Southern NSW Street Luge Racers wrap up 2016 season | PHOTOS

The group consists of local luge racers from the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla shires, but this season they were joined by racers from the Nowra and Cooma areas. It’s junior membership has also been boosted.

The end of the season saw the local racers achieve their national rankings. In the Street Luge division, Batemans Bay racer Nic McKirdy was placed third in the country, Chris Markwort was eighth, Bill Salmon was 10^th, new member Ken Doyle 11^th, Ken Jacobs 27^th and Jo Jacobs 37^th.

In the Classic Luge division national rankings, Nic McKirdy was again third, Ken Doyle 10^th and Ken Jacobs 12^th.  In the Juniors unofficial rankings, Nick Jacobs was second, equal with Amond Beard but a tie-break point put Amond in front, while new juniors Damon Riggs fourth, Tegan Azzopardi fifth, Ryan Riggs sixth, Kurtis Markwort seventh, Sky Azzopardi eighth and Kane Stokes ninth.

Former Narooma residents the Beard family now living in Queensland also continue to race and father Jason was ranked 29^th in Street Luge, while kids Hannah was third and Ben equal fifth in the juniors. 

The Southern NSW Street Luge Racers now have the rest of the year off but the 2017 season starts with the Launch event held in the Blue Mountains early next year.  The group is always looking for new members and anyone interested in learning more about the sport can visit the “Southern NSW Street Luge Racers” Facebook page.

Street luging rose to fame in the 1990s featuring on the X Games. In classic luge, where street luge originated, all aspects of the wooden board are pretty much restricted, keeping costs down to around $300 and providing a more even playing field where the emphasis is on the rider as opposed to the equipment. With street luge, most of the boards run six to eight wheels, they're usually made of metal and composites and range from $800 up to around $8000 and reach speeds of up to 85km/h.

Local lugers compete in Blue Mountains

Southern street lugers compete at Cherry Bomb: Gallery

Southern racer Nic McKirdy tied equal first in Australian Street Luge Championship