously refined until 1976, when Surf Life Saving Australia endorsed a set of IRB competition guidelines.
Due to mounting safety concerns relating to IRB racing, competition was suspended for a period of two years, beginning at the end of the 2000/2001 season.
Upon firing of the starter's gun, the driver and crew person would run up to the boat and swing it around, dragging it to an appropriate depth for launching.
As a result of the Safety Review, the rules were modified to call for the craft to be placed at the water's edge, nose facing out to sea.
Scrutineering involves inspecting and checking the craft, the motor, and accessories (including fuel type) for compliance to the specifications outlined in competition guidelines.
Officials look for modifications to the motor, confirm correct fuel type, and check that all craft carry the minimum list of IRB accessories.
Marshalling is performed approximately 10 minutes prior to an event's commencing, to ensure all participating team members (driver, crew person and patient) are present and accounted for.
The moment the motor fires up, the crew person jumps inside the boat, grabs the rope handle, and positions himself or herself ready for the patient pick up.
Once the craft is within 10 metres of the patient, the driver will back the speed off slightly while the crew person leans out across the port side pontoon, preparing his or her left arm to form a solid hook.
The driver then turns sharply around the buoy and the entire team prepares for a quick dash back to the shore by ducking down into the boat as far as possible to reduce their wind resistance.
As the craft hits the beach, the driver must 'kill', or stop, the motor, exit the boat and make a final dash to the finish line to complete the race.
The Surf Rescue is performed in both male and female categories and is the most anticipated and fiercely competitive event of the entire carnival.
Specifically, the Mass Rescue involves picking up two different patients, in separate trips to the buoy, with a simulated driver changeover in between.
During the driver's run, the rescued patient exits the boat, and the crew person turns the IRB around to face the surf once again.
Once the second patient has been successfully picked up and the IRB has returned to shore, the driver cuts the motor, places it into neutral, exits the boat and runs over the finish line to complete the race.
As the craft passes around the right side of the buoy, the crew person, with the lanyard of the rescue tube looped over his body, disembarks into the water.
The crew person will climb into the craft and when both are in the boat, the driver must commence an anti-clockwise turn of the buoy before proceeding back to the shore.
This race is very dynamic, as it does not always come down to the fastest craft or first team off the start line; often the outcome is determined by which crew person is the stronger swimmer.
The race is complete when the secondary team has successfully returned to the beach, the driver has exited the boat and has run across the finish line.
