IRB Wave Punching

Video demonstrating the lock in position for going through Green Waves, or waves that have not broken yet.
Lock in position is used by IRB Crew persons to punch through green unbroken waves. It should generally be timed just as the wave impacts the IRB. Doing it too soon sometimes brings the nose of the IRB down and can hinder the boats ability to get through the wave.

[@muddymad5864]

Awesome training dude, it’s really cool to see the difference between how you guys handle waves at south narra compared to us at Newport!

[@iMadenid]

what size RIB is being used for racing. and where can I buy a cage/fan cage for safety from any sea creatures. greetings from Jakarta Indonesia.

[@Sam72739]

Question for ya. Light crew, and a wave curling on u, why do you teach crews to be static and just sit on the nose? Every club has their own style and if it works it works. I’ve always been taught, and taught to actually punch the wave, ie hip and shoulder the bow at the same time the wave hits, literally punching the boat through the wave, then bounce back to land on ur feet, ready to go for the next one, we call it active and static crewing, active is moving constantly, and static is just sitting there waiting to get smoked. Is there a benefit to “static” crewing that you’ve noticed? Or just fresh crewies that you’re trying to get the basics covered?

[@thegrowthparamedic]

Great points there Sam, active crewing that would be the expected method when during live rescues or training. In this case, this IRB crew member was still learning the ropes and getting comfortable in the position

[@caitlin2178]

I would love to get your explanation on how you want him to lock in? To me he doesn't seem to lock it at all, he is falling onto the floor every time and if you get any decent air/ hit a solid wave he's gonna be out, if not with broken a foot or ankle.

[@thegrowthparamedic]

Hey Caitlin, with any wave you will get air time, fundamentally the lock in position is placing your upper body at the front, placing your right knee under the flap where the fuel is stored and placing the rope handle across the body and locking it with your left hand acting as a seat belt. At 5:55 you can see this position in place, however ideally his right knee would be deeper into the cover flap for additional security/protection. Having that knee/leg in is important in reducing yourchance of 'falling' onto the floor as you're less likely to get air

[@caitlin2178]

@@thegrowthparamedic Thanks, that's interesting to hear. That 5:55 moment you talk about I would have said that his knee isn't really jammed against the spray dodger at all, most of his weight is resting into that foot and that he is at a high risk of foot or ankle injury. We train out crewies to jam their knee under the spray dodger with their lower leg across the boat so their weight is still over the pontoon, that way when they land they absorb the force and are still locked in for the next wave rather than slipping to the floor. Regardless its interesting to see how different clubs across different states train :)

[@thegrowthparamedic]

@@caitlin2178 Great points and it is interesting to see other state training processes. Definitely safety of the crew is our main concern and we'll review the locked-in technique guidelines in our upcoming IRB Crew/Driver course

[@dawggonevidz9140]

Solid training, lots of positive reinforcement, good skills on display. Miss my clubby days.

[@shxrkfivem]

Do more vids

[@jerseyshorefireresponse]

any recommendations for fast water drainage, on my ten ft irb if I got one wave have so much water in the boat..

[@thegrowthparamedic]

Most IRB's have two drainage holes at the back of the IRB covered by flaps! When we get a lot of water in the boat, I tend to accelerate for a bit and let the momentum push the water to the back of the IRB and into the drainage holes, normally works great at quickly getting most of the water out

[@jakobcrockett8008]

We always say my way your way at my beach

[@shaneodriscoll198]

His weight is in the centre of the boat to much. He needs his weight out the cre side more when punching. If they stand up the boat is gone over.