IRBs are purpose-built rescue boats used by lifeguards around the world - and they're a vital part of how we keep people safe at Paekākāriki.

We have 55 members with their Crewperson's Award and 26 with their IRB Driver's Award. These skilled teams support our patrols and respond to rescues along the coast.

In competition, IRBs test speed, boat handling, and the ability to work as a tight crew in challenging ocean conditions across five disciplines designed around rescue scenarios: Single Rescue, Mass Rescue, Assembly Rescue, Tube Rescue and Teams Rescue. 

Getting Involved

To get your IRB Crewpwersons Award, you will need to be an active member who is 14 years old or above. You'll complete an online pre-leanring moulde and attend lessons focused on setting up an IRB, health & safety around the boats, fuel, single person rescues and theory work. You'll also have to demonstrate crew skills. With all of this under your belt you'll do an exam to get your award.

You can then progress to the IRB Drivers Award. This course is run by club instructors and is designed to develop competent and skilled drivers who can respond to rescue situations in challenging surf conditions.

Keen on competing?

We're looking forward to continuing to grow our IRB racing space over the next few years. If you're keen to get involved, head down to the IRB shed for a yarn, or talk to Mac or Ally.

In a crew of two for competitons, the driver must have held their IRB Drivers Award for at least 2 years, and the crewperosn must hold a current IRB Crewpersons Award.