Kirra SLSC entered 4 male and 2 female teams in the IRB competition recently held at the South Pacific Championships, Kirra Beach, on Sunday 20th December, 2009.

The Kirra team was capably led by Andrew “Homie” McAuliffe on the day and came up with some spirited competition and very pleasing results overall. Opening rounds for the Male Mass Rescue and Male Surf Rescue saw early success for Ivo Garofalo and Anthony “Chocco” Cassone, teamed together in Kirra 3, Kyle Davis and James Callaghan, Kirra 4, (both through to Round 2 for Surf Rescue) and Homie and Joel Kinneally, Kirra 2 (Mass Rescue). Unfortunately for Kirra 1, Glen Edmonds and Garry “Porky” Ferreira, they were stuck on the sand at the start of their Surf Rescue event and failed to progress, despite a strong showing in the water.

Gavin Gear, Gabby Kinneally, Rhys O’Neill, Annabel Dewar, Ryan Tracey, Amanda Elms and Belinda Elms spent these early rounds in the water as the ever important patients.

On to the Male Tube and this proved to be one of the success stories on the day, winning their way through to the Semi Finals and eventually the Final with exceptional swimming from James, giving his driver Joel and patient Amanda every chance at sharing medal placing in this first carnival for the season.

Round 2 and our girls got their first showing in the boats, with success for both Mass Rescue teams, Belinda and Amanda (Kirra 1) and Gabby and Annabel (Kirra 2). Kirra 2 also progressed through to the semis in their Surf Rescue event, while Belinda and Amanda were disqualified in highly controversial circumstances. Here it was the boys’ turn to support the girls as patients. Joining these teams in the semis were Kirra 2 in the Male Mass, after a great race in their 2nd round, Kirra 4 in the Male Surf Rescue with an equally impressive round 2 performance, and the first showing for our Female Tube team of Belinda and Amanda, with James as patient, and the 2 Male Teams Rescue combinations.

With the entire squad either in the water competing, or retired for the day to complete their patrol commitments, the Kirra spirit was on show for all to see!! Although no medals came our way in the Finals, it was a tremendous way to finish the day. Belinda put her earlier disappointment behind her to drive her tube team to 4th place! Club Captain Kyle was equally as impressive in his Surf Rescue final, until he encountered some unexpected mechanical difficulties on dismounting, prior to his sprint to the finish line...enough said about that!! Both the Male Tube and Female Teams competitors were also very pleased at how their day turned out.

For this Team Manager in his first carnival for the club, it was a privilege to work with such an enthusiastic team, and many thanks for Cameron Peters’ helping hand during the day and the whole team’s support in every way. Here’s to continued success across our extended season!!

Laurie Cavill Team Manager