300 of the country's top surf lifesavers descended on Ruakākā beach in Northland over the weekend for the BP Surf Rescue New Zealand IRB Championships. Columba College had two students compete in the championships, and the school is extremely proud to celebrate the success of the Loudon sisters!

The BP Surf Rescue NZ Championships has a proud history of fast, hard, and action-packed racing. The largest IRB competition on the Surf Life Saving calendar, surf athletes from all over the country line up to showcase their surf skills, fitness, and racing expertise. The 2021 National IRB Championships were held at Ruakaka Beach in Northland, and Columba College students Madi Loudon (Year 13) and Amelia Loudon (Year 10) attended the event and came away with some fantastic results.

Included in the championships are several events that require varying degrees of technical skill and physical fitness. With surf and weather conditions constantly changing, it is one of the most exciting competitions on the Surf Life Saving calendar. Madi Loudon competed in a crew with past Columba student, Emily Peacock, and the girls were a formidable force during competition. Competing in five different events over the weekend in the U19 female and open women's categories: Assembly, Tube rescue, Single rescue, Mass rescue and Teams rescue. 

On day one, competitors experienced gale force winds, horizontal rain, and terrible conditions in the water. By all accounts, they were the worst conditions seen at the national event in 28 years. Madi and Emily managed to come away with a bronze medal in the mass rescue final, however, after qualifying first in their heat. This was after multiple boats had flipped and lost crew members. The single rescue race was not the girls' best event, as they missed the patient at the buoy and did not qualify for the final, despite coming home in first place in their heat. Similarly, during the tube rescue, a disqualification for the girls meant they did not qualify for the final. 

Younger sister Amelia Loudon joined with her St. Kilda teammates and competed in the U19 female and mixed teams events over the weekend. Some challenging conditions and unfortunate disqualifications meant Amelia did not come away with any medals, however, some very valuable experience was gained over the course of the weekend. As Mark Ingliss of SLSNZ says: "IRBs are used in countless rescues on New Zealand beaches every year. These races replicate skills needed in real-life rescue scenarios and the athletes taking part in this event are all active surf lifeguards. It's incredibly exciting to watch."

On Day 2, Madi and Emily gained a bronze medal in the teams race final, after coming home in second place during their heat. The highlight of the weekend, however, was without doubt the Assembly rescue race in which Emily and Madi won the gold medal! History was made for their St. Kilda Surf Life Saving Club as it was the FIRST ever women's gold medal achieved in the club's long and proud history. Well done, girls, on yet another stellar performance on, around, and over the surf. 

We congratulate you on your massive effort and achievements over the weekend. What a great sport!