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Surf Lifesaving Competitions


Surf lifesaving is not all about surveillance patrols, first aid and dealing with the public; there is also a social side to things. Events like carnivals and national competitions play an important part in promoting public awaress of what surf lifesaving clubs do, and they provide a vehicle for clubs to cement relationships with each other and let off some steam.

Boards and Skis Events


Single Surf Ski Race - From a floating start, competitors paddle their surf ski around three buoys and return to the finish line. The finish is judged when any part of the surf ski crosses the finish line with the competitor and their paddle all in contact.

Double Surf Ski Races - From a floating start, competitors (two per ski) paddle their ski around three buoys and return to the finish line. The finish is judged when any part of the ski crosses the finish line with both team members and at least one paddle in contact with the ski.

Malibu Board Races - From the beach (standing start) each competitor enters the water with their surf board, paddles around all buoys and returns to the beach. The winner is judged by the first competitor to cross the finish line on their feet and in contact with their board.

Multi Discipline Event


Ironman/Diamond Lady - The Ironman and Ironwoman events are conducted over a course consisting of three legs, including a swim, surf ski and surf board. The race concludes with a beach sprint to the finish line. The order of the legs may vary and is decided by draw prior to the event.
Taplin Relay - Teams of swimmers, board paddlers and ski paddlers, compete together as a team relay over an Ironman course. The order of the legs may vary and is decided by draw prior to the event.

Beach Events


Beach sprint - competitors race on a straight sand course of approximately 70 - 90metres to the finishing line.
Beach relay - teams of 4 competitors race on a straight sand course of approximately 70 - 90metres with a baton, running one lap each. The final runner of a team over the finish line wins.

Beach flags - competitors start lying on their stomach facing away from a baton/s buried in the sand approximately 15 - 20 metres away. There are always fewer batons than competitors. On the starting gun, competitors rise, turn and race to secure a baton. The competitor(s) who fail to obtain a baton are eliminated. The process repeats until there is a single winner.

2km Beach run - competitors race on a sand course in four laps of 500metres to total approximately 2km.

Inflatable Rescue Boat Rescue


Teams are comprised of one patient, one driver, and one crew member. The patient is positioned on the seaward side of the designated buoy. The driver and crew member are on the beach side of the crew start/finish line adjacent to their beach position indicators. On the starter's signal, the crew launches the IRB, proceeds through the surf to pick up the patient, round the buoy, and return to shore.

March Past


The March Past is one of Surf Life Saving's original events and represents the traditional discipline of a surf lifesaver. Teams, often dressed in full length club swimming costumes, march in time to music around a set course carrying a surf reel, line and belt and following their standard (flag) bearer. Teams march in formation following commands and they are judged on factors such timing, arm and leg swing, space and dressing, body carriage and presentation.

Swimming Events


Surf Race - The Surf Race involves swimmers starting on the beach and then running, wading and swimming about 170 meters to sea to round as set of buoys and then return to the beach. The event concludes with a run finish to the flags placed on the beach.

Belt Race - the Surf Belt race involves the use of the surf reel, line and belt and is one of the most prestigious and traditional races in surf lifesaving competition. The event begins on the beach with the swimmer placing the belt around their waist and towing a surf line out to their allocated buoy and signalling their finish. The Belt swimmer is assisted by three linesmen and a reel handler.

Rescue Tube Race (two person) - the two person rescue tube race is similar to the 4 person rescue tube rescue race except without the assistance of the two rescuers. The patient swims out to the buoy, signals the rescue tube swimmer who then swims out (with the assistance of fins), collects the patient and swim them back to the finish line on the beach.

Run-Swim-Run - this event is run across a normal swimming course with the competitors commencing the race by running approximately 200metres to round a flag on the beach before embarking on a swim around a set of buoys and then back to the beach. Once the competitors complete the swim leg they must then run around the same flag as the start of the race and sprint to the finish.

Links

International Life Saving Competition Manual (for all ILS sanctioned events)

SLSA Wales Stillwater Rulebook (Vers. 1)

SLSA Wales Competition Web Page

Rescue 2010