The Kiama Downs Inflatable Row Boat (IRB) Team went back-to-back over the weekend, securing their second overall Australian Masters Championship in as many years.

The team has now claimed the national title six times in the past eight years, regaining the crown in 2024 after a narrow miss in 2023.

The 15-member squad came from behind at South West Rocks, surging to the lead midway through the finals and holding off a strong challenge from Broadbeach and Caves Beach.

The highlight of the day for the club was a gold medal in the Masters Male Mass Rescue, earned by a team made up of Nathan Foster, Troy Kirkby, Maria Flor Santana De Castro and Georgina Thomas.

Vice-captain Steve Strong said it was a massive achievement for a club of Kiama Downs’ size.

“It's always special as a small club to take on the race against clubs with 50 or 60 competitors and enormous budgets,” said Strong.

The national trophies that Kiama Downs SLSC brought home with them. Photo: Kiama Downs SLSC

“To be able to do it on a fairly tight budget, with not a lot of gear - it means a lot. It’s really special. Satisfying is probably the best way I could put it.”

In the end, Kiama Downs scraped through for the win, finishing on a total of 31 points. Close behind were Broadbeach on 29, and Caves Beach with 28.

“It was very tight,” Strong said. “It was neck and neck until the final event against those two big clubs. Caves Beach probably had about 50 competitors, and I’m not sure about Broadbeach - but they seemed to be everywhere on the day, so I’m assuming a lot.”

Strong said the team’s success highlights not just competitive skill, but also the club’s rescue readiness.

“The rescue concept is what the competition's based on. So knowing that we’ve got very efficient crews on the beach at Kiama Downs doing their thing through the summer months is very comforting,” he said.

With celebrations wrapping up, the crew will now begin preparations for the start of the patrol season in early September.