Kiama Downs (NSW) won three gold medals in a close Masters Competition Final in the 2024 SHARKSKIN Australian IRB Championships on Saturday, 20 July.

The Illawarra club also bagged two silvers and a bronze to finish atop the overall podium on 38 total points.

Broadbeach SLSC (QLD) came in second with 27 points and Alexandra Headland (QLD) third with 25 points.  

Key to Kiama Downs’ success was Stephen Strong, who after 40 years of competing for the club, has announced his retirement from the sport of IRB racing.  

“To retire on a win like this, you can’t script it,” he said to Surf Life Saving Australia. “People dream about it and I’m very lucky. 

“I’m just over the moon.” 

Adding to the occasion was getting the win over rivals Broadbeach. “There are only two clubs on the trophy, us and Broadbeach,” Strong said. 

“We’ve had a bit of a battle for the last couple of years, we won it, then they held onto it for a few years. 

“But it's nice to get it back, that’s pretty special.” 

In his swansong National IRB Championships, Strong added another gold (Male Teams Rescue) and a silver (Male Surf Race) to his medal cabinet.  

2024 Masters Championship Pointscore

Kiama Downs – 39 points 

Broadbeach – 28 points 

Alexandra Headland – 25 points 

Caves Beach 22 – points 

Bondi 14 – points 

Kurrawa 13 – points 

Queenscliff 7 – points 

Thirroul 6 – points 

Port Noarlunga 4 – points 

Kirra 3 – points 

Nobbys (NSW) 3 – points 

Brighton 2 – points 

Barwon Heads 13th Beach 1 – point